ONCE1108 - Certificate in Public Policy Advocacy

Course Description

As a resident, constituent, or member of a group or organization, you have power and the right to communicate your thoughts and ideas to all forms of your government (local, state and federal) and influence policy. Whether you’re a community member looking to address a specific issue in your neighborhood or someone looking to see big change at the federal level, public policy advocacy can be an excellent opportunity to influence government to adopt laws, regulations and priorities that work towards solutions to these problems.  This course will help you understand and influence the legislative process and elevate the issues that are important to you. You’ll gain the tools and learn the strategies to champion your vision, including enacting elements of an advocacy campaign plan that includes writing letters and op-eds, giving testimony, setting up legislative visits, and more.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Explain the principles of community-based participatory advocacy as a tool for social change.
• Relate the key elements of policy advocacy and the methods and skills advocates can employ to effectively influence policy.
• Build a campaign plan with strategies and a roadmap to advance specific issues.
• Practice the skills of advocacy.

Instructor Biography

Dwayne is a health and equity advocate working to help build healthier communities. He has held leadership positions in prominent non-profit organizations including The Food Trust, where he served as the Director of External Affairs and helped lead local, state and national advocacy and health equity efforts. He is an appointed member and Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on African-American Males and the Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council where he Chairs the Health Subcommittee, serves on the boards of Greater Philadelphia Philanthropy Network, where he Chairs the DEI Subcommittee, the American Heart Association, and the Alliance for Agriculture in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dwayne is also a co-founder of the Philadelphia Black Giving Circle, is a former U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, and is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader. In 2020, Dwayne co-founded Just Strategies, an organization dedicated to helping people lead the change they envision for themselves and their communities.  

Cancellation, Withdrawal and Refund Policy

A participant who withdraws from a non-credit course, in writing, up to one-week prior to the starting date of the course, will receive a refund, minus a $25 withdrawal fee; for all certificate programs the withdrawal fee is $50. For courses costing $75 or less, the withdrawal fee is $10 per course. No refunds will be given after that time. E-mail your withdrawal request to: course.withdrawals@temple.edu. Please note that if you do not officially withdrawal from a course and you do not attend the course, you are still responsible for payment. Temple University reserves the right to cancel a course for any reason. If the course is cancelled, you will be notified and your entire tuition will be refunded.