Visit our Active Issues page to learn about the WCAAP’s current legislative priorities. We provide an overview of our full legislative agenda, and background sheets are available for each issue.

Recent accomplishments:

• Participation in the Children’s Mental Health Work Group to make recommendations to the legislature
• Ensured payment for developmental and autism screens for children on Medicaid
• Helped create the Washington Vaccine Association
• Pushed for the ban of bisphenol A (BPA) in bottles
• Ensured continuation of the home visiting program
• Established collaborative Community-Based Children’s Wellness Initiative

The WCAAP employs a lobbyist in Olympia to advocate for a child-friendly legislative agenda in our state, and Chapter members frequently testify in Olympia and meet with legislators. We also hold an annual advocacy day to familiarize members with legislators, current legislative priorities and ways to influence the legislative process.

WCAAP members are actively advocating for children outside of Olympia to:

• Promote early literacy through Reach Out and Read
• Ensure safety and health in the early childcare setting
• Provide mental health resources to physicians in remote areas of the state
• Meet with insurance companies so that the needs of children are considered when policies are created
• Support medical students interested in pediatrics and residents training to be the next generation of pediatricians.

AAP has active federal and state advocacy offices which are open to WCAAP members. The staff can help with an editorial or letter to the editor, and provide issue briefs for your own education and for sharing with legislators. There are also national conferences to hone advocacy skills.

AAP Advocacy Training Modules

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