The Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WCAAP) is a 501(c)3 organization with a long history of advocating for Washington’s children, adolescents, families, and all who care for them. We promote health and wellness for all and advance equitable, evidence-based, collaborative approaches to pediatric care. We champion health and well-being  through advocacy, education, and partnership.

The goal of WCAAP is to optimize the health of children and teens and address families’ social needs, while supporting providers in their development and practice. Through our legislative advocacy, education, and clinic-facing initiatives, our current strategic priorities are centered on improved health and development for children ages birth to five; mental healthcare access for school-age kids; access to preventive care, including immunizations; and increasing equitable healthcare for children across WA state. WCAAP works as a convener and has created broad-based alliances throughout the state that include parents, maternal and early childhood stakeholders, medical and mental health providers, school districts, nurses, and state agencies (Medicaid, public health, K-12schools,andchild welfare).

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One of WCAAP's most engaged statewide committees is our Legislative Committee, which meets monthly outside of the Washington State legislative session, and weekly during session (roughly January through April, depending on if it is a long budget session (odd years) or shorter session (even years)). The committee is made up of staff, a part-time lobbyist, and pediatric healthcare providers from across the state. The Chapter and Legislative Committee also works with a diverse range of partners from across the state, including community-based organizations, clinics, hospital systems, school districts, and more, to help inform our legislative priorities and ensure representative voices are included in our efforts.

Our key activities prior to the legislative session will include developing educational materials and equipping our members and partners with the information, training, and skills needed to provide effective testimony on our top priorities, including creating sample testimony materials, provide training, support, and mentorship to residents and other members on how to
advocate, educate, and help state legislators understand the issues. Additional opportunities will include supporting members in authoring earned-media opportunities (ie, op-eds), contacting legislators via WCAAP's advocacy platform, VoterVoice, and preparing for the Chapter's annual Advocacy Day.

The Legislative Committee also leads on the preparation and implementation of WCAAP's annual Advocacy Day, a popular day-long opportunity for members to gather in Olympia to learn more about our top priorities, meet with other members and community partners, and participate in legislative advocacy with their Senators and Representatives. In 2024, over 100 members and partners from across the state participated in WCAAP's Advocacy Day.

Preparing for Advocacy Day will include opportunities to draft policy briefs, coordinate speakers and presentations from partners, statewide coalitions, and legislators, and assist members in preparing for meetings with their legislators. Following the
legislative session, there exist opportunities to debrief the results of the session, reconvene with coalition and community partners to monitor any policy implementation going forward, and inform members and partners the outcomes of the session.

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Please send an email to WCAAP Executive Director, Sarah Rafton, at srafton@wcaap.org, and include a one-page cover letter detailing your interest in this field placement.