As injuries remain the leading cause of death of people 1-44 years of age, injury prevention advocates must have the tools to discuss evidence-based public health strategies with policymakers to reduce the burden of injuries, particularly among children and adolescents. This 90-minute interactive workshop will provide participants with practical skills for engaging in nonjudgmental, nonpartisan advocacy conversations with non-medical policy makers focused on shared goals and meaningful engagement.

The session will begin with a 30-minute didactic overview of effective advocacy communication strategies. Participants will learn how to clearly and concisely articulate positions on child injury and public health issues, develop memorable advocacy “why” statements, translate clinical and community experiences into compelling advocacy messages, and frame conversations in ways that resonate with diverse audiences. The session will also address strategies for engaging policymakers across differing viewpoints, building and sustaining professional relationships with legislative offices, and navigating emotionally and politically sensitive discussions. Real-world examples from injury prevention and child health advocacy will be incorporated throughout.

The remainder of the workshop will focus on hands-on experiential skill-building activities. Participants will be given 15-minutes to individually craft their “why” statement. They will be given 30-minutes to practice delivering their message in facilitated small groups. Attendees will receive feedback on how to make their messaging clear, compelling, concise, and audience-focused. For the remaining 15-minutes, small groups will choose 1-2 attendees to lead mock meetings with policymakers, portrayed by workshop facilitators, to practice applying the conversational and relationship-building techniques discussed during the lecture portion. Other group members will observe and provide feedback. By the end of the session, participants will leave with tangible tools and greater confidence to engage in injury prevention and child advocacy at the local, state, and national levels.

- Craft and confidently deliver a memorable personal advocacy “why” statement
- Develop effective communication strategies for engaging with legislators and policymakers
- Practice navigating challenging or emotionally charged policy conversations
- Apply newly acquired advocacy skills through interactive small-group breakout sessions