For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Justin Burke - 213.201.1525EMAIL:jburke@apla.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 1, 2000
VANESSA BAIRD, DIRECTOR OF CALIFORNIA'S OFFICE OF AIDS; CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER GIL CEDILLO; PHILL WILSON, DIRECTOR OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN AIDS POLICY AND TRAINING INSTITUTE; AND DANIEL ZINGALE, DIRECTOR OF CALIFORNIA'S DEPARTMENT OF MANAGED HEALTH CARE SCHEDULED TO SPEAK
Los Angeles -- -- On Saturday, September 9, 2000, the California HIV Advocacy Coalition / Southern California Region (CHAC/SoCal) will present a Legislative Training Session and Grassroots Advocacy Workshop. The day-long seminar is designed to help advocates, activists and others interested in HIV/AIDS issues learn how to interact effectively with government in the policy-making process.
Featured speakers for the event include: Vanessa Baird, Director of California's Office Of AIDS; California State Assemblymember Gil Cedillo; Phill Wilson, Director of the African American AIDS Policy and Training Institute; and Daniel Zingale, Director of California's Department of Managed Health Care.
The free workshop will be held from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, at Faith United Methodist Church, 1713 West 108th Street in South Central Los Angeles. Attendees will receive informational handouts and brown bag lunches. Bottled water will be available throughout the day. For information on registration, call (in Los Angeles) John Riley at (213) 380-1582 x25; (in Long Beach) Albert Whipps at (562) 494-3550; (in Orange County) Tom Peterson at (949) 809-8764.
Participants will learn about the legislative process, as well as key policy issues relating to HIV and AIDS. Sessions will cover how a bill becomes a law, how to advocate before elected officials and other policymakers, and a variety of other skills vital to building coalitions and collective strategies, developing action networks and communicating for positive change at all levels of government. Many attendees will put these skills to work during AIDSWatch in Washington, DC, AIDS Lobby Day in Sacramento, and in ongoing meetings with elected officials in their district offices.
The California HIV Advocacy Coalition (CHAC) is a grassroots alliance of regions, organizations, families, and individuals that are concerned with HIV/AIDS issues and advocate for appropriate funding for HIV/AIDS programs within the state of California, access to quality health care/treatment, and rational legislation and public policies that promote the health, welfare and civil rights of all Californians affected by HIV/AIDS.
