Advocacy Grassroots advocacy is very important. It is our way as citizens to be involved in the democratic process of our government. We support policies and legislation that prevents brain injury and enhances the care, services and support available to people with brain injuries and their families. In doing so, we advocate on behalf of the entire brain injury community. Legislative Action Links Overview of Idaho Protection and Advocacy and the Brain Injury Association of Idaho

L e g i s l a t i v e   A c t i o n   C e n t e r  WASHINGTON DC

The Brain Injury Association of America maintains a terrific online advocacy resource called the Legislative Action Center where you can enter your zip code, find out about your Washington DC representatives and contact them regarding issued that are of great importance to you and the future of the brain injury community. Simply click on the image of the Capitol building.

National Action Alerts

The Brain Injury Association of America and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators both follow federal public policy closely and have sections on their websites to keep you involved. To learn how you can take action on federal issues, visit the Brain Injury Association of America website, http://capwiz.com/bia/home/, and visit the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators website, http://nashia.org/ (“Influence Public Policy” section).

Congressional Brain Injury Task Force

The mission of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force is to further education and awareness of brain injury and support funding for basic and applied research on brain injury rehabilitation and development of a cure.

The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force works at the reauthorization of the TBI Act. As the only federal legislation that helps the 3.17 million Americans who live with a long-term disability as a result of a TBI. This law must be reauthorized – bottom line.

In Idaho, there are ? members of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. They are: Dale Kildee (MI-05), Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11), Candice Miller (MI-10), Mike Rogers (MI-08) and Fred Upton (MI-06). Please ask your US Congressman to join the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. Click here for helping in asking your Congressman to join!

Contact Your Legislators

Whether you are responding to an Action Alert or simply wish to express your concerns to your government representatives, here is how to reach them. Contact Your Legislators Which will help you determine who your legislator is and provide you with the opportunity to send them an e-mail.

Tools for Advocacy

The Association wants you to have the resources to advocate for yourself or your family member. These tools are Help Hints for Contacting Legislators (link to below). The Brain Injury Association of America and the Health Resources & Services created a similar presentation which can be accessed by clicking here to view a presentation which defines the basic tools of effective advocacy.

Helpful Hints for Contacting Legislators

Generally, a personal letter (or e-mail) is more effective than a phone call, but a phone call can have a greater impact than a non-personalized form letter (or e-mail). Whereas a staff person from the legislator's office usually handles a phone call, records the important information, and relays the message to the legislator, a legislator sometimes brings the most moving letters with him or her when it is time to vote on a bill. But pick the most comfortable method for you. Whatever method you choose, here are some helpful hints to remember when contacting your legislators…

Writing Your Legislator - Calling Your Legislator

Write a personal letter (e-mail). It is far more effective than a form letter. Tell your own story about how brain injury affects you, your family, or your community. Consider discussing life before brain injury, as well as how the injury happened.

1. If you are calling about a service provided by the state, identify the service in the first paragraph of the letter and whether or not it meets your needs as a person affected by brain injury.
    
2. If you are calling about a bill, identify the bill number in the first paragraph of your letter, and immediately establish whether you would like the legislator to support or oppose the bill.
    
3. Identify yourself as a constituent (a resident of the legislator's district).
    
4. Try to limit your letter to one page, and do not write more than two. Legible hand-written letters are just as good as typed letters. Be sure you include your return address!
    
5. Be polite.
    
6. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting with your legislator or someone from his or her office! This can be the most effective form of advocacy.
    
7. If possible, send a copy of your letter to Brain Injury Association of Idaho so we can keep track of the advocacy efforts in the community and how the legislators are responding. Send copies to Brain Injury Association of Idaho 1055 North Curtis Road, Boise, ID 83706.
    
8. Most important! Send a "thank you" note (or make a "thank you" call) when your legislator responds to your request! Prepare your remarks before you call. Keep in mind that the person you speak with will very likely be unfamiliar with brain injury. Keep notes available if this will make you more comfortable.
    
9. Don't be surprised if you don't speak to the legislator directly. Staff who answer or respond to the majority of calls have the legislator's "ear" and will make sure that your comments are recorded and relayed to the legislator.
    
10. Identify yourself as a constituent (a resident of the legislator's district).
     
11. Immediately establish what you are calling about, and what you would like the legislator to do (i.e. improve a state service, support or oppose a bill).
     
12. Be positive, and try to be brief. Remember: the staff person you most likely will talk to will work even harder on your behalf if this conversation is one he or she remembers fondly!
     
13. Leave your name, address and phone number.
     
14. Do not be afraid to ask for a meeting with your legislator or someone from his or her office! This can be the most effective form of advocacy.
     
15. If possible, contact the Brain Injury Association of Idaho to alert us that you made the phone call so we can keep track of the advocacy efforts in the community and how the legislators are responding. Call toll-free 1-800-444-6443.
     
16. Most important! Send a "thank you" note (or make a "thank you" call) when your legislator responds to your request!

How does a bill become a law in the State of Michigan?
Click here to learn how a bill becomes a law in Michigan.

How does a bill become law in the United States?
Click here to learn how a bill becomes a law in the United States.