Why Advocacy?

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Promoting your program efforts

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Childhood injury prevention advocacy can help us promote safety in our communities. However, many of us are restricted from participating in lobbying activities. The key is in the definition of “lobbying” versus “advocating”. Lobbying is defined as “communicating with a member or staff of a legislative body, a government official, or employee who may participate in the formulation of legislation; or the general public with the specific intention of promotion a yes or no vote on a particular piece of legislation” (CDPH, 2008). This means that if you are communicating for the sole purpose of influencing legislation, you are lobbying. On the other hand, if you are educating legislators, their staff, government employees, or the general public about your program or injury-related issue, you are NOT lobbying, you are advocating.

CIPN defines advocacy as a way to educate policymakers about injury-related topics and programs. We can use advocacy to raise awareness of injury prevention issues and educate policy makers on ways to advance childhood injury prevention to ensure the safety of our children and communities.

Creating change takes time and commitment. Passion and commitment to childhood injury prevention are only part of the solution. Advocating and educating at all decision levels are vital for change to occur.

The following is a list of advocacy resources:

• “A” Frame for Advocacy, The INFO Project
  This website provides a detailed framework for advocacy.
• California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health (CCCSH)
  CCCSH is a California children’s advocacy organization that works to educate the public and advance public policy related to unintentional injury and the safety and health of California’s children.
• Conducting Advocacy Research, The Community Tool Box
  This section of the Community Tool Box website provides general information on how to conduct advocacy research and how this research can help prove your case.
• NP Action
  This online resource provides tools and information for nonprofit advocacy.
• Principles of Advocacy, The Community Tool Box
  This section of the Community Tool Box website outlines different tasks involved in planning an advocacy campaign.
• Public Health Advocacy Materials, ASTHO
  This website provides materials for ASTHO’s advocacy efforts.
• Public Health Advocacy Toolkit, Research America
  This toolkit can be used to promote your own organization’s prevention and public health efforts.
• STIPDA Advocacy
  This section of the STIPDA website provides information on advocacy and STIPDA's policy resolutions.