BACKGROUND: On June 4, the Joint Finance Committee will begin voting on Medicaid and DCF funding items in the State 2019-21 Biennial Budget.

ACTION NEEDED: Now is the time to connect with your legislators to voice your support for key initiatives. Make your contact by NOON on MONDAY, JUNE 3rd.

1) REVIEW WAFCA ADVOCACY POINTS: Check out the advocacy points that WAFCA has prepared on the following issues:

• Home Visiting
• Child Welfare Safety Services
• Child and Family Aids Increase
• Foster Care and Kinship Care Rate increases
• Driver’s Licenses for Foster Youth
• Runaway and Homeless Youth Services
• Medicaid Increase for Behavioral Health
• School Mental Health: Clinical Consultation
• Crisis Intervention Services

2) EMAIL OR CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR by Noon on Monday, June 3rd.

• Who are my legislators? (Enter your address under Who are my legislators? - http://legis.wisconsin.gov/)

3) MESSAGE: Use the WAFCA budget advocacy points and your own agency stories to advance one or more of the priority budget items that WAFCA has identified.

4) ASK: Ask if your legislator is willing to reach out to a colleague on the Joint Finance Committee and offer their support for our key issues.

5) THANK: Thank your legislator and/or their staff person for their time and their service to your district and service on behalf of the children and families relying on their support.

6) Let us know that you reached out! Copy [email protected] on your email message or drop us note/call us regarding your phone contact to let us know about your outreach.

Questions? Contact Kathy Markeland, [email protected] if you have any questions or need help with your advocacy. Thank you!