Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program Congressional Site Visits

Lessons Learned

1. Involve all key players right from the beginning of the planning stage
   • Child welfare agency administration
   • University administration
2. Couple real life stories with hard data
   • Involve current and/or emancipated foster youth
   • Involve current and/or former students
   • Video testimonials also can be effective
3. Develop a good relationship with the Member's district office staff
4. Be flexible when working to accommodate the Members of Congress' schedule
5. Plan for a one-hour visit
6. Keep the visit non-confrontational
7. If possible, include people the Member of Congress knows personally
8. Consider presenting small gifts to the Member
9. Have a specific ask
   • All -- Maintain the federal entitlement and enhanced federal match for the Title IV-E training program
   • Supportive Members -- Talk to others in the delegation about the importance of the program to the state Supportive Members -- Keep us informed regarding developments
10. Involve the media (one site visit was covered in four local newspapers)
11. Don't make the site visit your only advocacy. Follow-up periodically with the Member's office.

For Additional Information: Contact Dina Zarrella, NASW Senior Field Organizer at dzarrella@naswdc.org or 202-336-8218.

Prepared by NASW April 2005

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