Advocacy
- What is CAN-DO?
- What are CAN-DO’s goals?
- Does CAN-DO address other kinds of issues?
- How does CAN-DO work?
- Is it affiliated with a political party?
- Helpful Advocacy Phone Numbers and Web Sites
- Tips When Calling, Writing and Emailing Legislators
- Guide to Lawmakers for Northwest Washington
Area Agencies on Aging have a significant, legislatively mandated responsibility to advocate for the needs of older persons. The federal Older Americans Act states that it is the responsibility of the Area Agency on Aging to “serve as the public advocate for the development or enhancement of comprehensive and coordinated community based systems of services in each community throughout the planning and service area."
One of the primary ways the Northwest Regional Council fulfills its advocacy responsibilities is through the operation of the CAN-DO (Community Advocacy Network-Dial Olympia.)
CAN-DO
Community Advocacy Network – Dial Olympia – NW Washington
CAN-DO is a vital way for citizens to advocate on behalf of seniors and people with disabilities and to impact legislation by participating in an email based advocacy system with other concerned citizens.
What are CAN-DO’s goals?
CAN-DO Northwest advocates for people who are older or who have disabilities by providing a structure for citizens to participate in the legislative process. While we deal with a variety of issues, these are our main goals:
- Uphold appropriate and adequate funding for long-term, in-home and community-based care.
- Promote community services which sustain and improve the well-being of Americans who are older or who have disabilities.
- Enhance access, quality, and cost-effectiveness of health care and long-term care.
Does CAN-DO address other kinds of issues?
CAN-DO Northwest often works cooperatively with other networks and organizations which share our concerns. Those networks include advocates for people with mental illness, children who are medically fragile, or people with Alzheimer’s disease.
How does CAN-DO work?
Statewide and national senior organizations track upcoming legislation and other issues affecting seniors and people with disabilities. When the timing is right, a brief message for lawmakers is developed and e-mailed to CAN-DO members from the central CAN-DO Coordinator.
Each CAN-DO member sends the same brief message to their identified lawmakers in the Legislature or Congress.
Is it affiliated with a political party?
CAN-DO is not affiliated with any political party – in fact, members of CAN-DO come from a variety of political, social, and economic backgrounds. Their common ground is concern for programs that help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their own communities – and in their own homes.
To join or get more information, call or email the NWRC CAN-DO Coordinator, Richard Dietz, at 360-676-6749, 800-585-6749 or dietzrc@dshs.wa.gov.
- Helpful Advocacy Phone Numbers and Web Sites
- Tips When Calling, Writing and Emailing Legislators