1/29/26- Federal decisions shape what communities can do. Funding rules, program guidance and legislative timelines can speed up proven solutions or slow them down. Advocacy works best when people set a clear goal, name a specific ask and follow through with intention.
The overdose crisis demands durable policy action and many advocates closest to the harm still face barriers to navigating Congress. This is why the Overdose Prevention Initiative at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) launched the U.S. Federal Advocacy Action Guide, now available on our free online learning platform, the Health Advocacy Training and Collaboration Hub (HATCH).
This guide is designed to support advocates who want to engage federal decision-makers with clarity and confidence. It offers a practical roadmap for individuals and groups seeking to understand how Congress works and how community voices can shape policy and funding decisions.
The guide supports advocates, impacted communities, service providers, public health leaders, and coalition partners by:
• Breaking down federal advocacy into clear, manageable steps
• Explaining who holds decision-making power and when
• Helping groups align messages, identify a specific ask and plan effective outreach
Whether you are brand new to federal advocacy or building on existing efforts, this resource is designed to help advocates move from concern to action and to mobilize in ways that can save lives.
“This guide fills a real gap. It helps us understand not just what to advocate for, but how to do it effectively at the federal level, while staying grounded in the realities facing people most impacted by overdose.” – Tamara Olt, Executive Director, Broken No More
“The Federal Advocacy Action Guide is an invaluable resource for recovery advocates. It provides practical tools, real examples and a clear pathway for engaging Congress in a way that is coordinated, credible and rooted in lived experience.” – Patty McCarthy, CEO, Faces and Voices of Recovery
Access the U.S. Federal Advocacy Action Guide and related tools on HATCH here (registration is required):
http://www.hatchadvocacy.org/us-federal-advocacy-action-guide