Advocating for Public Health

Advocacy Training Many factors affect the public health concerns identified by members of the Upper Valley community. These may include:

Access to Services (e.g. cost, location, or capacity);
Environmental Factors (e.g., safe and affordable housing, physical environment); and, among others,
Public Policy at the local, state, and national levels.

Recognizing that public policies can advance or inhibit our efforts to adress the priority health concerns of our region, the Public Health Council has a three-part plan to increase local policy action:

Engage local policymakers about the priority health concerns of the region and how public policy affects the work we are doing with our partners.
Provide training to our partners and members of our communities in how to advocate for public policy change.
Link partners and members of our communities to respected organizations with a specific focus on advocacy around the issues of concern to our region.

Engage Local Policymakers

Host Bi-State Legislative events every two years to:

Engage legislators on the health issues of greatest concern to Upper Valley residents.
Share ways public policy affects Upper Valley residents access to high quality, affordable, coordinated, and consistent services.
Promote conversations to increase policy coordination between New Hampshire and Vermont.

PHC hosted the 2023 Bi-State Legislative Breakfast on November 6th. We focused on workforce, housing, and childcare policies as they impact our community’s health and were joined by many of the Upper Valley’s most knowledgeable people on the topics. READ MORE

Provide Training

Provide training opportunities each year for partners and other residents who want to learn about the legislative process and how to engage with legislators. We work closely with organizations like New Futures to ensure high-quality speakers and resources. New Futures also provides a regular schedule of training opportunities you can participate in at any time.

In 2022 and 2023, PHC co-hosted two advocacy skills trainings and one session for nonprofit leaders on the distinctions between advocacy and lobbying. Please contact Alice Ely to learn more about training opportunities and topics

Link Partners to Respected Advocacy Organizations

The table below provides links to a number of Vermont and New Hampshire organizations that work diligently to influence public policy to benefit the residents of our states. The list also includes a few regional or national organizations. Some work on the state-level and some work on the national level. You can follow the links to these organizations’ webpages and explore their policy priorities.

We encourage members of the Upper Valley community to engage with policymakers on the topics they are passionate about. Please note that the Public Health Council does not lobby and we will never attempt to influence any person’s actions on behalf of or against legislation. We only provide education about the issues of concern to our region. If you choose to engage in direct advocacy by communicating with policymakers about specific legislation, you do so on your own behalf and should not speak for the Public Health Council. That being said, we hope you enjoy exercising your democratic right to act politically.

Advocacy Organizations Dedicated to Health and Safety

Organization Logo	Description	Access to Mental Health Services	Cost of Health Care Services, Health Insurance, & Dental Care	Access to Healthy and Affordable Food	Alcohol & Drug Misuse Prevention, Treatment, & Recovery	Child Wellbeing	Socio-Economic Conditions: Housing & Others	Public Health Emergency Preparedness
New Hampshire Based Resources
	Works to ensure that all individuals have access to appropriate, high-quality, integrated primary and preventive health care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
	A grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide.
	The Waypoint advocacy program is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through legislative, judicial and public policy initiatives.
	Advocates, educates, and collaborates to improve the health and wellness of all New Hampshire residents through policy change. Priority areas include: health policy, alcohol and other drugs, early childhood, access to treatment, and children’s behavioral health.
	The mission of the NHPA is to represent its members in advancing substance use prevention, treatment and recovery through public policy, leadership, professional development, and quality member services.
	A member-driven organization that champions public health policy and practice, enriches the workforce, and inspires leaders to improve the public’s health.
	We create safe and just communities through advocacy, prevention and empowerment of anyone affected by sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking and human trafficking..
	The New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition was established in 2002 as a diverse group of organizations, agencies, and individuals concerned about the impact of oral health issues facing New Hampshire.
	We advocate to end food insecurity, improve access to nutritious food, and address hunger’s root causes for all New Hampshire.
	The Granite State Organizing Projec is New Hampshire’s largest faith-based, grass-roots, community organization, seeks to strengthen communities, empowering them to find their voice and effect change.
	The New Hampshire Alliance of Immigrants and Refugees (NHAIR), a MIRA affiliate, is dedicated to organizing and engaging immigrants and refugees as voters and leaders.
Vermont Based Resources
	Works to ensure that all individuals have access to appropriate, high-quality, integrated primary and preventive health care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
	A member-owned organization comprised of Vermont’s network of not-for-profit hospitals. We are committed to building a vibrant, healthy Vermont. Our work includes advocacy, policy development, education and research.
	Serves the public by facilitating and enhancing physicians' individual and collective commitments, capabilities, and efforts to improve the quality of life for the people of Vermont through the provision of accessible and appropriate health care services.
	A statewide membership organization of several hundred individuals and organizations conducting advocacy, outreach and community organizing on behalf of Vermont’s children and youth.
	The Hunger Councils of Vermont network is a powerful force in the state. Using our combined voices, we raise awareness of key issues, encourage policy makers to support initiatives to end hunger, and share resources that make each other's work stronger.
	The Hunger Councils of Vermont network is a powerful force in the state. Using our combined voices, we raise awareness of key issues, encourage policy makers to support initiatives to end hunger, and share resources that make each other's work stronger.
	The Vermont Early Childhood Advocacy Alliance is a statewide coalition of early childhood professionals and providers, parents, and employers working together to improve public policies that impact young children from birth to age eight on issues of health, safety, food security, economic security, and early care and education.
	At the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition (VAHC), we are committed to ensuring all Vermonters have decent, safe and affordable housing. We are not a housing provider, but rather a coalition of over 90 members who work together to increase access to safe, decent, affordable housing in Vermont. Our primary focus is education, advocacy, and outreach.
	Works to ensure that all individuals have access to appropriate, high-quality, integrated primary and preventive health care regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
	A grassroots organization working to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide.
Regional and National Resources
	The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance advocates for placing peers at the forefront when determining needs and best practices for mental health services.
	Advocates for policies that ensure people who have mental health and substance abuse disorders have access to comprehensive, evidence-based health care services.
	Advocates for policies, practices and resources needed to effectively prevent substance use and treat addiction by pairing research and the experience of families and urging all levels of government to take action.
	The PCC is a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder membership organization dedicated to advancing an effective and efficient health system built on a strong foundation of primary care and the patient-centered medical home.
	APHA champions the health of all people and all communities. We strengthen the public health profession. We speak out for public health issues and policies backed by science.
	APHA champions the health of all people and all communities. We strengthen the public health profession. We speak out for public health issues and policies backed by science.
	One Fair Wage is a national coalition, campaign and organization seeking to end all subminimum wages in the United States and increase the sustainability of wages and working conditions in the service sector.
	AFSC works for a just, peaceful, and sustainable world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. We join with people and partners worldwide to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.
	Advocates for sexual and reproductive health issues, urging policymakers at all levels of government to promote reproductive health, rights, and justice.