Current legislative bills which affect children and youth in Maine 

• LD 63 “An Act to Increase Access to After-school Programs”
• LD 65 “An Act to Provide Funding for Mentoring Programs”

 Invest in ME Now legislation
 The role of the Network is to inform and educate the communities, businesses and legislators about the importance and benefits of afterschool programming. The Network does not endorse any particular legislation.

• Invest in ME Now  

Find your Legislator

• http://janus.state.me.us/house/townlist.htm

Tips for Grassroots Advocacy From the Maine People's Alliance

• http://www.mainepeoplesalliance.org/resources
  

Advocating for afterschool programs takes all of us, providers, parents, teachers, youth and community members. Having a clear, unified message to give our elected officials will increase our ability to continue to have many quality afterschool programs in Maine.

Tailoring your message to your elected officials’ interests will help you get their attention. The three one-pagers below have different focuses: one is focused around the improvement in academic achievement, another is focused around public safety, and the last is focused around community and adult-child relationships. Use one or all to send the message that afterschool programs are important to the youth they serve, the families they serve, and the communities they are in.

• Communities and Afterschool Programs in Maine
• Education and Afterschool Programs in Maine
• Public Safety and Afterschool Programs in Maine

Tips to REMEMBER:

• You are the boss. You should be courteous but not intimidating. Elected officials and their staff work for you.
• Follow up. The elected official should be held accountable for any statements made to you. Follow up to see how your elected officials support afterschool funding.
  • Find and Contact your Senator and Representative: janus.state.me.us/house/townlist.htm

For more tips and resources on advocacy, contact the After School Network or visit www.afterschoolalliance.org.