Public Policy & Advocacy

Using the Action Alert System

The Center for People in Need sends Action Alerts to those signed up to receive calls to action. We provide information and an efficient means of communicating with policy makers.  If you do not currently receive our action alerts directly, click here and we will add you to our list. The public also can access action alerts on our web site.  To sign up to engage even more in advocacy, see ‘How Can I Help.’

Following are instructions on how to use our action alert system.

When you receive an alert via e-mail, there will be a link that takes you to a response page.  If you pull up an alert on our web site, the response page will be available on that page.

Completing the Response Page

Message Subject:  Enter the subject so the policy maker receiving your e-mail will immediately know why you are sending a message.  If your message relates to a specific bill, it is helpful to include it, for example, LB6 - Behavioral Health Care for Children.

Talking Points and Sample Letters:  We provide you with Talking points and Sample letters you can use in drafting your message.  Click on what you want to view and it will appear in the box below those tabs.

Message Box:  This is the message that will be sent to the selected recipient(s).

  • Do NOT include a salutation.  The program automatically includes the appropriate greeting for each message.
  • You can compose your own message and/or text provided in Talking Points and Sample Letters. Simply select and drag or copy and paste text into your message. 
  • When using Sample Letters, please use text from the different letters to avoid policy makers receiving multiple identical messages.
  • When using Sample Letter or Talking Points, you are encouraged to alter the text to reflect your personal writing style.  At minimum please change the opening and closing of your message.

Message Closing: Please enter a ‘Yours truly,’ ‘Sincerely’ or other signoff.  And, your message will be more effective if you sign your name.

Recipients: Below the Message Closing box is the list of persons who will receive your message.

  • If you do not want to send a message to a particular person(s) listed among recipients, click on the check mark next to that name to remove him/her from recipients.  
  • The Center for People in Need is listed among recipients to receive your message.  If you do not want the Center to receive a copy, click on the check mark next to the agency name.
  • If you want to send a different message to one of several listed individuals, it will be necessary to return to the received Action Alert and bring up another Response Page.
  • Click the ‘Send Your Message’ button.

You are done! And you have taken part in impacting upon public policy. THANK YOU!