Navigation

• General

  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Links
  • Photo Gallery
  • Wish List
  • Jobs

• Mockingbird Times

  • About
  • Current Issue (PDF)
  • How to get Published
  • Mockingbird Times Archives

• ASK-Y

  • About
  • Meeting Minutes
  • Sealing of Juvenile Records Bill

• Mockingbird Family Model

  • About
  • Executive Summary
  • First Evaluation from the University of Washington (April 2004)
  • Second Evaluation from the University of Washington (September 2004)
  • Third Evaluation from the University of Washington (January 2005)
  • Fourth Report from the University of Washington (January 2006)
  • Fifth Report from the University of Washington (January 2007)

• Mockingbird Society

  • Board of Directors
  • Executive Director
  • Join Mockingbird
  • Indirect Cost Policy
  • Mockingbird in the News
  • Program Information
  • Training Institute

Legislative Testimony Outline

I. Introduction: Name, Affiliation and Special Context:

The goal of this initial piece is to greet the committee chair and committee members, thank them for hearing this piece of proposed legislation and introduce yourself-both to the committee and for the official record.

"Good Morning Madame Chair and members of the Committee. My name is John Doe and I am with agency XYZ and I am a 19 year old who recently left foster care. I want to thank you for hearing SB 5305."

II. Brief discussion about your experience and why the committee should pass this bill.

The goal is to give a clear statement of your support and what your stake in the situation is. For professionals it’s the number of youth that have needed this service or the professional experience that you have had that leads you to believe this is a good policy. For community folks it’s the investment in knowing that all youth are taken care of and have health care coverage. The example below is from a youth’s perspective.

"I have spent the past X years in foster care and when I left care I was basically on my own. I ended up not going to the doctor when I was sick and when I did go I went to the emergency room……If I had been able to get the support of this bill I would be able to take better care of my health……."

III. Specific Request and Thank You:

Goal: Make the direct request to pass the bill out of committee, thank them for their consideration and allowing you the opportunity to testify on this important issue.

"Again, I want to thank you for hearing this bill and I respectfully ask that you pass this bill out of the committee so that youth leaving foster care can have consistent, quality health care. Thank you."

You’ll do GREAT!