“Making a Difference: Families and Consumers Shaping Policy”

1. “Making a Difference: Families and Consumers Shaping Policy” 2008 Family & Consumer Community Outreach Initiative

2. Substance Abuse Advocacy Workshops • From 2006-2008, Substance Abuse Advocacy Workshops were held in Huntsville, Dothan, Mobile, Birmingham, Anniston, Hamilton, Montgomery and Walker County • Workshops were conducted at: • AL School of Alcohol and other Drug Studies • AL Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association Prevention Conference • National Recovery Oriented Systems of Care Meeting in South Carolina • AL Community MH Boards Conference • National Assoc. of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse Directors Conference • AL Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association Fall Conference

3. Substance Abuse Advocacy Workshops • The purpose of the workshops are to: • Discuss ways to reduce the stigma associated with substance abuse and substance use • Provide an understanding of substance abuse prevention and treatment funding sources • Teach effective skills that will enhance communication with legislators and community leaders • Learn the importance of the role of the substance abuse consumer in the decision-making process • Give consumers the opportunity to voice their concerns and ideas

4. How do we Reduce Stigma and Have our Voice Heard? • ANSWER: Grassroots Advocacy • What is it? • Community activism on a local level • Public policy can be changed or improved • Misconceptions can be reduced

5. Advocacy works when……. • You are persistent! • You have a unified voice! • You don’t give up! • You have leaders! • You stay on top of the issues! • You keep relationships going! The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

6. Understanding the Legislative Process… Advocates must be Prepared!

7. The Basics… • The AL Senate has 35 members. Each Senator represents a district of approximately 125,000 Alabamians. • The AL House of Representatives has 105 members. Each member represents a district of approximately 40,000 people. • Key Committees- Appropriation Committees for General Fund and Education Budgets for House and Senate, Judiciary, Rules, Health and Public Safety • The Legislature usually meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a maximum of 30 meeting days within a period of 105 calendar days. Committee meetings can be scheduled on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, but the majority of meetings are held on Wednesday. • The 2009 regular session will convene on Feb. 3rd and end on May 18th

8. Factors that Play a Role in Legislation • People • Lobbyists • Time • Money • Politics

9. Funding for Substance Abuse Services…Where does it come from?

10. Federal Funds- 61% The remaining 39% comes from State General Fund- Education Trust Fund Local Funds Sources of Revenue for Substance Abuse Treatment Services in Alabama

11. Sources of Revenue to the General Fund FY 2007

12. Appropriation of State General Fund for FY 2007

13. Substance Abuse Dollars in Alabama • For every $1.00 spent on treatment and prevention of substance abuse, $34.98 is spent in other public programs for substance abuse related or caused issues. • Other state agencies spend considerable portions of their budgets on citizens with addictions

14. Substance Abuse Dollars in Alabama* State funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment services in Alabama are inadequate : Approximately 300,000 Alabamians are estimated to need substance abuse treatment. Approximately 25,000 Alabamians are admitted for treatment in the public system each year. Approximately 600 Alabamians are on waiting lists for residential substance abuse treatment. Approximately ½ of those on waiting lists will not be admitted for treatment within the same year. Prevention activities are not available statewide.* See references

15. Substance Abuse Dollars in Alabama

16. Building Relationships with Public Officials BE ACTIVE! GET INVOLVED!

17. Building Relationships with Public Officials • Before meeting with public officials, it is important to know who they are and what district they represent • www.legislature.state.al.us- Zip Code Look Up • Here are some tips for building relationships: • Know how to identify and contact your local representatives • Try not to confront, challenge or put anyone on the defensive when meeting with public officials • Earn and nurture respect between you and your representatives • Build relationships BEFORE you need to call for help

18. Enhancing Communication with Public Officials

19. Enhancing Communication with Public Officials • Developing a Personal Message • Get to the Heart, then to the Head

20. Enhancing Communication with Public Officials • What Sticks?

21. Enhancing Communication with Public Officials • Developing a Personal Message 1.)Tell your story--- you have something valuable to contribute 2.) Communicate your issues or concerns 3.) Present the facts- don’t make it up! 4.) Make your message your own- be candid 5.) Be positive and provide suggestions or solutions – IF you ask for help, be prepared to offer some help

22. Enhancing Communication with Public Officials • Meeting with Elected Officials • You can go to meetings or forums where your elected officials will be • You can invite your local official to come to your meeting or visit your local center • You can schedule an appointment to meet with your official in their local district office

23. Enhancing Communication with Public Officials • Writing Letters • Writing a letter is an effective way to communicate a problem that needs resolving, show support or opposition to an issue or thank someone for a job well done • Letters written in your own words make a big impact • A letter can be handwritten or typed • A letter needs to be brief and to the point • Clearly state your reasons for writing • Do your homework…understand the issue and how it affects your life • Thank the person for his or her attention to the letter • Include your name, address and signature to your letter • You can also email or fax your letter

24. Enhancing Communication with Public Officials • Making a Phone Call • When you make a call, identify yourself, where you live and the reason for calling • Always be brief • Have your information written down to help you • Always thank your elected official in advance and always be courteous

25. Sustaining Your Message

26. The Importance of Follow Up • Always follow up after making a new contact • Write a follow up letter that includes what you discussed in your meeting, your initial letter or your phone call • In your letter, always thank the person for their time • Later on, write thank you notes especially when you notice positive change • Provide ongoing communication by mailing newsletters or updates with a personal note attached • You can send holiday cards and invitations to community events • Never forget to foster the relationships you have established

27. HELPFUL RESOURCES • Official Website of the AL State Legislature www.legislature.state.al.us; Click on “Zip Code Look Up” to find out who represents you • Contacting Your Federal Congressmen http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ or www.congress.org • State and Local Government- www.statelocalgov.net • FORMLL- www.formll.org (Local advocacy organization) • AL Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation www.mh.alabama.gov • 100 North Union Street / P.O. Box 301410 • Montgomery, AL 36130-1410 • 1-800-367-0955 • Fax Number: (334) 242-0725 (general information) • Official Website of the State of Alabama www.alabama.gov • Governor of Alabama www.governor.state.al.usGovernor Bob Riley State Capitol, 600 Dexter Ave.Montgomery, AL 36130-2751Phone: (334) 242-7100Fax: (334) 353-0004

28. AL Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Contacts: Jane Davis, Director, Office of Legislative and Constituent Affairs 334-242-3107 jane.davis@mh.alabama.gov Shannon Weston Byrd, Office of Policy and Planning 334-353-7576 shannon.weston-byrd@mh.alabama.gov

29. References • Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Substance Abuse Services Division – Needs Assessment Study • Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Substance Abuse Services Division – FY 2004-2005 Client Services Profile. • Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Substance Abuse Services Division – FY 2004-2005 Waiting List Profile • Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Substance Abuse Services Division • National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. (2001). Shoveling up: The impact of substance abuse on state budgets. Page #32. New York, NY.

30. Thank You for Your Participation!