POLICY ADVOCACY
We take the following steps:
- Develop strategies and programming built on OLHC’s mission, vision, strategic goals, and policy priorities.
- Operationalize OLHC’s advocacy strategies to determine levels of support needed to achieve our policy priorities.
- Collaborate with partner organizations to strengthen our collective leadership to increase our advocacy capacity.
- Communicate with a wide range of stakeholders related to legislative goals and activities. Stakeholders include but not limited to community members, organizational partners, policymakers and elected officials.
- Engage in and support issue analysis and policy research that strengthens our advocacy and communications work.
- Develop a field plan that activates OLHC’s base to support our mission focused on health care equity and inclusion.
- Support and train Latino and immigrant communities in the democratic process (i.e. legislative advocacy, canvassing, phone banks, public testimony, community forums).
- Organize and carry out expanded leadership training and other events to build individual and community capacity, in collaboration with key partners throughout Oregon Grassroots Advocacy Networks.
Vision: Latinos in Oregon achieve optimal health and wellness.
Mission: The Oregon Latino Health Coalition advances the health of Latinos through policy, advocacy, and prevention.
About OLHC’s Priorities
The Oregon Latino Health Coalition’s policy agenda calls for policy change that advances the social determinants of health for Latine/a/x Oregonians to improve health outcomes and community wellness. Conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, play and age contribute largely to health inequities. The Latine/a/x community is the largest and fastest-growing population in Oregon. Yet, while Latine/a/x health status is improving in some areas, disparities still exist in health access and outcomes. As the population continues to grow, ensuring they have the opportunities they need to thrive is increasingly important. We are deeply committed to improving health outcomes for Latine/a/x Oregonians through policy change. The Policy and Advocacy team aims to bring more culturally and linguistically specific resources to the Latine/a/x community and build effective cross-sector partnerships to influence change.
Policy Criteria
Required Criteria:
- Health Equity: Advances OLHC’s vision to support Latinos in achieving optimal health and wellness. This supports immigrants and undocumented communities and those that need linguistically and culturally responsive resources.
- Community-led or focused: The Latine/a/x community is engaged in the development to strengthen the community and build new partnerships to demonstrate community support.
- Commitment and distribution of resources: Ensure resources are accessible to the Latine/a/x community. Opportunities needed to thrive, not limited to funding and resources.
Optional Criteria:
- Capacity Building: Support and promote OLHC policy and advocacy mission. For example, this can also support the overall growth of the Latino Emotional Health Collaborative (LEHC). LEHC is a group that raises awareness and advances the emotional and behavioral health of Latine/a/x community.
Policy Process
Organizations may submit endorsement requests for statewide and local policy priorities aimed at improving health outcomes for Latine/a/x Oregonians. Proposed policies must be submitted by the policy lead agency. OLHC’s policy team then reviews and elects the appropriate level of engagement that most closely aligns with our mission and meets our required criteria. The Latino Health Policy and Advocacy Coordinator will contact agency endorsement requests.
In order to be considered for endorsement organizations/coalitions must fill out the following form: OLHC Legislative Endorsements. For more information, please contact Melissa Belmontes, Latino Health Policy & Advocacy Coordinator at melissa@orlhc.org or (971) 229-0482