POLICY

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

The federal and state laws that govern delivery of services to children with disabilities are always subject to change. Vital services can be threatened by budget decisions, particularly during times when there are budget shortfalls.

There are many ways to become involved in the process.

• Join a listserv or visit any of the websites listed below to keep current on legislative affairs. Many of the sites provide an opportunity to subscribe to e-mail alerts.
• Write letters to your state and federal representatives and let them know how you feel. Call them or visit them in their home offices. Who are your representatives? Visit Congress.org to find out.
• Write to the editors of your local newspapers. It's an opportunity to inform and educate others on the issues.
• Do you want to get even more involved? Join an advocacy group, attend rallies, spread the word.

Listservs and E-mail alert lists

Arc of California

The Arc of California produces a Monday Morning memo, with information and updates on legislative and public policy issues. You can sign up to receive the memo by email by visiting their Monday Morning web page.

CDCA Advocacy Network Alerts

CA Disability Community Action (CDCA) Advocacy Network Alerts are a good way to keep up on California budget and legislative issues that affect individuals with developmental disabilities. You can subscribe and receive these alerts via email, by sending a message to: martyomoto@rcip.com asking to be included on the distribution list

Family Voices listserv

Family Voices of California's listserv focuses on news and information relating to children with special health care needs in the state of California. -- You can join the listserv for Family Voices of California by sending an email to: FVCAFamAdv-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You do not need to fill in anything on the Subject line or in the body of the message. Just send the email and you will be put on the list.

Health Access California E-mail List

To keep current on issues affecting health care in California, you can sign up to receive updates from the Health Access California E-mail List.

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (LPCH) Grassroots Advocacy Network Action Center

The LPCH Grassroots Advocacy Network Center focuses on issues that affect children's health and well-being at the local, state and federal levels. You can sign up to receive their alerts by email.

There are also many websites in our Resources page that can keep you up to date on legislative and public policy issues.

The resources on these pages are for your information. These listings are not necessarily comprehensive, nor are they an endorsement. If you find that any information is incorrect, if you would like to offer feedback or if you know of additional resources that may be helpful to include, please contact us.

Last updated June 28, 2007