NAM’s Public Policy Strategy Committee held a Legislative Breakfast to discuss issues of importance to NAM and NAM’s clients. Panel participants included, from left, Betty Streckfus, Deputy Speaker pro tem Harris County (Texas Silver-haired Legislators), State Rep. Corbin VanArsdale (Dist. 130), and State Rep. Patricia Harless (Dist. 126). Carole Little, NAM President and CEO, right, introduced the panelists.
NAM has created a Public Policy Strategy Committee (PPSC) comprised of staff and board members who track legislative issues affecting NAM and develop a position on these issues.
NAM's Board and management team have always tried to stay abreast of public policy that may impact NAM's funding and/or the overall welfare of NAM's clients. In the past, our focus was more on managing and reacting to policy, rather than trying to influence it.
NAM's Board and management team realized that unless our advocacy and public policy strategy was formally recognized as a priority requiring a significant portion of staff time and resources, it would remain reactive, rather than proactive. By creating a working Public Policy Strategy Committee, consisting of both staff and members of our Executive Board, we are acknowledging the importance of advocacy and public policy strategy in helping us fulfill our mission.
To strive to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
To serve in a spirit of humility and charity and to enable people toward independence while respecting racial, cultural, and religious differences.
We believe that as a community of God, we respect the dignity and needs of one another, as together we strive for excellence in addressing concerns of people in need.
NAM feels its involvement in advocacy and public policy will help advance our mission on many levels.
Several of NAM's programs are either partially or in some cases fully funded by government grants or affected by existing government initiatives. Legislative action can change, diminish or even eliminate some of our programs and services or directly impact the lives of our clients. Advocating or lobbying for continuation of this funding can make a difference to our ability to provide these services.
Some of NAM's programs supported at least in part by government funding include the Shelter and Energy Assistance Program (S.E.A), homeless prevention through the administration of government grants for Shelter and Energy Assistance, the Family Violence Center (entirely grant funded), and Meals on Wheels (case management component funded through government grants). Clients of NAM's Children's Clinic are affected by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and our senior population is affected by Medicare and prescription drug legislation, as well as legislation affecting home food delivery services, regulated utility costs, etc.
PPSC members will assist in building relationships with legislators and in providing information to them if needed. Committee members will also focus on community and voter education. As part of this program, the PSSC will develop a plan to facilitate voter registration at NAM.
The Committee has the benefit of NAM’s membership in One Voice: A Collaborative for Health and Human Services. One Voice is a network of public, private and non-profit organizations in the Greater Houston area working together to ensure that the health and human service needs of all Texans are addressed in legislative, regulatory, funding and other public policy initiatives.
NAM's clients generally do not have a political voice. Yet these same populations are the most at risk and the most affected by legislative changes affecting health and human services. In advocating for legislation benefiting our clients, we represent their needs in the public policy arena.
By developing a public policy that supports our mission and represents the needs of our clients, we increase our ability to provide services and we help to ensure our future as an effective service provider. Without a public policy strategy, we might miss an opportunity to help our clients.
For information on the PPSC, contact Rita Fryer at rfryer@namonline.org (281-885-4579) or Cherise Luter at cluter@namonline.org (281-885-4582).
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