Policy on poverty

Letter writing

• Locate the information for your local or state representative(s) responsible for the policy and/or policy alternative you selected earlier in the course. 
• Review the advocacy resources from the Council on Social Work Education and the American Psychological Association from the Learning Resources this week. 
• Review the letter and email examples from the Sample Letters and Emails section of the Learning Resources this week. 
• Determine whether you will write a letter or an email to your representative(s). (Consider the tips from your resources this week to make your decision.) 
• Craft your message and send it to your local or state representative(s). 

Complete the two-part Assignment.

Part 1: 

Submit a 1- to 2-page message to your political representative(s). Address the following in your message: 

• Use the appropriate structure for the delivery format (letter or email). 
• Introduce yourself and your intent or request. 
• Describe the social problem and impacts of the policy in question. 
• Use facts, stories, or other details to appeal to the representative(s) and connect the policy work to their district or state. 
• Provide a call to action—inspire your representative(s) to rise to this occasion. 

Part 2: 

Submit a 1-page reflection of your process for writing a message to your political representative(s). Address the following in your short reflection: 

• Describe the experience of sending the message—either via letter or email—to your representative(s). How did it feel to formally advocate on behalf of a policy to alleviate a social problem you have thoroughly reviewed? 
• Did you write a letter or an email? Explain your reasoning. 
• Describe how you constructed the letter. Use the Council on Social Work Education and American Psychological Association resources from the Learning Resources this week to support your choices. 
• Explain how you used your advocacy skills in your communication. 
• What are your next steps as an advocate? 
• https://www.apa.org/advocacy/guide/letter-email ( use this guideline)
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