Field Advocacy Project

Overview

Devolution, the process of shifting authority to state and local governments over decisions previously made at the federal level, provided much of the genesis for NCLR’s field advocacy work, since the potential positive outcomes of devolution can only be fully realized if all segments of the population, including Latinos, are thoroughly represented at the decision-making table. NCLR’s public policy expertise at the federal level, which includes a number of key issues also significant at the state level, has provided fertile ground for collaboration with state and local groups engaged in education, health, economic mobility, civil rights, and immigration issues. Through this work, NCLR hopes to create greater synergy among advocates working at the local, state, and federal levels, provide a state perspective in shaping the organization’s national advocacy work, and disseminate information to affiliates and other partners regarding the implications of federal policy debates on their states. Field advocacy has followed two approaches:

Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) Model

Through this approach, NCLR has lent assistance to a large number of state and local groups to strengthen their role as promoters of grassroots leadership and agents of social change. As part of this effort, NCLR has prepared and disseminated a wide range of policy materials, organized advocacy and media training sessions, and provided technical assistance to groups, particularly in the areas of education, health, criminal justice, and immigration. For example, NCLR's work with local groups has contributed to significant school-wide reforms in Denver, and to the prevention of low-income tenant displacement in Washington, DC. In the area of immigration, NCLR has been working with groups around the country – including California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Utah – providing materials and training, as well as assisting in drafting and advancing legislation.

NCLR Staff Model

This approach builds on NCLR’s proven record of advocacy successes by placing NCLR staff in selected state capitals to work on legislative affairs of interest to the Latino community. The cornerstones of this approach are Texas and California, the two states with the largest Latino populations and with the potential to set policy trends nationwide on issues affecting Latinos. Operations in Texas began at the end of 1998, and in California in 2001. A premium has been placed on forming coalitions with Latino and immigrant advocates in both states to advance policy agendas responsive to both communities.

To learn more about NCLR's policy work in California, visit our Sacramento Policy Office page.