Advocacy
2023 Pediatric Advocay Day
January 19th, 2023
Richmond, VA
Pediatric White Coat Day, or Advocacy Day, is one of the most important events we hold every year. Attendees discuss the upcoming legislative slate, particularly those bills that affect kids and pediatrics. Together we work to reach out to our legislators to advocate for what is in the best interest of children.
We will be awarding this year's Child Advocacy Award as well hearing from guest legislators on the issues that matter to pediatricians. All VA-AAP members are invited and encouraged to attend!
Can't attend this year's session? But still want to help? Donate to the KidsMD Political Action Committee (KidsMD PAC) to help us build relationships with legislators and affect change. Even trainees have donated! As little as $5 makes a difference.
Virginia State Legislature
The Virginia state legislature meets in the winter every year to work on hundreds of bills proposed affecting minors & families.
Thank you to the pediatricians who come out to speak up for children and thank you to the representatives for listening.
VotersVoice
Dear Members,
You are now officially a pediatrician advocate for child health! We wanted to let you know that the VA AAP recently purchased an online grassroots advocacy system called VoterVoice (https://info.votervoice.net). This new system will allow us to:
- communicate with our membership more efficiently
- enable members to take actions on advocacy items with just a simple click
- contact legislators with pre-filled messages quickly and easily.
Many other organizations, including the Medical Society of Virginia, use this same system- so you may already be familiar with it. This will be a tremendous asset to us during the General Assembly session.
All VA AAP members are automatically signed up, so you don’t have to do anything else to receive important child advocacy information. If you do not want to know what is happening in Virginia regarding pediatricians and children’s health policy, there will always be a link at the bottom of every message that allows you to unsubscribe. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Schmitt at Lauren@commonwealthstraegy.net We are excited to use this new tool for our advocacy efforts!
THE CHILD ADVOCACY TOOLKIT
About the Toolkit
Welcome to the Child Advocacy Toolkit. Here you’ll find quick references for use throughout residency training and beyond. The toolkit is under development, so check back often! Individual patient advocacy is such an important part of clinical care that all pediatricians must be skilled and comfortable on the individual level. But beyond this, we must also develop the skills necessary to advocate for children and their families on a much broader level − within the community, state, and nation. As a pediatrician, you are an expert in child health and what is best for children. Our discipline has a long tradition of working to improve the health and well-being of all children. As Abraham Jacobi said: “The pediatrician is to sit in and control school boards, health departments, and legislatures. He is the legitimate adviser to the judge and the jury, and a seat for the physician in the councils of the republic is what the people have a right to demand.” The resources here, and the advocacy activities available to you throughout your training, offer the tools, skills and experiences necessary to establish your own individual advocacy foundation. Use these opportunities to the advantage of our children and their health!
Toolkit Contents General Why Advocacy? (powerpoint) Levels of Advocacy
History of Community Pediatrics and Advocacy Abraham Jacobi, MD: The Man and His Legacy, Burke EC. – Website
The Origin and Significance of the Academy’s Della Robbia Insignia, Beaven PW. – Website
Social Determinants of Child Health Influence of Multiple Social Risks on Children’s Health Larson K, Russ SA, Crall JJ, et al. – Website
Revisiting the Social History for Child Health Kenyon C, Sandel M, Silverstein M, et al. – Website
Improving the Management of Family Psychosocial Problems at Low-Income Children’s Well-Child Care Visits: The WE CARE Project Garg A, Butz AM, Dworkin PH, et al. Website
Legislative Advocacy “Meeting With Your Legislator” Video (6:44)
Tips for a Successful Legislative Visit Legislative Resources AAP State Government Affairs – Website
AAP Office of Federal Affairs – Website
Community Advocacy Projects CATCH Grants – Website
Community Based Resident Projects Toolkit – PDF
Medical Home The Medical Home: Health Care Access and Impact for Children and Youth in the United States, Strickland BB, Jones JR, Ghandour RM, Kogan MD, Newacheck PW. Pediatrics 2011;237:605-611 Website
The Medical Home Policy Statement, Pediatrics 2008;122:450 – Website
Care Coordination in the Medical Home: Integrating Health and Related Systems of Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Council on Children with Disablities, Pediatrics 2005;116:1238-1244 – Website
Medical-Legal Partnerships for Children Why Pediatricians Need Lawyers to Keep Children Healthy Zuckerman B, Sandel M, Smith L, et al. – Website