CINCINNATI (July 29, 2024) - For the last several years, United Way Worldwide has convened United Way colleagues from around the country at the U.S. Capitol to advocate for our organization’s legislative needs. This year, Public Policy and Advocacy Manager Hailey Barr had the honor of representing the Greater Cincinnati region.

The 2024 Advocacy Forum and Capitol Hill Day spanned two and a half days; the first portion focused on connecting United Way colleagues and sharing advocacy strategies that have worked for them. During this time, Hailey participated in conversations about advocacy technologies and innovations, state funding for 211 and engaging congressional representation across the aisle.

Following the roundtable discussions, participants were welcomed by United Way Worldwide President and CEO Angela F. Williams at an opening reception.

Leading up to United Way’s Day on Capitol Hill, participants visited the Department of Commerce for a half-day Partnerships Summit hosted by the Commerce Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (OFBNP). Participants engaged and learned about opportunities for collaboration with program implementation, policy matters and community engagement at both the national and local levels. The Summit wrapped up with a mini-fair of government agencies sharing available funding opportunities.

Finally, Hailey spent an entire day attending meetings with congressional representatives from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, including U.S. Representative Greg Landsman (OH-1), U.S. Senator Todd Young (IN), and Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (KY-4). During these meetings, United Way advocates shared the importance of supporting the Human-Services Employment Logistics Program (HELP) Act, reauthorizing the Farm Bill, and enhancing the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.

The HELP Act would offer necessary investments to continue building out 211 networks to provide additional support for communities in times of need. As one of three states without state funding for 211, this Act would be especially impactful for Ohio and greatly bolster the impact already being made in Indiana and Kentucky.

As for the Farm Bill, the entire Greater Cincinnati area would benefit from the preservation and strengthening of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In fact, more than 615,000 Hoosiers, 540,000 Kentuckians, and nearly 1.5 million Ohioans participated in SNAP during fiscal year 2022 and could receive more robust assistance. That boost would help families prepare for and secure jobs, buy groceries and secure stable housing.

Finally, expanding and enhancing the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit would help individuals support their families and build a foundation that can last for generations.

This work is vital to our organization and serves as one of our many avenues for helping families thrive. However, we cannot do this alone. We need you to raise your voice and let your congressional representatives know you support the HELP Act, the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, and the expansion of the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit.

Reaching out to your representatives takes only a few minutes and can make a huge difference for millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of your neighbors in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

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