Get to Know Your Legislators Creating Legislative Connections

Get to Know Your Legislators Creating Legislative Connections

Creating Legislative Connections l l l l Governor Senate (State and Federal) Representative (State and Federal) County City Chamber Other

Identify, Locate, Contact State or Federal Legislators l l l Contact your State Representative: http: //www. house. leg. state. mn. us/members/ Contact your State Senator: http: //www. senate. leg. state. mn. us/members/ Contact Minnesota members of Congress at www. house. gov; or www. senate. gov; Visit the White House: www. whitehouse. gov; If you want to search by issues that Congress is working on, go to: www. congress. org.

Minnesota Home. Care Association's Recommendations for other Government Information Websites l l l Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS): www. dhs. state. mn. us/ Minnesota Department of Health (MDH): www. health. state. mn. us/ Governor's Office: www. governor. state. mn. us/

Contact Key Legislators l Identify key contacts within your agency who are best “suited” for the contact to ensure success – – Publicize plans for contacts Publicize the results

Sample PR piece

Legislative Tips-Visit the MHCA Web Page l Government Relations Page – – Powerpoint presentations; Fact Sheets; Grass Roots Activities; Links to Information at both state and federal level

Construct Key Messages l Home Care – – Client Stories Employee Issues l l – – – Recruitment Retention Technology Needs EHR Challenges Financial/Budgetary Concerns

Media and Press l l l l TV Radio Newspaper Newsletters (Corporate and Agency) Employee Communication Client and Family Communication Trade Associations

Events • • Open House Home Visits with Key Contacts Employee Forum with Legislators Letter Writing Campaign

Follow-up l l Summarize events and contacts Send written acknowledgement and thank you Publicize the results for staff, board members, community, trade associations Send copy of publications to legislative contact

Maintain Relationships l l l Inform “key” contacts of events in your agency Include him or her on your newsletter mailing list Communicate new issues and developments in your industry

Celebrate Your Successes!!

Give Voice to Your Passion for Home Care!!