Once The Law Is In Place, What Now? The Importance of Administrative Advocacy
Administrative advocacy aims to shape the way laws are carried out by government agencies, rather than the laws themselves. It encompasses various roles concerned with influencing the creation, application, or change of rules and regulations that government agencies put in place to implement the law.
What does administrative advocacy look like:
Commenting on proposed rules or regulations.
Requesting enforcement of existing regulations.
Representing parties in administrative hearings.
For example, advocacy and public conversation around access to SNAP or Medicaid usually considers eligibility, but many eligible people are not enrolled in these programs. More so, those who enroll frequently fall off programs over time, creating coverage gaps and increasing administrative burdens on participants and state agencies. Often people who are eligible for both SNAP and Medicaid are only enrolled in one of them, while others must submit the same information multiple times to remain enrolled in both programs.
Administrative advocacy focuses on identifying opportunities to improve how the law is being carried out by agencies based on the lived experiences of those navigating the system. This could look like advocating for agencies to focus on streamlining processes, improve outreach, and advocate for policy changes that reduce barriers to access, ultimately making it easier for eligible individuals to enroll and stay enrolled.
Administrative advocacy is a critical advocacy tool to create change in our communities and could be an “easier” and quicker way to start the important conversations with state agencies.
Resources:
https://afj.org/resource/administrative-advocacy/
https://hls.harvard.edu/bernard-koteen-office-of-public-interest-advising/about-opia/what-is-public-interest-law/public-interest-work-types/administrative-advocacy/