Community Advocacy

Since 2001, Children's Hospital Los Angeles residents have impacted the health of children in Los Angeles through Helping HANDS (Health Advocacy Network of Doctors) for Children Advocacy Program. Helping HANDS, developed and launched by residents, offers young physicians the opportunity to learn the most effective methods for advocacy by exposing them to advocacy opportunities at the individual, community and legislative levels.

Children's Hospital Los Angeles also is a joint partner with the American Academy of Pediatrics in the Los Angeles Healthcare Provider Alliance for Children (LA-HPAC) to help advance efforts to achieve universal, comprehensive, continuous and affordable care. Our LA-HPAC members participate in media training, community advocacy, legislative visits and rallies. See the LA-HPAC flier for more information.

LA-HPAC has hosted more than 10 legislative advocacy trainings throughout the Los Angeles County area. To join LA-HPAC or to request training at your hospital, contact Kelly Clancy at 323-361-5742 or kclancy@chla.usc.edu.

Two Tracks for Residents

Throughout the year, the Advocacy program also offers noon conferences on topics such as healthcare finance, health insurance, child health legislation, international health, environmental health, health disparities, media skills, and legislative advocacy skills.

Residents also have the the ability to benefit from the following opportunities:

• Community Advocacy
• IMPACT (Project Development) Track 

Sample PL-1 Curriculum

In addition, residents will have the ability to benefit from legislative advocacy activities throughout the year and elective opportunities.

Community Advocacy Program Physicians
Susan Wu, MD	Mona Patel, MD

Legislative Advocacy

All residents complete the Legislative Advocacy modules together in the spring.  Interns will work in groups to learn about the principles of participating in the legislative process, including researching legislation, and writing a persuasive letter to the editor or elected official.  The groups will each make a visit to legislators at their district offices. Finally, there may be opportunities to travel to the state capitol to visit elected officials and attend committee hearings.

This platform will encourage you to:

• Become familiar with the local, state, and federal legislative processes.
• Learn how to effectively communicate with elected officials.
• Advocate for children on a policy level.
• Advocate for children via direct community engagement.
   

Elective Opportunities

There are many advocacy electives available for housestaff. Residents can choose the:

• Community Pediatrics
  In this elective, seniors choose to spend more time at various private practices and other community sites. They can also arrange to spend a month working on legislative projects in either Sacramento or Washington DC.
• Parent and Family Education
  Those who are interested in education can spend an elective working on developing patient and family education tools for the hospital, clinic, or community agencies.  This program contributes to the activities of our Parent University.
• Child Abuse and Neglect
  Residents with an interest in child abuse and neglect can spend two weeks working with the Audrey Hepburn CARES team, participating in various activities including dependency court, a domestic violence support group, LAPD Abused Child Unit, and the District Attorney’s office.
    

Community Partners

Children's Hospital Los Angeles is uniquely situated near community clinics and agencies that are experts at community advocacy for health care. Many of these community clinics and agencies generously partner with us to enable you to obtain the skills needed to impact the community.

Current Residents
Lukas Austin-Page, MD	Dania Molla Hosseini, MD	Jackie Quach, MD	Alicia Sheen, MD