AAFCS Public Policy Committee
Strategic Directions 2001- 2005

Theme: Sustainable Families - Supportive Communities

Niche: The AAFCS niche is to develop and promote strong families and supportive communities. Public policy focus is an integrative approach recognizing that issues related to families and communities are complex and require a "mix" of content, resources, and actions. (Issues are matters of wide public concern.)

Key Thoughts

1. Public policy includes both education and advocacy. AAFCS emphasizes education and the expertise members can contribute in shaping the development of policy.
2. An initiative is long term, while an issue may have a shorter life. An
   initiative may include several separate but related issues.
3. Since public policy is usually complex in today's environment, AAFCS focuses on building and participating in coalitions and partnerships with others who share mutual interests and visions.
4. Public policy involvement occurs locally, statewide, nationally, and
   internationally.

Intended Outcomes

Agreed-Upon Association Public Policy Priorities

1. AAFCS annually identifies a limited number of public policy initiatives that function as foci for the organization. An initiative may serve as a priority for a number of years as it is usually broad in scope.
2. The Public Policy Committee continually scans what is happening nationally so that "hot" issues can be acted on with immediacy, evolving issues can be monitored and the role(s) for AAFCS clearly articulated. Divisions and Sections participate in scanning, framing, building strategy, monitoring, and assessing progress.
3. Resolutions may evolve from public policy initiatives or they may initiate and help frame possible priorities.
4. Friend of the Family and 21st Century Community Champion nominations relate to one or more of the public policy initiatives and function as visible examples of professional practice by an individual or group.
5. Six basic principles related to family serve as a screen for analysis and framing a public policy initiative:
   a. Family support and responsibilities
   b. Family membership and stability
   c. Family involvement and inter-dependence
   d. Family partnership and empowerment
   e. Family diversity
   f. Support of/for vulnerable families.
   --- (2001) Public Policy Through a Family Lens
6. Basic principles related to community serve as a screen for analysis and frame a public policy initiative.
7. Coalitions and partnerships are developed and maintained with public and private entities around shared public policy initiative priorities.
8. Members actively participate in identifying initiatives and issues. They analyze public policy options and potential benefits and consequences.

Public Policy Priorities within a State or Local Community

1. Affiliates establish public policy priorities relevant to the national emphasis recognizing that state and local initiatives and issues may have greater specificity.
2. Affiliates scan the state and local political environments. Procedures for scanning, monitoring, and being involved are available to all members.
3. Coalitions and partnerships are developed and maintained with public and private entities around shared policy priorities.
4. State or local community policy priorities can serve as the basis for resolutions for AAFCS.

Capacity Building of Membership

1. Members value and continue to expand their knowledge and skills related to public policy.
2. Members participate in coalitions and partnerships and share their skills, talents, and knowledge as an initiative evolves.
3. Members prepare resolutions and make nominations for Friend of the Family and 21st Century Community Champion.
4. Members engage in public policy related activities.
5. Members lead community, state, national, and/or international policy change.
6. Students engage in experiences that expand their knowledge, skills, and involvement.

Strategies/Actions

Agreed-Upon Association Policy Priorities
The Policy Committee will:

1. Review the AAFCS public policy priority initiatives annually and assess the political environment, and prepare a recommendation for the Board of Directors. Update background information and use criteria such as the principles to assist with the assessment and recommendation.
2. Develop a set of principles related to community that serve as a screen for analysis and provide a framework for public policy initiatives.
3. Prepare and distribute short policy briefs for use by members. Briefs can be prepared by members of the committee, divisions, and sections as well as members who are involved with the initiative or issue. Briefs are available through multiple communication channels.
4. Dedicate two pages of the Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences to policy. Preparation is shared between staff and members. Yearly, topics are identified that support priorities; however, they are subject to change so that the organization is strategically positioned to respond effectively and expeditiously.
5. Work with divisions and sections so that they engage in activities that support policy priorities and contribute to the ongoing scanning which is essential for viability.
6. Enter into coalitions and partnerships around issues of mutual interest and consistent with priorities. The AAFCS niche is highly visible and valued.

Policy Priorities within a State or Local Community

1. Develop or update resources to assist Affiliates and local communities
   engage in activities so that they are able to achieve the stated goals. An example might be the Family Forum's held in Indiana.
2. Collate and share best practices or examples of what has worked at the annual meeting, on the website, in the journal, and other sources.
3. Create templates for briefs so that members have one or more idea from which to work. For example - a template might be the 5 I's of a Brief - information, issue, impact, implications, and imperative to act. (Braun & Bauer, 2001)

Capacity Building of Membership

1. Adapt the "Levels of Involvement" developed by the Extension Educators. (See attachment A)
2. Organize experiences so that members engage in shared learning. Members receive tools and practice core skills essential to leading and engaging in community, state, and national change.
3. Organize experiences and develop resources that support members becoming actively involved in collaborations and partnerships around issues of mutual interest.
4. Explore developing a partnership with such groups as the Kettering Foundation and the National Council for Family Relations around issues of mutual interest and develop skills related to deliberation and public choice. Provide multi-state or regional workshops, perhaps in collaboration with other groups.
5. Establish on-line mentoring.
6. Provide ongoing updates and frame them so that members can pick them up and use the information as they engage in activities.
7. Collaborate with student members so that experiences can be organized locally, statewide, and nationally for their involvement. Explore the feasibility of having student internships for credit.