Advocacy is an important skill and activity for public health education and promotion students and professionals to use for shaping the public policy that addresses today's ongoing and emerging public health issues. Advocacy approaches range from meeting with legislators, informing decision-makers, mobilizing stakeholders, supporting and listening to communities, inspiring action through stories, and motivating voters.
SOPHE Midwest uses Area of Responsibility V: Advocacy of the Hierarchical Model of Professional Practice for Health Education Specialists to guide our advocacy efforts.
Advocacy
What is Advocacy?
Learn more about Advocacy from our point of view and ways that you can get involved in leading change.
Created and Narrated by Carrie LaChance
Check out The Community Toolbox for other ideas on how to get started with advocacy.
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Why Policy Matters
You can consider using policy to make an impact at the population level in your community, state, or nation.
Explore CDC’s Policy Process to learn more about a systematic way to do this through five domains.
STAY INFORMED:
Missouri and Kansas Legislation
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​Recap: Missouri and Kansas 2021 Legislative Sessions (HealthForward Foundation)
Recap: Missouri 2021 Legislative Session (Missouri Foundation for Health)
Missouri Independent News Organization
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TAKE ACTION:
Who are your legislators?
Click the following interactive links to find your legislators: Missouri & Kansas
Then, click on your representative to find their contact information.
Through Project Vote Smart you can learn about your candidates and elected officials in five basic categories: biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances, and interest group ratings. Go to vote-smart.org for more information.
The Missouri and Kansas General Assembly will provide you with information on how to determine your legislator, their contact information, bill watch information, useful links, current session information, and much more. The website is a great resource for Public Health Education Students and Professionals to learn more about Missouri and Kansas state governments.
SOPHE is committed to educating policy-makers on national and state legislative issues related to the health of society. As health educators, constituents, and community members, your involvement in the policy formation process is very important.
Resolutions- SOPHE’s advocacy and resolutions committee creates resolutions to guide the organization’s advocacy activities.
Testimony- SOPHE submits testimony to Congressional committees on issues related to SOPHE’s advocacy priorities including health education and health promotion activities.
Comments-SOPHE comments on draft regulations that align with SOPHE’s advocacy priorities, issues that affect SOPHE’s members or public health.
Article- Advocacy 101: Getting Started in Health Education Advocacy. This Health Promotion Practice journal article provides basic advocacy terminology, dispels concerns about participating in advocacy activities, and provides a practical and stepped approach to becoming an effective advocate. Check it out!
Toolkit- SOPHE guide to securing Medicaid reimbursement for Health Education Specialist Services.
Policy Advocacy Organizations & Resources
American Public Health Association
Kansas Public Health Association
Missouri Public Health Association
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National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Sexual and Reproductive Health Care -
Missouri Family Health Council
Planned Parenthood Advocates in MO
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and so many more!
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Tell us how YOU get activated in advocacy 👇
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