The pieces contained in this subsection of the website are designed to provide advocates with tools and knowledge to maximize the effectiveness of their efforts.

The Basics

• The Basics of Advocacy: The First Amendment of the United States Constitution
• Understanding State Government

Getting Involved, Becoming Connected, and Staying Motivated

• How Do I Become an Effective Advocate for Brain Injury Issues?
• Connect with the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey's Advocacy & Public Affairs Service
• You Can Make a Difference: You Can Become Involved in the Political Process and Advocate for Your Brain Injury Related Causes
• Enhanced Advocacy Section of the Website Offers Promise of Enhanced Advocacy
• Community Organizing
• CHIC is a Win-Win Situation for its Members and the Brain Injury Community
• Brain Injury Should be Recognized Each and Every Month
• As Summer Heats Up, So Does Advocacy Efforts
• Mr. Clark Goes to Washington
• Receive Enews from Your Congressman 

The Legislative Branches of Government

• Understanding New Jersey's Legislature
• How a Bill Becomes a Law in New Jersey
• How a Bill Becomes a Law in the United States

Learning to Advocate

• Advocacy Processes & Tools
• The Advocacy Toolbox: "Tools of the Trade"
• Advocacy 101
• Communicating with the Grassroots
• Creating the Conditions for Change
• So You Wanna Be an Advocate?
• So You Wanna Be an Advocate? (with accompanying report)
• Brain Injury Association of America Offers Tips on Advocacy
• Questions Behind the Question
• Advocate to Both Inform AND Persuade
• Want to be an Effective Advocate? Be an Effective Listener

Legislative & Advocacy Roundup is our quarterly electronic newsletter on public policy issues related to brain injury.  It is distributed to the Alliance’s Legislative Network, members of the State Legislature, members of Congress, and their staff, as well as county freeholders and locally-elected officials.

Winter 2012 Edition Articles

• March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
• Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey holds Brain Injury Awareness Day at the State House
• Alliance Honors Congressman Pascrell
• Governor Christie signs bill to include cheerleading in student-athlete brain injury program
• Legislators introduce resolution memoralizing Congress and the President to enact the Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan Act

View Current Edition: Legislative Roundup Winter 2012

State of New Jersey

NJ State Government – Executive Branch

New Jersey Office of the Governor
Attorney General / Department of Law & Public Safety
Department of Banking & Insurance
Department of Community Affairs
Department of Education
Department of Health & Senior Services
Department of Human Services
Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Department of Public Advocate
Department of Transportation
United States Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Disability & Health 
United States Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy

NJ State Government – Legislative Branch

New Jersey State Legislature

Federal Government – Executive Branch

United States President George W. Bush
Administration on Aging
Administration on Developmental Disabilities
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Resources and Services Administration
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Department of Health & Human Services
Department of Labor - Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Federal TBI Program
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
National Institutes of Health
Rehabilitation Services Administration
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Federal Government – Legislative Branch

United States Senate
United States House of Representatives

Brain Injury Association of America

Brain Injury Association of America Policy Corner
A weekly update of brain injury-related policy issues under consideration in Washington, D.C.
Support the Brain Injury Association of America’s National Policy Efforts

Voting

Register to Vote

Miscellaneous

American Foundation for the Blind
American Association for People with Disabilities
Center for Healthcare Rights
Disabled in Action
Disabled Peoples International
Disabled Rights Education and Defense Fund
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Justice for All
Kaiser Family Foundation (focuses on major health issues affecting the nation)
National Association for the Deaf
National Council on Disability
Rehabilitation Services Administration
World Institute on Disability

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

Ability Self-Assessment
Checklist of Recommended Supplies
Emergency Health Information Form
Family Communication Plan
Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations
National Organization on Disabilities Emergency Preparedness Initiative
People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs
Prepare.org (From the American Red Cross)
Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs
Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tip for People with Developmental or Cognitive Disabilities
Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tip for People with Mobility Disabilities
Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tip for People with Sensory Disabilities
Salvation Army New Jersey
Transportation-specific Information from United States Department of Transportation
United Stated Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Disability
United States Department of Health & Human Services, Disasters & Emergencies Topics Page
United States Department of Justice's An ADA Guide To Local Governments Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible To People With Disabilities

How do I identify my Representatives in the New Jersey State Legislature?

First, visit the New Jersey Legislature website, then click on the name of your town.  The page will jump to your district number.  Click on your district number, and you should now see the name of the senator, who represents you in the State Senate, and the names of the assembly members, who represent you in the General Assembly.  You have one senator and two assembly members representing you in the New Jersey State Legislature.  Click on a particular representative’s name to learn more and obtain contact information.