Advocacy Toolkit

2008 Conference of the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging

March 26-30, 2008, Washington D.C.

Public Policy and Advocacy:

How to Organize Advocacy for Older Adults with Mental or Substance Use Disorders

This session will guide participants to organize effective advocacy for older adults with mental or substance use disorders. It will cover how to build a constituency, how to set and achieve goals, and what tactics to use including public education and lobbying. A manual for effective mental health policy advocacy will be distributed.

Benefits and Learning Objectives
~ Attendees will learn why advocacy for geriatric mental health is critical § Attendees will have knowledge of how to form a local mental health and aging coalition in their area § Attendees will have knowledge and skills for effective advocacy § Attendees will have tools for enhancing their current coalitions § Attendees will have possible ideas for change regarding mental health and aging at the local and/or state levels

Advocacy Toolkit:

1. How To Use This Toolkit
2. Advocacy for Geriatric Mental Health - How to Build a Movement in Your State
3. Meeting the Mental Health Challenges of the Elder Boom
4. Mental Health Is Of The Essence of Aging Well
5. Geriatric Mental Health Briefing Book
6. Geriatric Case Examples
7. 12 Point Agenda for Action
8. Speak Out - NYC Version, June 2007
9. Issues in Geriatric Mental Health Policy
10. Geriatric Mental Health 101
11. Report - Barriers to Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Older Adults
12. Geriatric Mental Health Act of NY (Summary)
13. Tactics Checklist
14. Report - Meeting the Challenges of Aging People with Serious, Long-Term Psychiatric Disabilities
15. Report - Housing in the Mental Health System for Aging People with Serious Psychiatric Disabilities
16. Report - Mental Health Is Key to Long-Term Care
17. Report - Geriatric Mental Health Workforce Development
18. Report - Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Latino Elders
19. Report - Meeting the Mental Health Challenges of Asian Elders