Administrative Advocacy: The Not-So-Secret Sauce to Move Policy and Drive Effective Implementation

We often celebrate when the bill passes, but achieving the intent requires hundreds of administrative actions, and the need for advocacy pivots to state agencies. Administrative advocacy presents another opportunity to advance policies, especially when budgets are tight and/or deep political divides cause legislative inertia.

From implementation of universal child care in New Mexico, to Medicaid coverage of doula services in Colorado, to establishing a quality rating system in collaboration with the Department of Early Care and Learning in Georgia, this session shared tangible examples of administrative advocacy, the necessary conditions and tactics to make it possible, and lessons learned in the process.