The Role of the NAATP Alliance for State Advocacy (ASA)
As a leading membership organization for addiction treatment providers, NAATP is well-positioned to provide support, resources, and networking opportunities to our members so that they can do the important work of advocacy. To that end, we have developed the Alliance for Sate Advocacy (ASA) as a means of creating greater engagement and resource sharing on state and local initiatives that further the Association's mission and values.
The purpose of ASA is to bring together, at the local and state level, NAATP members and volunteers to provide training, resources, and to develop a consistent voice on public policy that enhances the access to and quality of addiction treatment services. Involvement in this forum is a member benefit.
NAATP strongly encourages each state to create an ASA that can be formed by a group of interested volunteers who are NAATP members. The more individuals who join ASA and who are willing to share these responsibilities, the less work the State Lead must manage alone, resulting in more accomplishments on behalf of addiction professionals. A key goal for each ASA is to collaboratively plan and execute a Recovery Capitol Hill Day.
We are currently gathering interested NAATP Members.
Why Join the NAATP Alliance for State Advocacy?
- Work together with other NAATP members in your state on local advocacy efforts.
- Address SUD and Mental Health issues of high priority and work collaboratively to help develop and implement better policy in your state.
- Become a source of specific knowledge and expertise for your State Legislature on advocacy issues at local and state levels.
- Opportunity for leadership development through becoming a State Lead (see below), membership involvement and active participation, and networking.
- Learn how to develop a legislative agenda.
- Lay the groundwork for future advocacy work.
- Flexibility for your ASA to decide when, where, and how frequently you meet.
- Monitor legislative and regulatory information within your state.
- Gain access to the most up-to-date public policy and advocacy information related to the SUD field.
How Does NAATP Support the Alliance for State Advocacy?
NAATP will offer resources for – but not dictate – the process of developing State Alliances. Our goal is to provide tools to allow members in each state to create and manage their own State Alliance. NAATP supports ASA through:
- Planning Guidance
- Data Support
- Best Practices from our Quality Assurance Initiative
- Letters of Support
- Talking Points
- NAATP Marketing Materials
Where Do I Start?
- Sign up to receive Public Policy Alerts
- Stay up to date with Substance Use Disorder information
- Sign up to be part of your State Alliance
- Gather commitments from fellow NAATP members to be part of your ASA
- Determine how you want to organize your ASA
- Decide what issue(s) to champion and create a Strategic Plan
- Get resources and support from NAATP to help with your efforts!
Email request for members, share information on social media to gather interest for your ASA, and consider combining efforts with other State Groups. For example, Texas has a well-established Texas Association of Addiction Professionals.
Seeking ASA State Lead or Co-Lead
Are you:
- Passionate about advocacy?
- Eager to help create change?
- Willing to learn and educate others on SUD topics?
- An active NAATP member?
- Live in the state you would like to lead?
