“ICOY applauds the passage of the FY2020 Illinois State Budget” artfully integrates the Building Well-Being Narrative throughout its press statement acknowledging the state’s new investments in its children, youth, and families. We selected a sampling of ICOY’s exemplary reframing language and strategies to share with you. The statement:
- Uses the value of human potential, including the benefits to society, early in the text: “We know that all children and youth have the capacity to succeed; when our young people can achieve their potential, they are able to give back and contribute to our society in positive ways.”
- Incorporates the construction metaphor.
- By referring to those who will benefit from investments as people “who need community support to weather life’s storms,” indicating they’re affected by factors outside of their control.
- By referencing investments in child and youth-serving systems with maintenance and repair language: “rebuilding the human service infrastructure,” “shore up the foundation,” “repair what has been broken,” and “stabilize these systems.”
- Maintains a reasonable tone and is solutions-oriented.
According to ICOY’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Durbin, “The Building Well-Being Narrative has resonated with policymakers and staffers alike and provides the scaffolding on which to hang requests for increased investments in children and families.” In particular, Durbin notes, “The value of human potential and construction metaphor make human services more accessible to those outside the sector who may not be as familiar with how the services contribute to individual and community well-being.”
Please share your organization’s reframed policy and advocacy communications with Bridget Gavaghan, National Reframing Initiative Director.
