When: Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
Local state laws and policies can be hard to find and even more hard to understand, and we want this information to be accessible to the communities they impact. Throughout this training, we will learn how to find public policy information, how those policies inform the work that we do, and how we can empower ourselves to engage with local policymakers. The trainers will review how coalitions can find state policies and determine where they fit into the policy change process.
Trainers: Alexis Walls and Kate Forrest, Massachusetts Public Health Association
Description: State laws and policies can sometimes be hard to find and understand, so what are ways we can make this information more accessible to the communities they impact? If you are new to public health or coalition work, this training will help walk you through how to find public policy information in the Massachusetts State House, how policy can be used to support our work, and the ways in which coalitions can empower themselves to engage with their local policymakers in ways that work for their coalition and its members. There are many ways coalitions and their members can insert themselves in each stage of the process of policy change. The trainer will review how coalitions can find state policies and determine where they fit into the policy change process. Through group work and skill-building, participants will walk away with knowledge to increase their effectiveness and impact within the community and feel confident in bringing their voice into the local policy arena.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Describe how to find active legislation in the Massachusetts State House.
- Describe the process of how policy is passed in Massachusetts and where there is opportunity to get involved.
- Identify strategies for engaging with state policymakers through multiple avenues and entry points.
MA DPH Coalition Criteria Addressed:
- Effective utilization of data to inform goal and activity selection, implementation, and evaluation.
- Defined structure for strategic planning and decision-making.
- Consistency with MDPH’s goals and priorities.
- Participation from key stakeholders (individuals and organizations that have a vested stake or interest in a program or policy initiative, e.g., it will impact them directly).