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In the context of PTA, advocacy is supporting and speaking up for children — in schools, in communities, and before government bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children.
In 1897 when Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst decided that someone should speak out on behalf of children, they founded the National Congress of Mothers, which became National PTA. For 120 years, PTA advocacy has resulted in:
-Creation of Kindergarten classes
-Child labor laws
-Public health service
-Juvenile Justice system
-Mandatory immunization
-School lunch program
Today, PTA continues to advocate for all children, to press for adequate, equitable, and sustainable school funding, to create safe and healthy communities, and to make every child’s potential a reality. Become an advocate by joining the Michigan PTA Advocacy Alert Network, via Voter Voice, to add your voice to PTA’s one voice for every child.
Michigan PTA works with the National PTA on Federal Legislative Affairs. Michigan PTA has an Advocacy Committee to work on Michigan Legislative Affairs. Both organizations are non-partisan. You may join fellow PTA members to receive action alerts and information on legislative issues at both the national and state level. Please sign up today!
Michigan PTA VoterVoice
https://www.votervoice.net/MIPTA/home
National PTA VoterVoice
www.pta.org/home/advocacy/take-action
National PTA
To view more information on National PTA Legislative Affairs visit https://www.pta.org/home/advocacy
Michigan PTA
Michigan PTA also has two state groups you can join to be more involved in advocacy.
Advocacy General - This group is for all who are interested in Michigan PTA Advocacy at State and Federal Level. Announcements and Information will come out as needed. Questions text Michigan PTA Advocacy Chair at 248.470.2849.
Join Advocacy General hub on MemberHub.
Michigan Advocacy Committee - To join the current advocacy committee, contact the VP of Children's Advocacy to express your interest. Ideal candidates have past PTA experience, been a local Legislative or Advocacy chair, or served in another organization working on children's education such as a school board or other children education group. Email childadvocacyvp@michiganpta.org
PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy association in the United States. Founded in 1897, PTA has a long, successful history of influencing federal policy to promote the education, health and well-being of all children—resulting in kindergarten classes, child labor laws, school lunch programs, a juvenile justice system, and strengthened parent-teacher relationships. National PTA continues that legacy today by fighting for change under its federal public policy priorities:
• Family Engagement in Education
• Quality Education for All Children
• Adequate Funding for Education
• Child Health and Nutrition
• Safe Schools and Communities
• Fair Juvenile Justice Laws
Michigan laws have a major impact on education and child welfare. Michigan PTA and local PTAs can play a pivotal role in promoting PTA priorities by involving their members in advocacy to help secure adequate state and local laws for our students.
There are many ways to be an advocate! Some ways families can be involved are to:
Michigan PTA advocating at the Michigan State Capitol
Taking part in changing public policy includes the following steps. However, the capacity of the group and breadth of change desired will determine the level of involvement in advocacy activities.
Step 1—Gather Information
Step 2—Collaborate with Others
Step 3—Build Relationships with Policymakers
Step 4—Convey a Message
The following are two vehicles that may be used to convey a message to policymakers, the public and the media. Remember that messages and how they are conveyed vary depending on the audience. However, no matter who the audience is, a good message should contain basic components: First, give numbers – how is government/public money currently being spent effectively and efficiently? Second, use numbers – what unmet need is this fulfilling in the community?
1. To educate the public and the media, the message must be presented in a clear, non-technical manner. Refrain from using jargon and focus on addressing the impact the issue has in your community. In addition, they should show proximity to the policymaker or citizen’s self interest. Possible activities include:
2. To engage in direct interactions with policymakers on specific issues, your messages must be clear and to the point. Messages conveyed to policymakers should highlight the people affected and the monetary issues involved, but also clearly state your position on the issue/bill. Keep your interactions brief and to the point.
Michigan State Representative Brad Paquette (78th District; Niles, MIchigan; Republican) is a former teacher, currently serving as Majority Vice Chair of the House Education Committee. Rep. Paquette is an enthusiastic supporter of Michigan education and is happy to share a few encouraging words about PTA members reaching out to their state legislators.
Q&A Webinar with Michigan State University's Office of K-12 Outreach (December 9, 2021)
Activating Family Engagement and Covid Relief Funds
Speaking about their Covid-19 Relief Dollars Process Guide, the Office of K-12 Outreach, part of MSU's College of Education, shared with the Michigan PTA the long term impact this funding could have on educational spending and ways to engage with your school district.
MI PTA Giving You the How on the American Rescue Plan Act and Parent Voice Webinar June 2021
Learn about and discuss how your PTA can get involved in School District discussions about spending American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Public input is a required part of this Act.
May 7, 2020
Take Action: Tell Your Representative to Provide Emergency Funding for Family Engagement
Families and children need your help today! Please contact your Representative today to seek emergency funding for family engagement in the next COVID-19 relief package. Now, more than at any other time, families are critical and primary to the success of their children.
With many schools across the nation closed for the remainder of the school year and stay at home orders still in place across the country, homes have become the classroom and parents have become surrogate teachers, responsible for their children’s learning. While these building closures have placed more challenges on parents, the long-term ramifications of lost instructional time, the waning of parent and educator relationships and the need for compensatory education when students return to school make clear the need for both immediate and long-term investments in family engagement through the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFEC) program.
As the U.S. House of Representatives moves quickly on their next relief bill, they must recognize the important role of parents and families in a child’s education and boost funding for the SFEC program.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Congress has passed four major pieces of legislation to provide relief to families and the U.S. economy. On March 6, 2020, President Trump signed into law H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Phase 1), which allocated $8.3 billion of aid to the United States’ public health response to COVID-19.
On March 10, 2020, President Trump signed into law H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Phase 2), which provided relief for both employers and employees who were affected by COVID-19.
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law S. 3548, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Phase 3), a $2.2 trillion bailout and stimulus package to aid industries suffering from the pandemic and provide economic relief to families and small businesses who are suffering.
Bill 3.5: On April 24, 2020, the President signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (the “Enhancement Act”) into law. This bill is the fourth coronavirus emergency relief bill and is called ‘3.5’ because the bill largely provides additional dollars for several key programs in the CARES Act, ‘3.0.’ This supplemental relief package includes $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, $60 billion or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, $75 billion for health care providers (supplemental to previous $100 billion in the CARES Act), and $25 billion for COVID-19 testing.
Bill 4.0: Following passage of bill 3.5, the drafting of and negotiations for 4.0 proposals will gain steam. The next emergency relief package is expected to be more comprehensive, and many members of Congress hope to make this the last coronavirus relief package. It is the focus of issues which have not been addressed in the previous relief bills, new areas of relief, possible technical corrections to earlier action, and many members hope to include their pre-pandemic legislative priorities. This relief package could see action during the first half of May.
National PTA is asking Congress to address four key areas in the next COVID-19 relief package, referred to as “C-4” or the “fourth relief bill,” – 1) family engagement, 2) remote learning, 3) support of students with disabilities and 4) child nutrition.
https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/PTA/Campaigns/73209/Respond#/?page=additionalInformation
You can write to your elected officials about these and other bills using our Take Action Network.
Michigan Legislature:
House Bill 5629: Would require MDHHS, in coordination with local health departments, to develop a model pandemic preparedness plan to assist governmental entities.
House Bill 5630: Would establish coronavirus reporting requirements, definitions, and coverage of the uninsured.
House Bill 5631: Would create the Pandemic Outbreak Fund, which would be dedicated to addressing costs and act as a reinsurance to help cover wage loss.
House Bill 5632: Would require Medicaid coverage, at no out-of-pocket expense, of costs associated with the coronavirus, including treatment and testing, wage loss, medications, vaccines, and hand sanitizer and face masks.
House Bill 5633: Would require private insurance coverage, at no out-of-pocket expense, of costs associated with the coronavirus, including treatment and testing, medications, vaccines, and hand sanitizer and face masks.
House Resolution 242: Urges Congress and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to provide financial support to our state to assist us in combating the coronavirus.
On April 2, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-35 (COVID-19) Provision of K-12 education during the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
This executive order, EO 2020-35, was issued for the safety of school children and communities. Its major function ends face-to-face instruction for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. The order suspends, temporarily, in-person instruction of K-12 students and provides limited and temporary relief from certain restrictions and requirements so that K-12 education may continue by the best alternative means possible.
To read the full Executive order https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-524032--,00.html
Local Unit and Community PTA Leaders should contact the Michigan PTA Advocacy Committee if they would like a more in-depth conversation on EO 2020-35 at childadvocacyvp@michiganpta.org
Michigan PTA Statement in support of EO 2020-35 COVID-19
The Michigan PTA issued a statement supporting the Governor’s Executive Order. To read the statement https://www.michiganpta.org/covid-19-resources-for-families. Michigan PTA Recommendations to Local and Community PTA/PTSA Leaders across the state
Friday, April 3, 2020 Michigan PTA held a statewide conference call for PTA/PTSA leaders across the state of Michigan. Key recommendations from that call to PTA/PTSAs are:The plan for continuing education will now be at the local school district level with each school district creating their own unique plan to be approved by their Intermediate school district superintendent. The plan must be completed and implemented by April 28, 2020. PTA/PTSA can be an important part of this process and the following recommendations have been made to local PTA/PTSAs across the state of Michigan:
This is a health care crisis and safety is the most important thing. Be patient that everyone is working to the best solution possible.
PTA/PTSAs can centralize questions and ideas to our school districts to reduce the volume of individuals reaching out to stakeholders. Contact Michigan PTA is you need suggestions or training how collect this information.
OPEN your communication to PTA/PTSA members and non-members on requesting for input on the school district plan, information received from the school district, and COVID-19 information. PTA will share tools for leaders to collect this information and provides FREE broadcast email to all PTA/PTSAs in the state.
PTA/PTSAs need to establish a connection to the district superintendent and set up a communication channel. Find out how you can best help your local superintendent and school district.
Parents, families may be looking for information PTA/PTAS can help. They may be requesting information on lowering stress, additional enrichment, making connections – local PTA/PTSAs can help distribute that information. Look to the Michigan PTA and National PTA and your community to provide information to share to families in your community.
We anticipate that EO 2020-35 will continue to raise questions. Michigan PTA is continually working to address your issues and provide information to units and councils. We are having ongoing conversations with the Governor’s Office, the Michigan Department of Education, and other education association stakeholders. If you have specific questions, please send them to the following.
Marcy Dwyer-Advocacy or governmental questions, more information on the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-35, advocacy recommendations PTAPTSAs should implement now email childadvocacyvp@michiganpta.org Jennifer Johnson- Student Involvement & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion questions and committee join inquiries studentinvolvementvp@michignpta.org Tracey Troy- General PTA questions from Unit and Council Leaders to outreachsupportvp@michiganpta.org
If you are a parent or community group and your school does not currently have a PTA. Contact outreachsupportvp@michiganpta.org. We can assist in creating a PTA/PTAS group to help children, teachers, administrators at your schools in your community.
This will be a difficult time for educators, families, and our children. Working together, in collaboration with educators and families, we can address the resources in our communities and make each district’s plan successful for their students. We will need to support our school staff and our families as we navigate distance learning and devise new ways to acknowledge accomplishments and share memories for the remainder of this school year.
We, the Michigan PTA, stand ready to support our educational administration, superintendents, principals, teachers, families, and students as we go forward during this pandemic. The mission of Michigan PTA is to mobilize the forces of school, home, and community in order to ensure a quality education and nurturing environment for every child. Every Child, One Voice.