The document provides strategies for building and maintaining long-term relationships with congressional offices to influence public policy through advocacy. It recommends doing research on the member's interests and constituency in order to tailor advocacy efforts. Maintaining regular communication through thank you letters, site visits, town halls, and being available as a resource on issues are important for keeping the relationship ongoing. Getting to know key staffers and inviting them on site visits can also help strengthen an advocacy partnership.

1. Strategies for Engaging Congress: Building a Long Term Relationship With a Congressional Office Hazel L. Weiss, M.A., M.S. Co-chair, National Shelter Plus Care Coalition Housing and Community Development Manager Alameda County Housing and Community Development Department 224 W. Winton Avenue, Room 108, Hayward, CA 94544 [email_address] (510) 670-5941 www.acgov.org/cda/hcd July 13, 2011

3. It could look like this: Representative Fortney “Pete” Stark (D) California Advocacy Visit, Washington D.C. February 2003

4. Or this: Senator Barbara Boxer (D) California Hill Day July 2010