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Testimony Toolkit: Advocating for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Welcome to the Infant Mental Health Association of Maryland and DC (IMHA-MD/DC) Testimony Toolkit. Your voice is the most powerful tool we have to shape policies that support babies, toddlers, young children, and their families.
Whether you are a seasoned advocate or submitting testimony for the very first time, this guide provides everything you need to navigate the legislative processes in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
Step-by-Step Guide: Submitting Written Testimony
Maryland and Washington, D.C. use entirely different online portals and timeline rules.
Use the guides below to ensure your written testimony is received and logged correctly.
The Maryland General Assembly (MGA) Process
The Maryland legislative session runs from January to April. Timelines are strict, often requiring sign-up days in advance.
Step 1: Create an MGA Account. Go to the Maryland General Assembly website and create a "My MGA" account. You cannot submit testimony without one.
Step 2: Monitor Committee Calendars. Find out which committee is hearing the bill (e.g., House Health and Government Operations or Senate Finance). Note their specific testimony day and time limits.
Step 3: Upload in the Window. Maryland uses a strict sign-up window (usually 1 or 2 business days before the hearing, between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM). Log into "My MGA," select "Witness Signup," upload your PDF, and indicate whether you are testifying in-person, virtually, or written-only.
The Council of the District of Columbia Process
The D.C. Council operates year-round on a two-year legislative cycle. Their system is generally more flexible but requires close attention to the specific committee's instructions.
Step 1: Use the Legislative Information Management System (LIMS). Visit the D.C. Council Website to find the Council’s central Hearing Management System.
Step 2: Check the Committee Hearing Notice. Each D.C. Council committee (e.g., Committee on Health, Committee on Human Services) publishes a specific hearing notice. This notice dictates the email address or portal link for submission.
Step 3: Submit Within the Window. Unlike MD, D.C. committees usually accept written testimony up to 10 to 14 business days after the live hearing concludes. Submit your PDF via the portal or the designated committee email (e.g., humanservices@dccouncil.gov), always including the Bill Number and Title in the subject line.
Tips for Oral Testimony: MD vs. DC
If you choose to speak live, your time will be brief. Here is how to navigate the specific nuances of both regions.
Maryland General Assembly (Annapolis)
Time Limits: Typically 2 minutes per witness, though committee chairs can reduce this to 1 minute if a bill has hundreds of witnesses.
The Nuance: Panels are highly structured. You will often be grouped into "favorable" or "unfavorable" panels. Be prepared to sit through hours of other bills before yours is called.
Virtual vs. In-Person: MD heavily relies on a lottery or first-come, first-served system for virtual slots during peak session. If testifying in person, give yourself an hour to park and clear security at the Lowe or James buildings.
Council of the District of Columbia (The Wilson Building)
Time Limits: Typically 3 minutes for public witnesses representing themselves or an organization, and 5 minutes for government officials.
The Nuance: D.C. Council hearings are conversational. Councilmembers frequently engage in back-and-forth Q&A with public panels. Be prepared to stay on camera or at the table after you speak to answer questions about clinical practice or community impact.
Accessibility: D.C. actively encourages virtual testimony (via Zoom/WebEx). Ensure your display name matches the name you used to register.
Do’s and Don’ts: Advocacy for Nonprofits
Many IMHA-MD/DC members work for community mental health centers, universities, hospital systems, or nonprofits that receive public grants (state, district, or federal). It is a common myth that you cannot advocate if you receive public funds. You can! You just have to follow these clear boundaries:
Do's
DO testify as a private citizen on your own time (using personal email and personal computer) if your employer restricts legislative advocacy.
DO provide educational data, clinical expertise, and "facts on the ground" regarding how a policy impacts infant mental health.
DO check your organization's internal policy. Many large nonprofits allow "lobbying" up to a certain financial threshold (under IRS 501(c)(3) rules), but require internal approval first.
Don'ts
DON'T use federal, state, or D.C. grant funds to pay for lobbying activities (e.g., do not write testimony during hours billed directly to a government grant).
DON'T engage in electioneering. Nonprofits can advocate for issues and bills, but can never endorse, oppose, or fund political candidates.
DON'T use your organization's official letterhead unless you have explicit written authorization from your leadership or board to represent the agency's stance.
If your organization cannot officially take a stance, you can still submit testimony using your name, credentials (e.g., LCSW-C, IECMH-E),
and the phrase: "Affiliation listed for identification purposes only; opinions expressed are my own."
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