National Advocacy

Paper that says New Federal Legislation Impact On Programming

The collective need.

Each year, Congress must decide how to allocate money for discretionary programs, which is funding that is optional and implemented under an appropriations bill. Discretionary funding includes determining funding levels for programs and services that support the youth we serve. Given the growing number of demands for scarce public dollars, it is essential that Congress hear from the experts and organizations that are working on the streets and in our local communities.

Our unified response.

We build a strong collective of key allies who are well-positioned to protect critical funding sources. By leaning on the expertise of our local members, we educate policymakers by:

  • Providing focused messaging on national trends and current events - translating local developments into national policy and vice versa;
  • Coordinating face-to-face meetings with key Members of Congress and their staff; and
  • Building strategic relationships with decision-makers at all levels, leveraging the collective strength and knowledge of our membership to improve federal policy.

Each year, Youth Collaboratory prioritizes its advocacy efforts to focus on the critical issues identified by our member organizations. In 2020, Youth Collaboratory will focus on:

  1. Increase funding for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program.
  2. Increase funding for the Youth Mentoring Program.
  3. Supporting a program that ensures all communities have the opportunity to implement the best practices and lessons learned through the previously funded Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program.
  4. Support our peer organizations in securing a full reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, including programmatic changes and robust funding.
  5. Provide effective advocacy tools and timely knowledge to Youth Collaboratory Members.
  6. Respond to emerging public policy crises, as necessary.

How you help.

Youth Collaboratory Members invest in our advocacy agenda and are committed to advancing federal public policy and funding to meet the needs of the youth development field, and the children, youth, and young adults we serve.

Advocacy related Membership benefits include:

  1. A dedicated, experienced team working year-round to advance the federal funding and policies important to your work.
  2. Access to “Public Policy Office Hours” - our policy discussions with members.
  3. The opportunity to apply to be part of the Youth Collaboratory Advocacy Action Committee.
  4. Policy updates and alerts on relevant issues.

Information for every day advocacy.

We also support the field in becoming every day advocates – providing access to experts and colleagues that can help organizations tell their story and move the conversation forward. Check out our most recent Government Relations blog posts and statements: 

You can also access the entire collection of posts in our Government Relationships Blog Series. 

Read our Blog Series