EQUITY & OPPORTUNITY IS ACHIEVED BY BREAKING DOWN SYSTEMIC BARRIERS THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ACHIEVING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH ADVOCACY, INNOVATION AND BOLD STRATEGIC PLANNING WITHIN GOVERNMENTAL SPACES.
PUBLIC POLICY
The Government Relations & Affairs office is responsible supporting Wayside’s mission and vision by cultivating and strengthening the relationships with elected and appointed federal, state and local officials, as well as national, state and local coalitions and trade groups advocating for a myriad of pressing policy and legislative issues.
FEDERAL POLICY
Wayside Youth & Family tracks and advocates for federal legislation that improves access to mental health care for children and youth through policy advocacy, education and sustainable initiatives that affect the well-being of children, families and the communities they reside in.
WYF’s priorities come from a variety of policy areas, with a focus on development initiatives and municipal relief measures to help cities and towns continue to provide quality services with efficiency. WYF’s legislative priorities are grounded in CLM 2025, Greater Massachusetts and a policy plan to make the region more equitable, more prosperous, and more sustainable. Policy changes are one of the core tactics to make this plan a reality.
The team works in collaboration with the Advocacy committee to develop action items and to advocate on behalf of the members of our regional community. The Committee includes leaders from our various programmatic sites and areas as well as members of advocacy organizations we work with closely.
The Government Affairs team works to promote smart growth goals at the local, regional, state, and federal levels.
Wayside Youth & Family actively promotes its legislative agenda by working collaboratively with our member trade organizations, coalition partners and members of the Legislature on a number of key initiatives in an effort to create and implement change in regulations and delivery of services to Youth, their Families and the communities they reside in.
STATE POLICY
Wayside Youth & Family tracks and advocates for State legislation and budget items that impact and /or improves access to mental health care for children and youth through policy advocacy, education and sustainable initiatives across the commonwealth.
Questions?
For more information about Wayside’s legislative and budget priorities or the Legislative Advocacy Committee, contact Government Affairs & External Relations VP, Aaliyah Bannister-Batie or Aaliyah_BannisterBatie@waysideyouth.org
