Every day, U.S. health departments engage in public policy efforts in order to improve the public health of local communities.  While it is true that public employees CANNOT lobby for policy change with local, state, or federal policymakers on official time, public employees CAN* educate on public health issues.  Educating policymakers on sexual health issues provides governing bodies the opportunity and information to respond to constituents’ needs.

This document outlines the guidelines that are designed to help public employees understand what policy work they CAN* do with their resources, and safely engage in policymaker education.

*Caution: Make sure you know your department’s specific policies on communicating with local, state and federal policymakers. The following “do’s and don’ts” are derived from federal guidelines, but more specific department policies may be available.   For explicit details on Anti-Lobbying Restrictions for CDC grantees, please visit: http://1.usa.gov/1R1IZzD.