Advocacy
About Us
CPHA is committed to protecting and promoting public health efforts and investments. The CPHA Advocacy Committee educates CPHA members, policymakers, and the general public, on the science-based and best-practices evidence which supports sound public health policy. We train public health students and workers on how to be successful advocates, and hold a legislative breakfast every year at the State House. We would like to submit testimony to the legislature on as many public health issues as we can, and need your help to write testimony and fact sheets on public health issues. We also encourage you to call or write to your legislators to educate them about public health issues that matter to you.
Association Activities
The Connecticut Public Health Association (CPHA) Advocacy Committee advocates its public health initiatives by educating CPHA members, public constituencies, and policymakers. Advocacy activities include:
-
Monitoring the status of pending legislation significant to the Advocacy Committee’s public health priorities;
-
Preparing fact sheets (position papers) and legislative updates;
-
Presenting written testimony on behalf of the CPHA before the Connecticut General Assembly regarding proposed legislation;
-
Organizing lobbying efforts and grassroots advocacy through outreach with our Capwiz software, through legislative education programs, and through telephone and letter-writing campaigns;
-
Organizing and collaborating with CPHA members to support the Advocacy Committee’s public health initiatives;
-
Maintaining relationships with leadership of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Health Committee and other relevant Committees, the Executive Branch of the State of Connecticut and the Connecticut Department of Public Health;
-
Collaborating with other organizations to ensure that public health is a priority in the legislative and policymaking process.
How to Get Involved
1) GET TO KNOW YOUR LEGISLATORS. Follow your legislators on social media, save their numbers in your phones, bookmark their online contact info--however you want to get in touch, they NEED to hear from you!
Already know? Find their contact info below:
Senator Richard Blumenthal (202) 224-2823
-
Online: www.blumenthal.senate.gov/contact Twitter @SenBlumenthal
Senator Chris Murphy (202) 224-4041
-
Online: www.murphy.senate.gov/contact Twitter @ChrisMurphyCT
Rep. John Larson (1st District) (202) 225-2265
-
Online: larson.house.gov/contact Twitter @RepJohnLarson
Rep. Joe Courtney (2nd District) (202) 225-2076
-
Online: courtney.house.gov/contact Twitter @RepJoeCourtney
Rep. Rose DeLauro (3rd District) (202) 225-3661
-
Online: delauro.house.gov/contact Twitter @rosadelauro
Rep. Jim Himes (4th District) (202) 225-5541
-
Online: himes.house.gov/contact Twitter @jahimes
Rep. Elizabeth Esty (5th District) (202) 225-4476
-
Online: esty.house.gov/contact Twitter @RepEsty
2) ACT ON STATE LEGISLATION. Once the 2019 legislative session begins, we will provide a list on this website of the bills we are tracking, with updates and calls to action on specific ones we are watching. If there are bills you are watching that you feel should be brought to the attention of the CPHA Board, please let us know. The Public Health Committee page can be a helpful resource to identify bills of interest, but keep in mind there may be bills in other Committees as well.
3) ACT ON FEDERAL LEGISLATION. We will also provide updates on federal legislation and calls to action.
4) ATTEND EVENTS. We will share information about educational sessions, community conversations, and rallies related to public health legislation or various public health issues. We encourage you to share opportunities with us.
5) FOLLOW CPHA ON FACEBOOK. In addition to email alerts, we will be sharing opportunities to get involved through Facebook. Follow us here!
Thinking about getting involved in CPHA's public health advocacy?
The CPHA Advocacy Committee is seeking new members who are interested in participating in upcoming legislative advocacy projects. Email the chair for more information: Tiffany Morrissey.
