Advocacy Platform

​​The Board on Aging and Long Term Care's advocacy platform serves as a strategic guide by establishing agency direction for systems advocacy. It ensures that the Board of Directors and agency leadership are aligned in their messaging and supports timely and effective responses to fast-moving legislative and policy changes.

This platform is designed to fit within the agency's mission and serves:

1. Wisconsin long-term care consumers (ages 60+), and
2. Medicare beneficiaries in Wisconsin.​

This platform focuses on consumer-driven advocacy and is not an endorsement for any candidates or political parties. It does not require the Board or the agency to take a position on every proposal. Wis. Stat. 16.009 governs the actions of the agency.

Core Elements

This platform includes three key elements:

1. Advocacy Framework. Informs the agency's advocacy efforts, ensuring they are grounded in mission and values and reflective of clients served.
2. Policy Pillars. A Board-approved set of ideals and principles guiding positions and actions related to legislation, administrative policy, and public systems affecting the populations served.
3. Annual Policy Initiatives. Targeted, specific goals or topics to be addressed by the agency; reviewed and approved on an annual basis by the Board.

Goals

1. Elevates the Consumer Voice. Proactively communicates a consumer-centered vision of aging and quality care in Wisconsin, ensuring the voice of the consumer is central in the conversation.
2. Establishes Board Approved Positions. Amplifies and unifies the voice of the Board of Directors on behalf of consumers.
3. Establishes the Board as a Supporter. Communicates to consumers that the Board on Aging and Long Term Care is a reliable and trusted advocate for their rights and choices.
4. Secures a Consistent Public Voice. Provides an approved compass for agency leadership when asked for the Board's position on fast-moving proposed legislation ​or administrative changes.
5. Maximizes Efficiency. Keeps Board meetings focused on high-level, systemic impact within the agency mission and scope.
6. Enables Proactive Leadership. Supports proactive engagement with policymakers by identifying principles and engagement criteria before legislation is introduced.
7. Records Institutional Intent. Maintains a record of the Board's guiding principles that ensures continuity as Board membership or agency staff changes.