10 Ways to Advocate

1. Learn to be an effective voice for children
   
   
2. Choose an issue pertaining to kids and learn its basics. (For example: child and maternal health, child protection, child mental wellbeing, juvenile justice, or family financial security.)
   
   
3. Find out how government works and who the players are.
   
   
4. Start making the case for your cause.
   
   
5. Attend and participate in candidate forums.
   
   
6. Vote for child-friendly candidates.
   
   
7. Get in touch with government leaders about your issue: call or write to them, or pay a visit.
   
   
8. Get the word out: for example, by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper.
   
   
9. Build relationships with elected leaders and their staff.
   
   
10. Involve others in the effort – working together, we can build a statewide movement for children.

For more on the role of advocacy, get the Texans Care for Children Advocacy Manual, or attend one of our advocacy trainings.