Government Relations and Advocacy Connecticut Children’s believes one of the most effective ways to make our communities better for children, now and in the future, is legislative advocacy. Quite simply, this means supporting laws and policies that are good for children—such as those that help prevent injuries or improve access to health care—and opposing ones that are not. Register for Email Alerts Sign up to become a Connecticut Children’s Champion, where you will receive monthly updates and action alerts. Sign up for our newsletter An Expert Resource on Health Care Issues Affecting Children Connecticut Children’s is often called upon by policy makers to act as an expert resource on health care issues that affect children. Too often, kids do not have a voice in the decisions that affect them and their families. Connecticut Children’s advocacy efforts are aimed at ensuring that children’s concerns are always heard when public policies are made. Policy Priorities Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts continuously campaign for public policy changes that will benefit the health of kids. Learn more about our policy priorities > Find Your Legislators As a Connecticut resident, it is important to remember that your elected officials work for you. If there is an issue that matters to you, you can write, email, or call your state legislator to make sure your voice is heard. Contacting your elected officials really does make a difference! Find your elected officials > 2022 Family Advocacy Week Each year, the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) sponsors a Family Advocacy Day down in Washington, D.C. where children’s hospitals from across the country gather with patient families to meet with members of Congress and advocate on behalf of children’s hospitals and the families they serve. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 Family Advocacy Day was conducted as a weeklong virtual series of meetings and engagement opportunities for patient families and children’s hospitals. Meet our 2022 patient ambassadors: Madeline, Melanie, and Christian! Additionally, Connecticut Children’s offered several virtual opportunities for team members and other stakeholders to learn more about advocacy, how the decisions our government makes affects children’s health, and how to use your voice and get involved. Below, find recordings from each of our sessions. We had some phenomenal speakers, and we hope you check out the recordings linked below! A conversation with FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel Exploring the Importance of Pediatric Research The 2022 Legislative Session and Kids’ Behavioral Health Supporting Children’s Behavioral Health in Schools Interact with Legislators on Social Media Here is a great list of the social media accounts of federal legislators. Make sure to tag Connecticut Children’s on your social media platform if it is relevant. Thanks to our friends at the National Kidney Foundation for putting the list together. Our partner organizations also offer guidance and materials to assist you in your advocacy efforts: Speak Now For Kids American Academy of Pediatrics Center for Children’s Advocacy Connecticut Voices for Children Connecticut Hospital Association Blogs Supporting Advocacy for Children Connecticut Children’s Growing Healthy Blog Advancing Kids Blog Contact the Government Relations Team Have questions about the legislative process, our public policy priorities, or another government relations issue? Reach out to a member of our Government Relations team at governmentrelations@connecticutchildrens.org Aimee Monroy-Smith, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and External Affairs Jane Baird, Senior Director, Government Relations and External Affairs Emily Boushee, Government Relations Manager
