Born in the U.S.A.: Resources for Change

An Introduction

Change occurs in many ways, and we support change in ways we may not expect. From the decisions we make with our family for how we are going to birth a new baby, to the lever we pull in the voting booth, our preferences and our opinions affect not only our own lives, but the options that are available to others.

This guide is intended to support the difficult but worthwhile process of creating change through a legislative route, particularly as it relates to policies and laws that govern how, where, and with whom our children come into the world. While working in the legislative arena is not the way everyone would choose to use their time, it is an arena where participation is crucial. It is also an arena that may—for many—seem off-limits, or of elevated status.

The most important thing to remember is that legislators are supposed to represent you. Even when you hold a viewpoint that is in direct opposition to their own, they have to listen, and they are supposed to act on your behalf: whether or not you voted for them.

We hope this guide can demystify the process, provide some creative ideas for becoming involved in public policy, and most of all, support your important efforts.

Many thanks to Citizens for Midwifery for material adapted from their web site. You can link to them here, for a lot more excellent information.

In Your Town

For information about legislative support and initiatives in your area, go to Citizens for Midwifery's State-by-State Information page.

Inspiration on TV?

BORN IN THE U.S.A. is scheduled for broadcast in the following communities:

9 p.m., March 7
WHUT/Washington

11:30 pm, March 19, KUED/Salt Lake City

Midnight, March 22
K TEH/San Jose

Midnight, March 23
KVCR/Los Angeles

10 p.m., March 23
WPTO/Cincinnati

10:30 p.m., March 29
KQED/San Francisco

Links to important partners

ITVS
PBS

© Patchworks Productions, 2001
Permission to reproduce these materials is hereby granted
with appropriate credit, and notification.



An Introduction Change occurs in many ways, and we support change in ways we may not expect. From the decisions we make with our family for how we are going to birth a new baby, to the lever we pull in the voting booth, our preferences and our opinions affect not only our own lives, but the options that are available to others. This guide is intended to support the difficult but worthwhile process of creating change through a legislative route, particularly as it relates to policies and laws that govern how, where, and with whom our children come into the world. While working in the legislative arena is not the way everyone would choose to use their time, it is an arena where participation is crucial. It is also an arena that may—for many—seem off-limits, or of elevated status. The most important thing to remember is that legislators are supposed to represent you. Even when you hold a viewpoint that is in direct opposition to their own, they have to listen, and they are supposed to act on your behalf: whether or not you voted for them. We hope this guide can demystify the process, provide some creative ideas for becoming involved in public policy, and most of all, support your important efforts. Many thanks to Citizens for Midwifery for material adapted from their web site. You can link to them here, for a lot more excellent information.	In Your Town For information about legislative support and initiatives in your area, go to Citizens for Midwifery's State-by-State Information page. Inspiration on TV? BORN IN THE U.S.A. is scheduled for broadcast in the following communities: 9 p.m., March 7 WHUT/Washington 11:30 pm, March 19, KUED/Salt Lake City Midnight, March 22 K TEH/San Jose Midnight, March 23 KVCR/Los Angeles 10 p.m., March 23 WPTO/Cincinnati 10:30 p.m., March 29 KQED/San Francisco Links to important partners ITVS PBS
© Patchworks Productions, 2001 Permission to reproduce these materials is hereby granted with appropriate credit, and notification.