Advocacy & Public Policy

Below is material on advocacy, links to how to stay informed about state and federal public policy and on legislation affecting families and children with special health care needs. Summaries of parent listening sessions from the Circles of Life conference in 2008 and 2009 are also included. For more resources on advocacy training, go to Training Opportunities and Parent/Youth Leadership.

Documents to Download

• Advocating for Systems Change
  A presentation by Family Voices of Wisconsin on how to be an effective advocate, Sept. 2009
• Did You Know? Now You Know! Module V: Advocating for Systems Change
• You Are An Advocate for Your Child
• The Benefits of Families as Advisors
• Advisory Roles Parents Can Play
  
  

In-Depth Information

• Insurance Changes in WI That Impact CYSHCN - 2010
• Legislation Affecting Children with Disabilities
  
• State Budget 2009-2011
• COMPASS: Long-Term Supports for Children with Disabilities: Redesign of the System
  
  

Related Links

• Council on Children with Long Term Support Needs
• Disability Advocates: Wisconsin Network (DAWN)
  A resource for statewide public policy and legislation affecting people with disabilities.
• National Family Voices Legislative Action Center
  Resources on national legislative issues affecting children with special health care needs.
  
  

Parent Listening Sessions

• Parent Listening Session 2010 - Summary of comments from 2010 Parent/Provider Listening Session at the Circles of Life Conference April 29, 2010
• Parent Listening Session 2009
  Summary of Comments from 2009 Parent/Provider Listening Session at the Circles of Life Conference April 30, 2009.
• Parent Listening Session 2008
  Summary of Comments from 2008 Parent/Provider Listening Session at the Circles of Life Conference April 24, 2008.