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The following are just a few of the key bills of interest to AAP-CA (our California AAP District advocacy group). Visit the AAP-CA website’s Advocacy page at https://aap-ca.org/legislative-bills/ to see the entire list of AAP-CA tracked bills that made it to the Governor’s desk where you can read the outcome of each bill and an in-depth analysis. AAPCA1 has recently supported several significant advocacy efforts. Here’s what we signed on to:
Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act,This bill would expand by $10 million annually the Court Improvement Program, which is the only direct child welfare-related federal funding that state and tribal courts receive to manage nearly 600,000 children’s cases in court each year. The bill would also expand by $10 million annually the Regional Partnership Grants, which address the intersection of parental substance use and child welfare involvement. The bill also allocates more IV-B funding for tribes, reduces barriers to tribal participation in IV-B, and supports oversight of implementation of the Indian
Child Welfare Act.
If you are interested in knowing more about certain legislation, reach out to our State Government Affairs Chapter Representative Nora Pfaff, MD, FAAP and Anna Kaplan, MD, FAAP, at info@aapca1.org.
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Chapter Chat: Climate Change and Child Health Committee Meeting
We would like to invite you to join our next (virtual) Climate Change and Child Health Committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 22. from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.
In this meeting, in which we will gather as a larger committee, we will outline our goals for 2025, review the projects we have underway, and share opportunities for you -- our committee members -- to get involved. We'd love to hear your feedback and ideas, and we hope you'll join us!
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 22
Time: 12:00-1:00pm PDT
Location: via Zoom
Register Here
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Chapter Chat: The Current Landscape for Children's Health in 2025
We would like to invite you to join our next (virtual) Chapter Chat on the Current Landscape for Children's Health on Tuesday, Feb. 18. from 7:00-8:00pm.
Join us for an insightful presentation on the evolving landscape of children's health in 2025. Mike Odeh, Senior Director of Health at Children Now, will share expert perspectives on emerging challenges, and opportunities that will shape children's health policy and outcomes in the coming years.
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 18
Time: 7:00-8:00pm PDT
Location: via Zoom
Register Here
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Recap on the 9th Annual Pediatric Puzzles Conference!
This past Saturday, the 9th Annual Pediatric Puzzles CME Conference at the Oakland Museum brought together pediatric professionals for a day of learning and connection. Attendees explored topics like pulmonology, allergy, immigrant health, and more through lectures and Q&As led by expert speakers. The event also featured a networking lunch and same-day museum admission for participants and their families, blending education with community and fun!
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AAP Disaster Preparedness Ambassador Video by Dr. Morgan Leighton!
We would like to invite you to watch this video where we share an important project focused on disaster preparedness for Spanish-speaking immigrant families with children, particularly in the context of climate-related disasters. In this video, we discuss our ongoing needs assessment to understand the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population. We’re collaborating with healthcare coalitions, community organizations, and climate justice groups to develop a culturally and linguistically informed curriculum that can support disaster resilience in immigrant communities. We hope you join us in this effort to build a sustainable and scalable solution.
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Morgan Leighton, MD, MPH, FAAP
Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, AAPCA1
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Chapter Leadership Positions | |
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Seeking Volunteer Monterey Bay Area Director Applications!
As an Area Director, you'll be part of a dynamic team representing one of our 11 diverse geographic areas. You'll become a voting member of our chapter board and engage with local pediatric providers to advocate for children's health through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Volunteer alongside a supportive leadership team dedicated to shaping the future of pediatric care.
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Seeking Volunteer CATCH Facilitator Applications!
The AAP Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Program is seeking applicants for the volunteer position of Chapter CATCH Facilitator (CCF). CCFs are appointed by their state Chapter to serve a renewable three-year term. CATCH’s mission is to support pediatricians to collaborate within their communities to advance the health of all children. Our vision is that every child in every community reach optimal health and well-being.
To apply send CV to info@aapca1.org.
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Apply for the Care & Connect Microgrant for Up to $2,000!
AAPCA1 is excited to offer its members the opportunity to apply for a chapter microgrant. The Care & Connect Microgrant Project, offers microgrants valued at up to $2,000 (no amount is too small) which can be utilized in one of two impactful ways. The first option supports innovative community-based child health initiatives. The second option is to host member gatherings and meetings within your local area.
Along with the grant, you will have the full support of our AAPCA1 staff to carry out your grant goals. We encourage all members to take advantage of this chance to either drive community health improvements or enhance pediatric connections!
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Empowering Tomorrow: Transforming Pediatric Care for Equitable Futures
Join this half-day virtual symposium to learn tools and strategies for clinical practice to improve healthcare disparities. Hear from practicing clinicians in busy pediatric clinics with diverse patients sharing best practices and recommendations for addressing health inequities. Attendees may receive 3.5 hours of CME.
REGISTRATION: Register by email to HHS-LEADERSHIPPOWER@hhs.sccgov.org.
Please include your name, degree, position/institutional affiliation and contact information. Registration confirmation will include log in information to attend the conference.
Cost: Free!
Location: Virtual
Date: Friday, Mar. 21
Time: 8:30 - 12:30pm PST
If you would like to support Pedi POWER (Pediatricians Organizing and Working to End Racism) and its efforts to promote equity, please consider making a voluntary contribution through the Valley Health Foundation.
Our EDI champion Dr. Amna Khan is leading one of the lectures and co-leads this health equity working group, Pedi POWER!
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In Search of a New California Chapter 1 AAP PROS Chapter Coordinator!
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) founded a national pediatric primary care practice-based research network, Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS). The work of PROS is inherently tied to real-world experiences through the involvement of PROS Coordinators. PROS seeks for each AAP Chapter to have a PROS Chapter Coordinator. PROS Coordinators are critical to the continued relevance and success of PROS as they:
- Provide input on priority areas for research.
- Review proposed PROS study protocols—assessing them for “do-ability” in busy, community-based practices.
- Offer support with PROS study recruitment.
- Attend one annual expense-paid in-person meeting at AAP Headquarters (outside of Chicago) (next PROS Coordinators meeting: March 8-9, 2025). - travel expenses paid to provide their feedback on proposed studies during that meeting!
If you are a primary care pediatrician in California Chapter 1 who sees patients in private practice (not in a hospital clinic) who is interested in sharing your observations from daily clinical practice and offering your perspectives on the feasibility of proposed PROS studies, contact Everly Macario, ScD, Director of Primary Care Research, AAP, emacario@aap.org.
While not a requirement to being a PROS Coordinator, we are especially eager to have representation of early career pediatricians and from practices in rural areas of California Chapter 1. To be a PROS Coordinator, you do not need any prior research experience.
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In partnership with the State of California, Brightline created BrightLife Kids to bring behavioral health coaching to every family with kids ages 0–12. California pays 100%, which means there's no cost to the families — or to you.
BrightLife Kids provides free, expert behavioral health support for California families with children ages 0-12. This includes:
- Personalized coaching via video sessions and secure chat and
- On-demand articles and videos
- Coach specialists that connect families who have additional needs to the right resources in their community
Together, we are working to ensure all California families can find the behavioral health support they need, when they need it. If your patients have a California zip code and a child ages 0–12, they qualify.
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RSV Signs in Children
Almost all children get infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at least once before they are 2 years old. For most healthy children, RSV is like a cold. But some children get very sick with RSV...
Signs of RSV in babies - 1 minute video
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Bird Flu Infection in California
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) (H5N1 bird flu) in a child in California. This is the first reported avian influenza H5 virus infection in a child in the United States...
Recommended by CDC
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2025 Immunization schedules
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the 2025 immunization schedules. The most significant updates are related to COVID-19, meningococcal B and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines...
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Your membership makes a difference for children in California, thank you!
The AAPCA1's ability to advocate on behalf of children is only as strong as the support we receive from our members. Encourage your colleagues to join today by visiting the AAPCA1 website.
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Our mission is to promote the optimal health and development of children and
adolescents of Northern California in partnership with their families and communities, and to support the pediatricians who care for them.
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Executive Committee:
President: Nicole Webb • Vice President: Neel Patel
• Secretary: Resham Kaur • Treasurer: Amita Saxena • Past President: Nelson Branco
Executive Director: Yolanda Ruiz
Area Directors:
North Valley : Aishwarya Taneja • Sacramento Valley: Lena van der List • Central Valley : Deborah Shassetz • South Valley: Sireesha Palkamsetti • San Francisco: VACANT • Santa Clara: Bindya Singh • San Mateo: Jonathon Everett • North Coastal: Jeffrey Ribordy • Monterey Bay: VACANT • Alameda County: Renee Wachtel • Contra Costa/Solano : Jennifer Anne Miller
Pediatric Insider News Editors:
Christy Capestany • Deborah Shassetz • Tim Sullivan • Nicole Anderson
Staff:
Executive Director: Yolanda Ruiz • Project Coordinator: Sana Sayyid •
Marketing Assistant: Arathzy Portillo
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