ADVOCACY

TAP Silicon Valley Advocacy Institute
"Man's Capacity For Goodness Makes Persuasion A Very Powerful Influence, But His Inclination Towards Evil Sometimes Makes Coercion A Necessity"...Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Autism Project Silicon Valley offers advocacy trainings and workshops to activist, caregivers, community members, parents and service providers. Our trainings discuss history and the economic, political and social influences behind systemic biases. We emphasize conflict management, communications and facilitation skills as tools for successful advocacy. Role-play and group activities allow participants to practice skills and techniques discussed during the training process.


Though our focus is on children, education and disability advocacy, the rules, skills and techniques required for successful advocacy are universal in their application. Whether you are advocating for cleaner neighborhoods, labor/worker rights or for accessibility to a fair education; the skills required for successful activism and advocacy apply in any and all situations.

ADVOCACY INSTITUTE TRAINING SYLLABUS
DAY ONE (4hrs.)
-Advocacy: Historical Perspective
Lecture/Discussion
-Advocacy 101
Lecture #1- What Is Advocacy
Lecture #2- Why is Advocacy Needed
Lecture #3- Rules of Advocacy

DAY TWO (4hrs.)
-Rules of Advocacy
Independent Advocacy vs Systemic Advocacy
De-Escalation of Conflict
Proper Escalation of conflict
Tools of the trade
Challenges and Pitfalls
Establishing trust
Understanding roles
Expectations vs Limitations

DAY THREE (4hrs.)
-Advocacy Process
Role of the Advocate
Advocate as an advisor
Advocate as a facilitator
Advocate as a source of information
Advocate as spokesperson
-Clarification and Discovery
Defining the issues
Research and Case Development

DAY FOUR (4hrs.)
-Meeting Etiquette
Setting the tone
Establishing realistic goals
Effective facilitation
Communications Workshop
Communications Skills
Conflict Resolution

DAY FIVE (4hrs.)
-Independent Advocacy Process
Conflict Resolution
Facilitating Conversation
Role Play
Review/Q&A

DAY SIX (4hrs.)
-Systemic Advocacy Process
Facilitation Process/Activating The Network
The Collaboration Process: Challenges and Pitfalls
Establishing trust
Understanding roles
Expectations vs Limitations

DAY SEVEN (4hrs)
-Advocacy Process
Review
Role Play Scenarios
Questions/Answers

DAY EIGHT (4hrs.)
-Advocacy Process
Review
Questions/Answers
Graduation Ceremonies