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Beatriz Lorenzo at the State House.
"My mother instilled in me a strong commitment to service and taught me that we all have the ability to assist others," says Beatriz Lorenzo, nursing systems research analyst at Children's Hospital Boston. Lorenzo, who has worked at Children's for 13 years, counts work experience and her mother's influence as reasons for becoming an advocate for the hospital. Now an active member of the Children's Advocacy Network (CAN), a 1,600-member group that influences public policies to improve child health, Lorenzo also participated in a unique advocacy training series at the hospital. "When I learned about the training, I thought, 'What a great way to bring together my passion for service, interest in policy and commitment to the hospital's mission," she says.
Children's Office of Child Advocacy created CAN in 2000 to encourage a grassroots network of parents, employees and community residents to become a voice for the hospital's advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. CAN members have successfully advocated for health care coverage, injury prevention measures and mental health services among other issues.
In 2006, an in-depth, five-session training series was created to give interested advocates a better understanding of the legislative process and the skills needed to become more active participants. "If you're not in this field, you wouldn't necessarily know what the Ways and Means Committee does or how to best advocate for an issue," says Lisa Mannix, Children's manager of State Government Relations. "The training helps demystify the legislative process." Participants learn concrete ways to get involved and pointers on how to communicate with legislators. Some want to learn how to advocate for causes close to their hearts that aren't part of the hospital's goals, and they're encouraged to do that. "We brainstorm ways they can get involved with existing networks and strategize about advocacy tactics they can use to advance their cause," says Mannix. The training culminates in a mock committee hearing at the State House, where trainees role-play a hearing.
It's made a difference to volunteers. "I'm no longer hesitant to call officials or visit their offices," says Lorenzo, who has also worked to form the Children's Nursing Legislative Action Interest Group, which has met with legislators on nurse staffing ratios. She also assisted with a lobbying day for the Children's Mental Health Campaign.
Interested Children's staff members and community residents are encouraged to participate in a training session or join the CAN to receive information on the hospital's advocacy efforts. For more information, contact Lisa Mannix at lisa.mannix@childrens.harvard.edu or visit childrenshospital.org/advocacy. |
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