Advocacy Agenda
Advancing the Common Good
Through Public Policy
Money alone cannot solve Silicon Valley's most pressing community needs. Public policy can be a significant catalyst for change and that is why advocacy is one strategy that United Way Silicon Valley employs in its ongoing efforts to improve the lives of local people. United Way's advocacy work is focused on improving the systems that shape community conditions to help individuals and families achieve financial stability and independence.
** Issues United Way Champions **
2-1-1
Vision: A committed partnership with federal, state and local governments that provides funding to sustain and grow 2-1-1 in Santa Clara County and throughout the state and nation.
Children's Health Coverage
Vision: All children have health insurance and access to the quality care they need to stay healthy and in school.
Food Access
Vision: All Silicon Valley residents will have access to an adequate quantity of quality food.
How United Way Silicon Valley Advocates
United Way is non-partisan in its advocacy and knows that systemic change requires partnership among non-profit organizations, government, business, labor, faith-based groups, and community members.
Working in partnership, United Way Silicon Valley takes the following approach in using public policy advocacy to advance the common good:
~ Educate community members on the policy issues
~ Connect advocates with elected officials and media outlets to
champion causes
~ Engage policymakers in solutions that meet community needs
Give. Advocate. Volunteer. Live United
|
California 211 Service
in Jeopardy Unless
Congress Acts
Learn More Now!
Advocacy is one strategy
United Way uses to advance its goals; others include:
~ Delivering United Way Silicon
Valley Programs
~ Investing strategically in agency-
run programs
~ Leading and participating in
partnerships and coalitions
~ Mobilizing volunteers
For Details About
United Way's Advocacy Work
Contact:
Megan Tracz
408.345.4318
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UnitedWaySV's Board of Directors recently endorsed Measure A, the Santa Clara County Healthy Kids Parcel Tax, on the November 2010 ballot. Passage of Measure A is necessary to prevent thousands of children from losing their insurance and to ensure that all eligible county children have access to health coverage including preventative healthcare services, early detection and treatment. Support of this measure aligns with UnitedWaySV's 2013 goal of providing 100% of local children with access to routine health care. Email 
Today, the United States House of Reps approved a bill that extends critically-needed federal Medicaid funding for California that will help over 71,000 Santa Clara County children get the care they need to stay healthy and in school. California will receive approximately $1.3 billion to protect essential health care services for more than 3.5 million children enrolled in the Medi-Cal program. As California struggles with a mounting budget deficit, this funding will make it easier for the Governor and Legislature to avoid balancing the budget with cuts that will jeopardize the health and safety of our children. 
UPS employee, Adam Kraten has been giving to the United Way campaign since 1982 when the two organizations began their relationship. "My goal in life is to leave it better than I found it. It is what I teach my children. My giving to United Way started when someone leaned over and said just give a buck. It grew from there as I got more involved and saw the faces that my money helped. Now, I just enjoy staying involved.... I get more than I give." Adam has managed the UPS San Jose Distribution Center's United Way campaign for over five years. Thank you for your support and your commitment to building a brighter future for local people.