Exploration may include
- promoting self-determination
- differentiating between advocacy and activism
- differentiating between advocacy, advocacy of the client population, and soft advocacy
- identifying appropriate roles for advocacy in the local, state, and federal levels.
Exploration should also include low-, middle-, and high-level advocacy strategies:
- Low—gather information and network
- Middle—maintain memberships in professional organizations and communicate with federal and local agencies and legislators
- High—communicate with stakeholders and voters
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- What are the resources human services personnel use to advocate for their clients?
- What challenges may one face when advocating for oneself and one’s clients?
Communication
- What communication skills are needed to advocate?
- Who can assist a professional who would like to begin advocating for a group?
Leadership
- Why are human services professionals required to have more advocacy responsibilities?
- How can a professional become active in human services legislation at the state and national levels?
Management
- How can advocates delegate responsibilities to others?
- What are the negotiation and mediation skills involved in being an effective advocate?