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.

 There are many ways that diaper need can be met through legislation and other policies considered by the Congress or the Administration.

Federal Legislation

118th Congress (January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025)

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.

Duckworth-Cramer End Diaper Need Act of 2023 (S. 2879)

Introduced September 21, 2023 by Senator Tammy Duckworth and Senator Kevin Cramer, the Senate End Diaper Need Act would Authorize $200 million per year for fiscal years 2024 to 2027 to provide diapers and diapering supplies; Allow for 200 medically necessary diapers be provided per month for medically complex children through the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program; and Make medically necessary diapers and diapering qualified medical expenses so that families can purchase them using their HSAs or HRAs. Senator Duckworth and Senate Cramer were joined by Senator Bob Casey, Senator Tina Smith, and Senator Mark Kelly as original cosponsors of the bill. 

Lee-DeLauro End Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 5644)

Introduced September 21, 2023 by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, the End Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 5644) would appropriate $200 million each fiscal year from 2024-2027 to fund the expansion and scaling of programs addressing diaper need and improving the health and well-being of infants, toddlers, and families across America. This bill also defines diapers as “medically necessary” so that families can purchase them through health savings accounts and HRAs.

 

Watson Coleman-DeLauro-Lee Improving Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 3352)

Introduced May 15, 2023 by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the Improving Diaper Need Act of 2023 (H.R. 3352) would treat diapers as qualified medical expenses under Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)  and prohibit state and local sales taxes on diapers. 

Federal Funding for Diaper Banks

In 2022, the federal government appropriated $10 million and in 2023 appropriated $20 million in funding dedicated to expanding diaper distribution programs. This historic investment was championed by Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Barbara Lee and Senators Tammy Duckworth, Kevin Cramer, and Bob Casey, and was supported by numerous other Members of Congress. This funding represents the first time that the federal government has invested specifically in supporting diaper distribution programs across the country. For Fiscal Year 2024 (FY ‘24), our congressional champions are seeking $20 million in additional funding for diaper distribution programs.

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.