2021 Federal Advocacy Conference
- Advocacy Training: Saturday, June 5, Noon - 5:30 p.m. EDT
- Meetings with Lawmakers: Thursday, June 10, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Your Time Zone)
- Virtual
- Open to APA Members Only
- $50 Registration Fee ($25 for Resident or Fellow Members)
The 2021 Federal Advocacy Conference is a unique opportunity for psychiatrists to lobby members of Congress on issues that affect their practice and patients. All APA members are invited to attend and play a critical role in shaping health care policy during the 117th Congress. Registration closed on May 28, 2021. If you have questions regarding this conference, contact APA's Department of Government Relations at advocacy@psych.org.
The conference will take place on two separate days:
On June 5, attendees will attend a conference to learn APA's legislative agenda and learn everything they need to know to advocate for psychiatry. The experience will include insights from APA's leadership and staff on the inner workings of Congress, and the legislative process as well as a hands-on advocacy training.
On June 10, attendees will join their colleagues to meet virtually with their members of Congress and their staff. Attendees are expected to be fully available this day to attend congressional meetings.
Schedule-of-Events
| Saturday, June 5, 2021 |
| Noon – 5:30 p.m. ET |
Attend an informative half-day conference to learn about APA's legislative agenda for the 117th Congress, familiarize yourself with the issues you'll be discussing with your members of Congress and learn what to expect when you meet virtually with your lawmakers. |
| Thursday, June 10, 2021 |
| 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Meetings will be scheduled in your time zone) |
Spend the day meeting virtually with your members of Congress and advocate for psychiatry and your patients.
APA will schedule your meetings for you and other members from your state and provide you with access to an online portal to access your schedules and meetings.
Meeting times may change at the last moment and missed meetings reflect poorly on APA so please clear your schedule so that you're available to meet with your lawmakers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who will arrange my Capitol Hill meetings?
APA will arrange all meetings for each attendee. You will have access to an online platform that will provide you with your schedule prior to June 10.
Will I need to prepare materials?
No, you do not need to prepare any materials. You will be given access to an online platform where you can access documents to share with your lawmakers, information about whether your Representative and Senators have been supportive in the past and talking points. During the June 5th training, APA leadership and staff will review all of these issues with you and answer your questions.
What will I talk about?
The issues you will discuss will relate to specific APA approved priority issues. APA staff will brief all attendees on the overall messages during the June 5th training. Remember, you are the expert and have the greatest facts about mental illness. The congressional staff and elected officials are interested in hearing from you.
Who will attend the meetings with me?
APA will arrange meetings by congressional district, so your meetings will be with the elected officials who represent you. The meeting could include other attendees who are also in your district or live in a neighboring district. Every attendee from your state will meet with your senators' offices.
With whom will I meet?
Depending on availability, your meeting may include a House member, Senator, and/or their staff. Each is very important. The staff with whom you may meet with has a primary responsibility to work on health care issues. Although you may not necessarily meet with your Representative or Senators, staff members have a good deal of influence within the office, and it is important that they become experts on mental health issues.
What do I wear?
You will not be on screen for the June 5th training; however, it is important to look professional during your virtual meetings with your members of Congress.
How will I know which link to use for my meetings?
APA will provide you with log-in information to an online platform where you'll easily access your schedule and zoom links as well as information on the lawmakers with whom you'll meet and other resources. You'll be able to familiarize yourself with the platform during the June 5th training.
What if I can't answer a question?
If you are in a congressional meeting and are asked a question you cannot or do not feel comfortable answering, simply tell the congressional office that you, or an APA staff member, will get back to them on that issue. This is honest and allows for a follow-up contact with the office.
Questions? Contact APA's Department of Government Relations at advocacy@psych.org.