ADVOCACY

Welcome

 

Thank you for your interest in advocacy! As pediatricians, every day we advocate for patients and families in both small and big ways. Advocacy is fundamental to our practice. CT-AAP is here to support you in your advocacy efforts. Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas.

 

Best,

Molly Markowitz, MD FAAP
Chair, Advocacy Committee CT-AAP
Email: molly.markowitz@yale.edu

Pathways to Advocacy

There are many ways for you to advocate for your patients and families, individually and on local, state and national stages as part of CT-AAP. 

Click a link to view advocacy resources. 

Individual Advocacy

Every day, we as pediatricians advocate on an individual level in order to ensure the health and well-being of patients and families. Below are some links to helpful resources which address health-related social needs to share with families.

Development, Education, & Childcare

Food & Nutrition

Housing & Environment

Legal & Criminal Justice

Mental Health & Safety

Money & Finances

Other

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Community & State Advocacy

There are many ways that pediatricians can advocate in their community and at the state level.

Are you interested in joining the CT-AAP Advocacy Committee? Please reach out: molly.markowitz@yale.edu 

Legislative Advocacy:

  • Pediatricians can be a powerful voice for children and families by participating in the legislative process.
  • The CT General Assembly meets from January to June in odd-numbered years, and from February to May in even-numbered years.
  • As a part of the legislative process, varies committees (examples: Human Services, Children, Judiciary) hold public hearings where the general public can provide:
    1. Written testimony (submitted online)
    2. Oral testimony (both in person or via zoom)
  • CT-AAP periodically sends out Advocacy Alerts via email to our membership highlighting opportunities for pediatricians to testify on bills affecting child health.
  • Have questions? Check out our Tips for Testifying.

Media Advocacy:

  • Pediatricians can use their voice to advocate for children and families by contributing to the media.
  • Here are three different ways:
  1. Op-eds submitted to publications such as the CT Mirror or Hartford Courant can be a impactful way to highlight child health issues and advocate for change. CT-AAP can offer edits and support in drafting an article.
    1. Have questions? Check out our Tips for Op-ed Writing 
  2. Pediatricians may also be asked to participate in a press conference with an elected official or community organization to advocate for a child health issue. CT-AAP can offer support in preparation.
  3. Social media and in particular twitter can be an important avenue for advocacy. There is a community of pediatricians on twitter who identify as #tweetatricians. The AAP has put together toolkits for social media advocacy.

Do you have questions or would like support? Please reach out: molly.markowitz@yale.edu

National Advocacy

The AAP has multiple opportunities to participation in advocacy:

  1. Advocacy Training Modules
  2. AAP DC Office Internship Program
  3. AAP Advocacy Website
  4. Sign up for advocacy alerts through the AAP