Public Policy & Action

• Federal Funding for Seniors Programs
• Older Americans Act
• Long-Term Services & Supports
• Health Care Reform
• Our Positions
• Advocacy Toolkit

Resources

For Professionals

• 5 Key Facts Must Inform the Medicare Reform Debate
• SCSEP Targeted in Workforce Investment Act Proposal
• Senators to Voice their Support for OAA Reauthorization at Capitol Hill Briefing
• Missing from the Presidential Debate: Long-Term Care
• Long-Term Services & Supports: Candidate Survey
• State Advocate Experiences and Engagement in Duals Integration

For Older Adults and Caregivers

• Long-Term Services & Supports: Candidate Survey
• Straight Talk for Seniors™

For Advocates

• 5 Key Facts Must Inform the Medicare Reform Debate
• SCSEP Targeted in Workforce Investment Act Proposal
• Preventing Funding Cuts for Healthy Aging Programs: What You Can Do to Help

Advocacy Toolkit

Use our advocacy tools to make your voice heard!

Getting Started

• How to be an Effective Advocate Outside of Washington, DC
  Learn how to build relationships with your lawmakers in your community.
• 10 Tips to Harness the Power of Stories
  Find out how to tell the story of your organization and the people you serve.
• Nonprofit Advocacy Rules & Regulations
  Review the differences between advocacy and lobbying and learn what nonprofits are allowed to do.
• Tips and resources
• Presentation slides

Understanding the Issues

• NCOA Public Policy Priorities for the 112th Congress
  Explore our Tier One, Two, and Three priorities for legislation in this Congress.
• Our Positions
  Read our short summaries of top issues facing Congress and our positions.
• Fact Sheets
  Get the facts on topics like economic security, healthy aging, falls prevention, mature workers, economic security, benefits access, and more.

Understanding Congress

• Key Congressional Committees
  Learn about key committees and who is on them.
• Capitol Hill Terms & Definitions
  Learn the language, so you can be an effective advocate.

Communicating with Congress

• Find Your Legislators
  Use our online look-up service to find your representatives in Washington, DC and how to contact them.
• How to Write to Congress
  Your lawmakers need to hear what's important to you. Use these tips to make that communication as effective as possible.
• How to Get an Elected Official to Attend Your Event
  Use these tips to invite a lawmaker to your next community event.

Meeting with Congress

• Top 10 Tips for a Successful Visit to a Member of Congress
  If you have an opportunity to meet with your lawmakers, review these tips for maximizing the meeting.
• Sample Thank You Letter
  Thank your lawmakers for a meeting.
• 9 Tips for Town Hall Meetings
  If your member of Congress holds a town hall meeting in your district, make sure to attend. Use our tips to make the trip worthwhile.
• Tell Us How it Went!
  If you meet with your member of Congress, please take a moment to tell us what happened, so we can better track our advocacy efforts.

Contacting Media

• Sample Letter to the Editor
  Learn how to get your views printed in one of the best-read portions of the newspaper.

For More Information

• NCOA Policy Staff
  Have questions about an issue? Contact our public policy staff.
• Advocacy Websites
  Find links to other advocacy organizations with helpful resources.

want to live in a country where

older adults don't have to choose between paying for medicine or food.