Advocacy Initiatives

Legislative Call to Action: When TNAMFT or AAMFT issues an official Call to Action, this is an opportunity that is time-sensitive and has the potential for a strong and lasting impact!  If you are a member, you will receive an E-mail with instructions and updates about key bills.  Collectively, the TNAMFT Board, Legislative Committee, and our lobbyist is asking you to step up immediately to contact your legislators.  You may do this through personal visits, phone calls, emails, or handwritten letters. It’s common for TNAMFT to submit specially crafted Opinion Pieces for newspaper submission.  Despite the modality of communication, it is critical that our association would speak as a united front in message and en masse at exactly the right time.  

Day on the Hill:  TNAMFT’s lobbyist and advocacy experts have continually stressed the importance of association members making personal appearances at the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville to visit their legislators and advocate for the profession.  Whether you join us in Nashville on the designated day or you visit your legislator at the home office at a time that works for you, do not underestimate how much legislators don’t know about who we are and what we do as Marriage and Family Therapists.  These visits matter.

Donations for Advocacy in Tennessee: Sometimes threats to the profession or urgent needs arise that require our lobbyist or lawyer to serve beyond what is expected and contracted.  TNAMFT is creating an online avenue for its own members and the public-at-large to show support at these critical moments in time.  Our expectation is that these would be accessible through the new platform on our Wild Apricot website.   

Family TEAM:  When you join Family TEAM, you will be the first to know about national progress on key policies from the AAMFT Advocacy Team.  There is an online forum for TEAM members, so that members and entities within AAMFT may share strategies, pose questions, and dialogue about advocacy.  You will also receive first choice in registering for webinar participation and regular newsletters with news and informative content from within our national association.  This is a great way to orient yourself to the world of policy and government relations and how to make a difference to elevate mental health.  TNAMFT appoints an official Family TEAM liaison each year.