We advocate on behalf of children and families to create systems change in children’s mental health services at the local and statewide levels.
We educate others to do the same.
What We Do
We are committed to play a leadership role in key statewide initiatives, such as the development of a California Performance and Outcomes System for children’s mental health services so that the effectiveness of service can be analyzed and steps can be taken to assure improvement where needed.
We also track legislative proposals and policies in children’s behavioral health care and child welfare and work with elected officials to help shape the way public policy is created and implemented.
From this work, we have deepened our appreciation for grassroots advocacy and understand its importance in accomplishing successful legislative action. Throughout the year, we’ll encourage our friends, supporters and colleagues to participate in the legislative process through letter writing campaigns. Many legislators argue that one clear, logical individual letter is worth more than a many-page petition with a thousand signatures!
Below you’ll find links and information we hope you will find useful.
Contact your Senator or Representative
You can make a difference in the life of a child in need by contacting your members of Congress.
How to Contact Your Senator
| Honorable Kamala Harris U.S. State Senator 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-3553 To email Senator Kamala Harris, follow this link: https://www.harris.senate.gov/content/contact-senator |
| Honorable Dianne Feinstein U.S. State Senator 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-3841To email Senator Dianne Feinstein, follow this link: https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me |
How to Contact Your Representative
- Follow this link to identify your representative: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
- Type in your zip code and click “Find Your Rep by Zip”
- Click on your representative’s name.
- When on your representative’s website, click “Contact” in the top navigation.
Advocacy Resources
Health Care Reform and Mental Health
Family Resources
Children’s Mental Health Fact Sheet
Organizational Resources
National Council for Behavioral Health
Autistic Self Advocacy Network – The Affordable Care Act and the I/DD Community
California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies CCCMHA
California Alliance of Children and Family Services
Children’s Welfare League of America
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
United Advocates for Children and Families
Children’s Mental Health Network
For More Information
If you have additional comments or questions, please contact Eva Terrazas, Sr. Director of Policy and Advocacy, or call her at (408) 628-5596.
