Advocate
Stand up for what you believe in.
Through advocacy, Aloha United Way is working to raise awareness of the issues related to our mission, provide access to tools for making change, and offer opportunities to take action. We believe that real, sustainable community improvement requires changes in public policy.
Aloha United Way's 2011 Public Policy Agenda
The below policy positions were recommended by Aloha United Way's Impact Councils or the Clearinghouse Sub-Committee of the Community Building Committee.
Crime & Drug Abuse
|
Position |
State/Federal Level |
Level of Engagement |
| Advocate for diversion and rehabilitation programs for those impeded by substance abuse. | State Level | Visible Involvement |
Early Childhood Development
|
Position |
State/Federal Level |
Level of Engagement |
| Support ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the need to prioritize our children first and continue our support of the Early Learning Council, which is charged with implementing the universally available pre-school program, Keiki First Steps | State Level | Visible Involvement |
| Advocate for a state-funded universal developmental screening program for 3 & 4 year olds. | State Level | Supportive Leadership |
| Advocate through UWW for re-authorization and funding for SCHIP, the national children’s health insurance program. | Federal Level | Visible Involvement |
Emergency and Crisis Services
| Position | State/Federal Level | Level of Engagement |
| Advocate for increased funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). | Federal Level | Visible Involvement |
Financial Stability and Independence
| Position | State/Federal Level | Level of Engagement |
| Establish a refundable State EITC tax credit. | State Level | Supportive Leadership |
| Enact the State Auditor’s recommendations on predatory lending practices. | State Level | Visible Involvement |
| Continue to support the Asset Building Task Force and advocate for removal of barriers on asset building; establishing children’s savings accounts; and enhancing financial literacy training. |
State Level | Visible Involvement |
| Establishment of Health Savings Accounts. | State Level | Visible Involvement |
Homelessness
|
Position |
State/Federal Level |
Level of Engagement |
| Advocate for a review of current government housing guidelines and rules to reduce any barriers in the application and approval process. | State Level | Visible Involvement |
| Advocate for the establishment of a Master Housing Plan for Workforce and Affordable Housing that will include State, City and private inventory, their expiration statuses and their plans to preserve and develop more inventory. | State Level | Visible Involvement |
| Advocate for enhanced assistance for those facing mortgage foreclosures. | State Level | Visible Involvement |
Clearinghouse Services (211, Gifts-in-Kind and Volunteer Hawaii)
|
Position |
State/Federal |
Level of |
| Support the “Calling for 211” bill which provides federal support for the operation of 211 services. |
Federal Level |
Visible Involvement |
| Support for the “Serve America Act” and the Volunteer Generation Fund. | Federal Level |
Visible Involvement |
