Family service providers cannot afford not to get involved in advocating for family-friendly public policy, in the face of legislation that jeopardizes family programs. Designed for community-based program providers, this guide asserts the importance of advocacy for families at the state and federal legislature level. Sections of the guide are: (1) "What Is Public Policy?" (2) "What Is Advocacy?"; (3) "Involving Parents," giving reasons to involve parents in the advocacy process; (4) "A Step-by-Step Guide to Advocacy"; (5) "What's the Occasion?," detailing steps for advocacy, including forming an advocacy team, finding out who represents you, and meeting with your lawmakers; (6) "The Pay-Off," asserting that advocacy is the way to make government responsive to the needs of children, youth, and families; and (7) "Lobbying Rules for Tax-Exempt Nonprofits." Short case studies of three different advocacy efforts are included. (BGC)