Priorities

Priorities 2006

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The National Advocacy Center, guided by Gospel values, Catholic Social Teaching, and Good Shepherd spirituality, believes all people have a right to secure the basic necessities of life, expresses particular concern for the most vulnerable members of society, and affirms the responsibility of government to provide for the common good, promote equal opportunity for all, and ensure that the basic needs of all members of society are met.

Our priorities reflect the continuing mission of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to promote reconciliation and peace. Each year’s priorities draw directly from responses to a survey sent to Good Shepherd communities and agencies throughout the country and are affirmed by the National Advocacy Center Advisory Board. The priorities are divided into three levels delineating the most appropriate strategy for the National Advocacy Center’s involvement.

LEVEL ONE: highest priority, require NAC to take a leading role through proactive and intensive advocacy, lobbying, and research
LEVEL TWO: require monitoring, some joint lobbying with coalition partners, and reactive strategies, such as letters and alerts
LEVEL THREE: monitor and address through work with coalitions and occasional alerts

LEVEL ONE

Enhance Social Investment

· Preserving and improving the Social Safety Net

Support legislation that preserves and enhances welfare and work support programs such as child care, education and job training and affordable housing.

· Budget Fairness

Support balanced tax/spending policies and advocate for adequate resources for critical social services and international humanitarian assistance.

· Domestic Violence

Increase funding for domestic violence programs and strengthen supports and protections. Increase domestic violence outreach and education within government programs.

Increase Access to Healthcare

· Covering the Uninsured

Maintain/Improve Medicaid/SCHIP and support legislation to move toward universal health care coverage.

· Improving Mental Healthcare

Support legislation to provide mental health/substance abuse treatment parity and promote greater funding for and access to mental health services.

LEVEL TWO

Promote Human and Economic Security

· Human Trafficking

Support improvements to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act during its reauthorization and monitor enforcement of legislation. Continue advocacy for increased education about the issue among government agencies and programs.

· Juvenile Justice

Increase resources for juvenile justice, prevention programs, and positive youth development.

· Living Wage

Support legislation to increase the minimum wage as a step toward a living wage.

LEVEL THREE

Foster Reconciliation Nationally and Globally

· Immigration

Support legislation to lift restrictions on lawfully present immigrants’ receipt of federal benefits and support immigration reforms to help undocumented workers and students adjust to legal status.

· Peace Initiatives

Oppose excessive military spending and militarism. Support legislation to establish a federal Department of Peace and advocate peaceful conflict resolution.

· Global Economic Justice

Monitor funding and legislation for foreign aid and global health, and support fair trade initiatives and responsible international development.