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Supporting Arkansas Families Since 1984
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81.1% of our income is spent on programs and services to support Arkansas families

OUR VISION is a world in which all persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease have the services that they need.

OUR MISSION is to provide the information and support needed so that all Arkansans affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are able to live with dignity and comfort until a cure is found.

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201 Markham Center Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205-1409
Phone: 501-224-0021 or
800-689-6090
Fax: 501-227-6303

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Advocacy and the Importance of Public Policy

Our mission at Alzheimer’s Arkansas is to serve the needs of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders through family support, education, advocacy, and encouraging research. An important part of our missions is to advocate for families and individuals who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

The whole idea of advocacy, literally, giving voice on behalf of another, shouldn’t seem like a brand new idea to people who care about people with Alzheimer’s or who have cared for a relative with AD. Any caregiver who has struggled to find medical care for an AD patient or has worked with a nursing home to provide better care for their loved one has been an advocate.

We need to involve more people in the process of deciding what public programs are needed to support our families and to do the work necessary to change public attitudes. We need to use what we have – our families, our passion, and the public opinion we can influence – to make our case. We need to mobilize our members, those in our support groups and our friends in other organizations. Through meetings, letters, phone calls, and other public actions we can capture the attention of decision makers and the media.

Writing to Members of Congress or Political Candidates:

Why? Legislators and candidates pay close attention to their mail. Letters are one of their most important what to judge whether an issue is important to their constituencies. The volume of letters received can affect the way they vote on or perceive an issue. Sometimes one letter can make a difference. If issues of concern to persons with Alzheimer’s and their families are to be addressed, a strong grassroots effort is required.

Tips: These suggestions for writing effective letters to legislators and candidates have been proven by experience:

  •  A personal letter is much more effective than a form letter – the more personal the better. A handwritten (if legible) letter is best, but individually typed and computer generated letters are fine.
  • Identify yourself as a constituent if you are one. If not, identify yourself as associated with Alzheimer’s Arkansas Programs and Services.
  • Focus on one issue (write a separate letter if you also have concerns about another subject). Try to stay to one page, two at the most.
  • In the first paragraph, identify the public policy issue that concerns you. Emphasize the need for policy makers to pay attention to the growing threat of Alzheimer’s as the population ages.
  • Using your own words, give reasons for your position. Explain how it affects you and your family. Mention relevant personal experiences or concerns if possible.
  • Be polite and persuasive. Name-calling, threats and sarcasm hurt our cause.
  • Be sure to put your complete return address on the letter as well as the envelope.
  • When writing to a candidate for a particular office, write to all of the candidates running. When writing to a member of Congress, write to both of your senators and your representative.
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    Arkansas’ U.S. Senators and Representatives are listed below:

    Mark Pryor Washington D.C. Office

    255 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg. 
    Washington, DC 20510
    Phone: (202) 224-2353
    Fax:  (202) 228-0908

    Arkansas Office

    The River Market
    500 Clinton Ave., Ste. 401
    Little Rock AR  72201
    Phone: (501) 324-6336
    Fax:  (501) 324-5320

     
     

    Website: www.pryor.senate.gov/public/

    Email: http://pryor.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactMe

    John Boozman Washington D.C. Office

    320 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
    Washington DC 20510
    Phone: (202) 224-4843
    Fax: (202) 228-1371

    Arkansas Office

    1401 West Capitol Avenue, Plaza F
    Little Rock AR 72201
    Phone: (501) 372-7153
    Fax: (501) 372-7163

    620 East 22nd Street, Ste. 204
    Stuttgart AR 72160
    Phone: (870) 672-6941
    Fax: (870) 672-6962

    1001 Hwy 62 East, Ste. 11
    Mountain Home AR 72653
    Phone: (870) 424-0129
    Fax: (870) 424-0141

    1120 Garrison Avenue, Ste. B
    Fort Smith AR 72901
    Phone: (479) 573-0189

    300 South Church Street, Ste. 400
    Jonesboro AR 72401
    Phone: (870) 268-6925
    Fax: (870) 268-6887

    1006 West Main Street, Ste. 104
    El Dorado AR 71730
    Phone: (870) 863-4641
    Fax: (870) 863-4105

    213 West Monroe, Ste. N
    Lowell AR 72745
    Phone: (479) 725-0400
    Fax: (479) 725-0408
     

    Website: www.boozman.senate.gov/public

    Email: http://boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me
     

    Representatives

     
    District 1
    Rick Crawford    		 Washington D.C. Office

    1408 Longworth House Office Bldg. 
    Washington DC 20515
    Phone: (202) 225-4076
    Fax:  (202) 225-5602

     

    		 Arkansas Office

    2400 Highland Drive, Ste. 300
    Jonesboro AR 72401
    Phone: (870) 203-0540
    Fax: (870) 203-0542

    116 North 1st Street, Ste. C-1
    Cabot AR 72023
    Phone: (501) 843-3043> Fax: (501) 843-4955

    1001 Hwy 62 East, Ste. 9
    Mountain Home AR 72653
    Phone: (870) 424-2075
    Fax: (870) 424-3149

     
    Website: www.house.gov/crawford

    Email: http://crawford.house.gov/Contact/

     
    District 2
    Tim Griffin    		 Washington D.C. Office

    1232 Longworth House Office Bldg.
    Washington DC 20515 
    Phone: (202) 225-2506
    Fax: (202) 225-5903

     

    		 Arkansas Office

    1501 North University, Ste. 150
    Little Rock AR 72201
    Phone: (501) 324-5941
    Fax: (501) 324-6029
    Website: www.house.gov/griffin/

    Email: https://griffin.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

     
    District 3
    Steve Womack    		 Washington D.C. Office

    1508 Longworth House Office Bldg.
    Washington DC 20515
    Phone: (202) 225-4301
    Fax: (202) 225-5713

    		Arkansas Office

    423 North 6th Street
    Fort Smith AR 72901
    Phone: (479) 424-1146
    Fax: (479) 424-2737

    3333 Pinnacle hills, Ste. 120
    Rogers AR 72758
    Phone: (479) 464-0446
    Fax: (479) 464-0063

    303 North Main Street, Ste. 102
    Harrison AR 72601
    Phone: (870) 741-6900
    Fax: (870) 741-7741

     
    Website: www.house.gov/womack

    Email: http://womack.house.gov/Contact/

     
    District 4
    Mike Ross    		 Washington D.C. Office

    2436 Rayburn House Office Bldg.
    Washington DC 20515
    Phone: (202) 225-3772
    Fax: (202) 225-1314

     

    		 Arkansas Office

    George Howard Jr. Federal Bldg.
    100 East 8th Avenue, Room 2521
    Pine Bluff AR 71601
    Phone: (870) 536-3376
    Fax: (870) 536-4058

    Hot Springs Federal Bldg.
    100 Reserve Street, Ste. 307
    Hot Springs AR 71901
    Phone: (501) 520-5892
    Fax: (501) 520-5873

    Union County Courthouse, Ste. 406
    101 North Washington Street
    El Dorado AR 71730
    Phone: (870) 881-0681
    Fax: (870) 881-0683

    221 West Main Street
    Prescott AR 71857
    Phone: (870) 887-6787
    Fax: (870) 887-6799

     
    Website: www.house.gov/ross/

    Email: http://ross.house.gov/contact/

     

    Copyright © 2010
    Last Date Modified 02/27/2013