AIRS CHANGES IN D.C. AND I&R

BOB BLANCATORBLANCATO@MATZBLANCATO.COM

• 3 perspectives on public policy/ advocacy• “There are risks and costs to a program of action but

they are far less than the long range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” John F. Kennedy

• “There comes a time when you’ve got to say—lets get off our asses and go. If I move with 75 percent or more of the facts I usually never regret it. It’s the guys who wait to have everything perfect that drive you crazy” Lee Lacocca.

• “Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.” Will Rogers

• I am proud to work with AIRS on its Public Policy Plan working in conjunction with the Public Policy Committee and the Affiliates Council.

• AIRS as a national organization still relatively new at public policy—but many of you are not.

• So there are basics to good public policy work and good advocacy.

A public policy plan needs following basics:• Identify issues and set goals• Have or get the facts• Plan strategies and tactics alone or in collaboration• Supply leadership• Know your audience—decision makers and their staffs• Work to broaden base of support• Know the schedule and process• Evaluate your plan throughout

• Advocacy can reduce to the 6 B’s

• Be consistent

• Be relevant

• Be realistic

• Be reliable

• Build Relationships

• Become a Resource

• Change is more than buzz word

• Reality of day

• Electoral and economy driven

• New more active role for government

• Taking greater responsibilities for those in need—as well as troubled industries.

• Economy driving force. Numbers speak volumes 5 million jobs lost, $2 trillion in retirement savings gone—11 million people lost all their home equity and most recently

• Social Security and Medicare’s future problems are growing closer in time.

• Public policy work and advocacy do take a real commitment at all levels

• Groups like AIRS with members and affiliates have built in advantage.

• AIRS 2009 public policy plan was developed as a work in progress

• All groups need to get a firmer grip of the new landscape before committing time and resources to a plan.

• AIRS public policy plan for 2009 involves work on initiatives from the past, and opportunities that may present themselves in the future

• First and foremost in the plan is to secure passage of the Calling for 2-1-1 Act.

• Good progress out of the gate in 2009. Senate bill leadership assumed by Senator Murray, key member of the HELP Committee which must produce bill. 40 co-sponsors already.

• House bill again strong leadership by Rep. Eshoo-a key member of the Energy and Commerce Committee which must produce bill and 120 co-sponsors.

• Already in 2009 there was a successful UWA Hill day which featured involvement by AIRS public policy members and staff.

• There have been at least 2 important meetings, one on each side with key Committee staffs to press the case to move the bill forward.

• Reception better on the House side because they are more familiar and efforts to reduce opposition have shown some progress.

• Senate side important questions raised such as:• How would grant program work?• What would regulatory agency at state level look like? • Costs between states with no 211 and those with?• Why feds should be involved at all?• All issues we are going to have to address.• One positive was their interest in AIRS accreditation.

• Despite the merits—it will take much work to get 211 passed.

• Committees of jurisdiction also doing health care reform.

• Stand alone bills are fewer.• Strategy is to continue to increase co-sponsors

—force the issue—and then look for ways to get it on other bill that is moving.

• Throughout this process, strong partnership between AIRS, UWA and 211 US.

• From affiliate council, public policy, and advocacy standpoint on 211 bill---get your House member and Senators on bill if not already there.

• Identify those who are on the relevant Committees and Subcommittees and work to build stronger relationships

• Keep good data on the work of 211 locally—volume and types of calls—response during emergencies- suicide prevention—measure call volume since recession—special focus on vulnerable populations of all ages.

• Will need to build political support so we can get hearings held on the bill which is a prerequisite for moving the bill

• Then if it cannot pass on its own will have to be attached to some larger bill and we will look for such vehicles.

• Another later year option might be to link to the expiring E 911 legislation in October

• Also on the AIRS public policy agenda is to gain passage of H. Res 187 to designate May 7th as National Information and Referral Services Day

• This is more of an AIRS project.• Intention is to recognize the broader field of I &R.• Intended to provide visibility to field that could aid 211

bill.• Author of resolution is Lee Terry of Nebraska who has

also emerged as a key Republican on Energy and Commerce for 211.

• Resolution calls quality I&R services the keystone point of entry to the entire human services structure delivery system.

• Its one co-sponsor to date is Rep. Eshoo who is the author of the 211 bill.

• Will needed sustained advocacy.• Had 23 co-sponsors—working to get all back—

full list available at www.thomas.gov and to get more.

• An internal Dear Colleague letter set to go out in June will help.

• And a Senate sponsor—eluded us so far. Tried Florida and Maryland.

• Public policy work is a lot about monitoring and looking for opportunities.

• That was case with the stimulus bill—or American Recovery and Relief Act

• What might be there for I&R.

• The search goes on.

• Important bills are expected up later this year.Effort will be focused on seeing where I&R might connect

• Bills such as theWorkforce Investment Act with one stop career centers to the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act where coordinated one-stop transportation hopes to emerge.

• Also look to see if Stafford Act legislation will emerge this year to reform our disaster preparedness roles

• We need to get prepared to determine our role in the 2010 census-$4 billion put in FY 09

• New money for section 8 housing vouchers and since housing related calls are the highest number logged on 2-1-1 this is also important.

• On the aging side. there are several opportunities to explore.

• Silver Alert Bill- passed the House-awaiting action in Senate.

• Elder Abuse Victims Act and the larger Elder Justice Act-enhanced role of I&R in helping to report elder abuse and possibly new hotlines established and need for trained people.

• Project 2020 expansion of home and community based services under the OAA in three areas.

• Aging and disability resource centers, evidence based disease management and nursing home diversion.

• Other areas—national broadband legislation and capacity of I &R to expand its capacity as internet based service.

• Obama’s new call for Social Investment Fund network to provide federal money to support private and non-profit sector local innovations.

• New money for respite care services in FY 09.• New initiatives to increase food stamp

participation by low-income seniors—especially at a time when rolls are rising.

• DTV transition. Still an opportunity with a June 12th drop dead date to convert. Must monitor call volume starting when you get back through the 12th and beyond.

• Also involved in public policy work is to build relationships with new Administration and key officials as they get named from FCC to FEMA to AOA to ACF.

• Pleased in 2009 to have begun to implement the affiliate advocacy plan to have a designated public policy person in each affiliate.

• Valuable resource—spreads our influence around.

• A public policy/advocacy plan only as good as the degree to which you are involved

• In our role we know the policy process and some players.

• When it comes to:• Where we fit in legislation• What could we propose that is new • What ‘ask’ might we want to make either through

legislation or regulatory process• You must help that process.

• Want more interactivity going forward—need to communicate more closely.

• Feed input into the AIRS Public Policy Committee

• Include public policy on your calls and or meetings. Always happy to participate.

• Thank you.