Evidence-Based Intervention Fact Sheets
Building Relationships with Policymakers
JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, Project Director
Pre-K Primary Project, Children’s Institute
Rochester, NY
TCE Grantee
Children’s Institute in Rochester, NY has been developing and promoting prevention and early intervention programs since 1957. Along the way, they have perfected the art of educating their key stakeholders including local, state and federal policy makers on the importance of funding children’s prevention and intervention programs. JoAnne Pedro-Carroll, project director of PreK Primary Project at Children’s Institute emphasizes, “none of us can succeed at creating long-lasting positive change on our own. It takes building relationships and bridges with stakeholders - especially policy-makers”.
One of the main components of Children’s Institute’s education efforts includes making regular visits to Albany, NY, the state capital, to inform policy-makers about promising developments in the mental health promotion and intervention field and their program’s progress in particular. Personal visits and regular contact go a long way to establish credibility. Executive Director Dirk Hightower and colleagues are sure to maintain on-going communication through phone calls, email and correspondence. They invite policymakers to visit and observe the programs and see how they benefit children. As a result, the Institute is more apt to be called upon when expert opinions are needed for policy discussions because of the familiarity and respect built up over the years
Policymakers want, and more importantly, need to know about research and best practices in prevention and intervention. Children’s Institute recognizes this need and informs policy-makers about the outcomes and evidence-based results they have achieved through programs supported by state and federal dollars. The Institute is also an important source of information about the unmet needs of schools and communities.
Children's Institute’s education efforts have been rewarded with consistent funding through New York State's education budget since 1977. This past year they have even had an increase in their budget, despite the current trend towards cuts.
JoAnne offers the following advice to educate your state and/or federal legislators:
- Policy makers respect individuals and organizations that prove their dedication and commitment over the long-term; one-time visits aren’t enough.
- Highlight outcomes from your program. Legislators want to see evidence that your program works.
- Understand how the legislature works – who needs to understand the benefits of prevention and intervention?
- Introduce your legislators to your program by inviting them to see it in action.
- Remember that relationships are key to accomplishing any important endeavor. They require ongoing communication and commitment, but the benefits are well worth the the investment.
