This article originally appeared in the January-February 2001 issue of the Children's Advocate newsmagazine, published by Action Alliance for Children. Ask the Advocate answers your questions and dilemmas about advocacy with responses from seasoned advocates.

Ask the Advocate

Getting the word out to parents

By Melia Franklin

Q. I'm a parent and I want to be more involved in advocacy efforts for children. Where can I get parent-friendly information about the issues and how to take action?

Surfing the Internet

The Internet has brought computer-savvy parents more opportunities to get information, connect with other parents, and contact their elected representatives.

Unfortunately, many parents, especially immigrants, "don't have the time, don't have computers, and don't speak English," says Quintilia Avila, parent leadership director for MALDEF in Los Angeles. And much of the children's advocacy information on the Net isn't parent-friendly, says Maria Luz Torres, San Francisco organizer for Parent Voices. Information for busy parents "has to be very brief, a one-pager…and have a specific thing for them to do, right now," says Torres.

Recommended web sites include:

• Children Now, www.childrennow.org
  Statewide focus on child care, health care, and other key issues. On the web site, "Children Are Watching Now" Action Alerts provide parent-friendly background information on children's issues, action steps, and links to advocacy efforts and state legislators. Free e-mail action alerts available.

• California PTA, www.capta.org
  Statewide focus on education, health, violence prevention, and other issues. Includes legislative action reports, links to legislators, and updates on current bills. Requires some knowledge of the legislative process.

• Children's Defense Fund, www.childrensdefense.org
  National focus on child care, health care, and other key issues. "Issues" button links to action alerts, fact sheets, and easy ways to act. CDF also offers free membership in its six interactive e-mail "list servs," where advocates can exchange timely information and ideas.

• Smart Voters, by the League of Women Voters, www.smartvoter.org
  Local and national information on elections and voting.

• Children's Advocacy Institute, http://www.caichildlaw.org
  Statewide focus. Publishes a "Children's Legislative Report Card" showing how state legislators voted on key children's legislation.

• And of course, check out: www.4children.org, Action Alliance for Children's website.

Connecting to grassroots groups

• Parent Voices, a statewide organization pushing for more child care for low-income parents, has chapters in San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties, and information on current issues and actions. Contact Melinda Felice, statewide coordinator, 415-882-0234.

• Stand for Children chapters in many California cities plan community events to raise awareness of children's issues. To find a chapter near you, call 800- 663-4032 or visit www.stand.org

• Local advocacy organizations circulate information on children's issues, such as Coleman Advocates in San Francisco, (415) 239-0161, and the Human Services Alliance of Los Angeles, (213) 202-5920.

• Your local child care resource and referral agency should also have information about pending child care legislation and advocacy.

• Children's Advocates Roundtable: Turn page 12 of the Children's Advocate for news, action alerts, and contact information from this coalition of more than 140 organizations.

Training in parent leadership

• The state PTA's legislative team offers advocacy training, sometimes including Internet skills training, to parents at their schools. Ask your PTA leader to contact the district president to request it.

• The California Partnership for Children offers a comprehensive, 20-week leadership development training course for parents. Contact Hillary Flynn, project director, at (510) 643-7538.

Thanks to Ruth Wooden, National Parenting Association; Hillary Flynn, California Partnership for Children; and Valerie Stewart, local PTA president in Fremont.