NDBN Lobby Days

NDBN’s annual Lobby Days is an opportunity specific to the needs of diaper bank leaders and child poverty advocates, offering training, policy discussion, networking and meetings with legislators and their staff.

We’ve heard that some diaper bank leaders, while excited about NDBN Lobby Days, think that they cannot participate because their organization is recognized as a 501(c)(3).

Fear not! Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations can both advocate and lobby. (You can learn more about advocacy vs. lobbying here.)

NDBN Lobby Days 2024

Dates: April 9 & 10, 2024

Registration: Closed for 2024

Scholarships: Closed for 2024

What to expect

  • Training Workshop with Lobbying and Advocacy Experts
  • Policy Updates
  • Lobbying Guides and Resources
  • Pre-Scheduled Appointments with Congressional Staff
  • and More

Working Agenda

  • Day 1  –  Prepare for meetings
  • Day 2 Meet with Representatives

Scholarships

NDBN is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for scholarships for this year’s Lobby Days which will be held April 9 – 10, 2024 in Washington, D.C. A limited number of scholarships are available for NDBN members who are attending Lobby Days. Scholarships are open now and close January 22. Learn more and apply here.

Preparing for future NDBN Lobby Days

The 118th United States Congress convened on January 3, 2023.  National Diaper Bank Network is working with elected officials to introduce new legislation and re-introduce bills from the previous Congress, related to material basic necessities for individuals, children and families.  Updates will be posted here once they become available. NDBN encourages interested advocates to review current bills in Congress as well as materials from previous years. New information is posted as it becomes available.

Previous Bills Introduced during 117th Congress (January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023)

The End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (S.304)

Introduced February 8, 2021 by Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL) and co-sponsored by Senators Kevin Cramer (ND), Robert Casey (PA), Richard Durbin (IL), Kristen Gillibrand (NY) and Tina Smith (MN), the bipartisan End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (S.304) would provide targeted funding for States and other eligible entities through the Social Services Block Grant program to address the increased burden that maintaining the health and hygiene of infants and toddlers, medically complex children, and low-income adults or adults with disabilities who rely on adult incontinence materials and supplies place on families in need, the resultant adverse health effects on children and families, and the limited child care options available for infants and toddlers who lack sufficient diapers and diapering supplies, and for other purposes.

More information on the S.304 is available below:

Lee-DeLauro End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (H.R.259)

Introduced January 11, 2021 by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT), the End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (H.R.259) would create a $100 million demonstration program for distributing free diapers and diapering products in states, communities, and nonprofits around the nation to help reduce the diaper need in low-income families and underserved communities.

More information on the H.R.259 is available below:

COVID-19 Diaper Assistance Act (S.237)

Introduced February 4, 2021 by Senators Chris Murphy (CT) and Joni Ernst (IA), and co-sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (ME), Robert Casey (PA) Tammy Duckworth (IL), Kristen Gillibrand (NY), and Thom Tillis (NC), the bipartisan COVID-19 Diaper Assistance Act (S.237) would provide $200 million in additional funds through the Social Services Block Grant program for diaper assistance.

H.R.886

Introduced February 5, 2021 by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA) H.R.886 would provide funds through the Social Services Block Grant program for diaper assistance.

Previous Bills in Congress

  • 2019 – H.R. 1846 – End Diaper Need Act of 2019
  • H.R. 1846 End Diaper Need Act of 2019
  • End Diaper Need Act of 2019 fact sheet
  • End Diaper Need Act Section Summary
  • Organization Support Letter for Intro

Review Your State’s Diaper Facts

Meetings go best when constituents know how a bill or proposed course of action will affect the congressional district. Statistics about child poverty, the number of people you serve, and how many more in your area would benefit from a diaper program, can illustrate how important this bill is for your area. NDBN’s State Diaper Statistics arrange important information about your state’s poverty rates, how many children are enrolled in WIC and TANF, how much of a monthly TANF check a month’s supply of diapers can eat, and other key indicators.

You can also learn information about your congressional district, such as the poverty rate of families with children under 5, the percentage of single moms with children under 5, and other key economic indicators on the Census Bureau’s My Congressional District website.

Another map you might want to check out is the Center for American Progress’ poverty indicators map. By clicking on your state, you can pull up a number of poverty indicators.

Build Your Story Bank

Just as when speaking to donors, stories can convey the importance of your work and why a diaper distribution program in your state could make such a difference. You can find tips here and here and here.

Get to Know Your Congressional Representatives

You might want to do some reading in advance to find out more about your Congressional representative. Ballotpedia is a great source, as is your Congressional representative’s web page.