We will be convening at the NYS Capitol in Albany for a morning program in the Well of the Legislative Office Building, followed by meetings with legislators throughout the afternoon.
During the event, we will tell our stories, share our struggles to serve survivors, and advocate for budget and policy initiatives that will ensure the continuity and sustainability of DV services. With potential changes at the federal level, it’s more important than ever that the voices of DV advocates and survivors are represented and heard.
If you can’t join us, no problem. Uplift our Advocacy Day messaging on social media and with legislators through emails, phone calls and virtual meetings.
Our 2025 budget requests include:
- Creating a $200 million DV Services Transformation and Stabilization Program to systemically change New York’s method of funding DV programs into a more innovative, sustainable, trauma-informed and survivor-centered system;
- Increase the Governor’s $100 million earmark for victim services to $150 million;
- Stabilize the DV sector’s diminishing workforce and infrastructure by providing a 7.8% increase on all State contracts with DV providers;
- Increase the TANF set aside for non-residential DV services to $9.6 million to meet demand and account for inflation increases over the last 25 years.
Identify who your representative is and find their contact page or email.
You can do that by visiting the following links:
Additional Resources
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Tips for Effective Lobbying
Tips for Effective Lobbying
1. Strategize meeting before walking in.
Decide who will speak, for how long, what topics will be discussed, and who will make the ask. Be sure to
2. Make sure the legislator or staff member hears from everyone attending.
Have all participants introduce themselves. Personalize the issue by sharing stories, experiences or local statistics.
3. Answer all questions that you can and offer to circle back on the rest.
It’s okay to not know the answer to every question a legislator or their staff may ask. Simply say you will do your best to get an answer and offer to follow up with their office. Make sure to jot down the question in your notes.
4. Stay calm if a difficult question is asked.
Legislators and staff members are people with strong opinions -- just like you! You cannot expect to change their opinion in one meeting. Think of this as building relationships for the long haul. Try to find common ground.
5. Don’t forget to provide the packet of information.
Leave behinds are incredibly important. If you are meeting with a legislator or staff member in-person, make sure your team leader gives the “leave-behind” packet to them. If you are meeting virtually, be sure to attach all “leave-behind” documents to a thank you email.
6. Team leader will ask someone in the group to take notes and provide to NYSCADV.
Following the meeting, debrief with your colleagues to summarize what was discussed and what the legislator or staff member agreed to do. Notes should include names of everyone involved in the meeting (including title of the legislator and/or staff member).
NOTE TAKERS: PLEASE REMEMBER TO FILL OUT
A POST-MEETING FORM FOR THE MEETING AT:
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NYSCADV hosted an informational webinar on Wednesday, February 12 to review the Governor’s Executive Budget, NYSCADV’s budget & legislative priorities and basic lobbying tips to help you prepare for your legislative visits.
This link will navigate to NYSCADV's Coalition Manager website. You must use your Coalition Manager login information to access the resources. All staff of primary-purpose domestic violence programs in New York State are eligible for a Coalition Manager account. Please contact your supervisor or program administrator to set up a coalition manager account. If you need additional assistance, please complete a CM Support Ticket, by visiting this weblink: https://nyscadv.coalitionmanager.org/formmanager/formsubmission/create?formId=1175
