Advocacy

Advocacy Toolkit

To help child advocates speak up for the health and well-being of all children, National PTA has created an online advocacy toolkit. From writing your legislators to scheduling Capitol Hill visits, these step-by-step directions and examples will help you reach out to policy makers and the media. The sections below provide easy to read guides for such advocacy tasks as working with the media and corresponding with members of Congress. Each section also has a downloadable PDF version of the text to allow for easy distribution. You can also download the PDFs from the following links:

Advocate for PTA
Get step-by-step instructions for how to be heard by policy makers and the media.

How to Lobby the PTA Way
A series of video clips to aid in your advocacy efforts.

Corresponding with Members of Congress
Learn strategies to effectively communicate with members of Congress via letters, e-mails, and phone calls.

How a Bill Becomes a Law
From introduction to committee to being signed into law by the President, learn how a bill becomes a law.

Working with the Media
Op-eds, press releases, and PSAs: learn what ‘s newsworthy and how to effectively get your message out

Federal Appropriations and Budget Process
Learn the process of how Congress funds important education and health programs

Hosting Site Visits for Members of Congress
Provides tips on how to successfully host a site visit for members of Congress at your school.

Advocacy: A Legacy in Leadership
Flash video presentation of PTA's history of advocacy

PTA Policy Issue Cards
Download and share this valuable tool highlighting the National PTA's key messages and positions on important issues of the day: education, ESEA-NCLB funding, and child nutrition and wellness.