Abe Saffer

About Abe Saffer

For nearly a decade, I have led federal and state advocacy strategy on special education…

Experience

1. Senior Legislative Representative

   Aota

   Sep 2016 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Lead policy and strategy development on issues portfolio, which includes: K-12 general and special education, early intervention, higher education, Medicaid, workforce, diversity, appropriations, mental health, child and family welfare, and disability.• Serve as co-chair the National Alliance of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (NASISP) and on the executive board of the Title IVA Coalition.• Organize coalitions as needed to advocate for issues, including joint letters, meetings, and coordinated advocacy efforts.• Deliver presentations on issues in my portfolio at national conferences, academia, and other venues.• Communicate with association members and stakeholders via articles, blog posts, email newsletters, and direct contact.• Serve as a mentor for the AOTA occupational therapy doctoral capstone program. • Subject matter expert on the Individuals with Disability Education Act, Higher Education Act, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and Medicaid in schools. • Key legislative accomplishments- Drafted and secured passage of legislation to create the Allied Health Workforce Diversity program- Successfully led the advocacy campaign to secure an additional $3 billion for the IDEA in the American Rescue Plan- Increased Congressional appropriations for, and successfully added occupational therapy to multiple federal health workforce programs- Helped secure first ever school mental health workforce grants from the Department of Education for occupation therapy totaling $9.1 million.

Education

• Arizona State University

  Bachelor’s Degree, Political Science - Concentration in Public Policy, Advocacy and Lobbying

  2005

• The George Washington University

  Master’s Degree, Political Management

  2012

Skills

• Policy Analysis
• Speech Writing
• Politics
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Issue Advocacy
• Wordpress
• Social Media
• Html
• Political Campaigns
• Government Affairs
• Research
• Coalitions
• Legislation
• Non-Profits
• Legislative Advocacy
• Coalition Building
• Volunteer Management
• Policy
• Grassroots Advocacy
• Marketing Communications
• Facebook
• Community Outreach
• Legislative Relations
• Communications Strategy
• Political Communication
• Crisis Communications
• Social Media Marketing
• Government Relations
• Public Speaking
• Lobbying
• Volunteer Recruiting
• Public Policy
• Volunteer Training
• Issues Management
• Public Relations
• Government Liaison
• Grassroots Organizing
• Media Relations
• Political Science