There are a number of ways you can get involved in NWMAP. Stay tuned to this web page for new ideas and events.

1. Come to Dallas/Ft. Worth in November for NWMAP's Second Summit

The National Welfare Monitoring & Advocacy Partnership (NWMAP) will hold a national welfare summit at the Holiday Inn Central in Dallas/Ft. Worth November 20-22, 1998.

This grassroots summit is an opportunity to come together to continue to share current knowledge as well as implement our assessment tool nationally. The summit also will feature skill-building sessions on monitoring, grassroots organizing, and media advocacy, as well an opportunity to hear case studies of effective local and state monitoring and advocacy efforts. Above all, the summit offers a unique chance to network with other advocates and researchers and to help shape NWMAP's 1999 work plan. See the National Welfare Summit Agenda and Registration Form for more information.

2. Hold or Participate in the December 10, 1998 Day of Action

NWMAP is gearing up for the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Many communities will be holding candlelight vigils, and some will be releasing a report by Jobs with Justice and the National Priorities Foundation on the lack of living wage jobs for people leaving welfare. More information -- including how to particpate in the report release, activity ideas, and a list of participating communities -- will be posted here shortly.

3. Start a Monitoring Project

Grassroots monitoring is a critical means of gathering information about the impact of changing welfare policies on people's lives. This information is needed to educate policy makers and the public, and ultimately to help improve programs and change policies.

If your community is not involved in welfare monitoring project, NWMAP can help you start one. Our survey instrument will soon be available for use, along with supporting materials to help you implement your project. We can also help with data aggregation and analysis. For more information on starting a monitoring project, please call Cheryl Amey, chair of NWMAP's Monitoring Implementation Committee, at the Children's Defense Fund, at 202.662.3556, or email at camey@childrensdefense.org.

4. Share Information About Existing Projects

If your community is involved in a monitoring project, we would like to learn about it and add it to our database of existing projects. If you aren't sure if your community is monitoring welfare, we may be able to help you find out. Please contact Cheryl Amey at 202.662.3556, or email at camey@childrensdefense.org, with news or questions about monitoring projects.

5. Get Involved in NWMAP's Media Watch

NWMAP's Media Watch was created to help respond to misinformation and inaccuracies about welfare and poverty contained in newspaper articles, television shows, and other media. The Media Watch highlights articles containing errors and provides a space for responding to them. In doing so, NWMAP hopes to provide a more balanced account of the reality of poverty and the impact of changing policies on people's lives.

If you would like to share information or news articles with NWMAP for posting in the Media Watch, please contact Barbara Duffield at the National Coalition for the Homeless at 202.737.6444, ext. 312, or email at nch@ari.net.

6. Share Information About Local Advocacy Campaigns

Communities are responding to welfare "reform" with creative advocacy and organizing campaigns designed to change local or state policies and help families and individuals achieve economic viability. Sometimes these campaigns are focused on mitigating harmful provisions, such as full-family sanctions, or improving access to needed resources like child care.

While welfare policies vary greatly by state and community, there is much to be learned from successful campaigns and ongoing efforts. If your organization has been involved in a successful welfare advocacy campaign, please let us know. Please contact Bob Erlenbusch at the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness at 213.746.6511, or HN1674@handsnet.org.

7. Become a NWMAP Partner

NWMAP partners are engaged in monitoring, research, organizing, or advocacy efforts. Not all partners are involved in monitoring projects; similarly, not are all partners involved in advocacy activities. NWMAP joins researchers and advocates in a collaborative effort. Partners help carry out NWMAP activities in their communities and may join in NWMAP conference calls and work groups.

To join as a NWMAP partner, please contact Barbara Duffield at the National Coalition for the Homeless, nch@ari.net, 202.737.6444, ext. 312, or Cheryl Amey at the Children's Defense Fund, camey@childrensdefense.org, 202.662.3556.