Connecticut Children’s is once again looking forward to participating in the Children’s Hospital Association’s Family Advocacy Day Down in Washington DC with one of our stellar patient families, Ellie and her parents Evan and Kate! This year’s theme is “Be Fearless for Kids” and children’s hospitals from across the country will be meeting with members of Congress to encourage them to “Be Fearless for Kids” and boldly support the health systems, pediatric professionals, and community investments which help them thrive.
Beyond our advocacy on Capitol Hill, Connecticut Children’s is excited to expand upon Family Advocacy Day by engaging local advocates and stakeholders in virtual conversations around this same theme—“Be Fearless of Kids.” Join us for an exploration of how local, state, and federal leaders can advance bold and fearless policies in support of children and their families.
These conversations are free and open to all but registration is required.
Advocating for Bold Federal Support to Train Tomorrow's Pediatricians
Wednesday, June 21, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Children are not just little adults. Their growing bodies and developing minds come with a unique set of healthcare needs and a robust pediatric workforce is essential to ensuring that children have access to experts who are specifically trained to care for them. The Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education (CHGME) Program is the only federal program devoted to the training of pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. Despite the critical importance of this program, there exists a significant funding gap between CHGME and adult Medicare GME. This year, advocates from across the country will be pushing Congress to increase funding for CHGME to help train the pediatricians of tomorrow.
Join us for a conversation where pediatricians will share their residency experience, what inspired them to pursue a career in pediatrics, and why CHGME funding is more critical than ever.
Moderator: Juan Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP- Physician in Chief, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Connecticut Children's
Panelists:
- Adam Czynski, DO- System Medical Director Neonatology, Nuvance Health System
- Jan Kaplan- Director of Policy, Children's Hospital Association
- Sherene Mason, MD, MBA- Divison Head of Nephrology, Connecticut Children's
- Nancy Presnick, DO- Chief Resident, Connecticut Children's
The ROI of Kids: Boldy and Fearlessly Investing in Our Children
Friday, June 23, 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2021 Expanded Federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) lifted 2.9 million children out of poverty and led to the lowest child poverty level on record at 5.2%. Despite the initiative’s success, Congress let the tax credit expire at the end of 2021. Connecticut passed its own temporary state-level CTC and has taken steps toward the creation of a Baby Bonds Program—but none of these investments have really gotten off the ground or had real staying power.
Tune in for a conversation on why state and federal leaders should prioritize big and bold financial investments in children.
Moderator: David Krol, MD, MPH, FAAP- Pediatrician and Medical Director of the Connecticut Children's Care Network
Panelists:
- Megan Curran, PhD- Director of Policy, The Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University
- Lynn A. Karoly, PhD- Senior Economist, RAND Corporation
- Erick Russell- Connecticut State Treasurer
- Lisa Tepper Bates, MBA- President and CEO, United Way of Connecticut
Advancing Fearless Policies for Kids: How Far Did Legislators Get In the 2023 Session?
Monday, June 26, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM
The 2023 state legislative session concludes on June 7th, 2023 and by this time, legislators will have passed a new two-year state budget and hundreds of new laws. With all of the challenges facing families born out of the pandemic—were legislators bold enough?
Join the Connecticut Children’s Government Relations Team and our group of distinguished panelists as we discuss the results of the session and their implications for kids and families. We will discuss a range of initiatives that were proposed this session—from universal free school lunch, Medicaid reimbursement for diapers, universal newborn home visiting, tax policy, and more!
Moderator: Aimee Monroy Smith- Senior Vice President of Government Relations & External Affairs, Connecticut Children's
Panelists:
- Emily Byrne- Executive Director, CT Voices for Children
- Kimberly Martini-Carvell, MA- Executive Director, Help Me Grow National Center and Associate Director, Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health
- Barbara Ziogas, MD- Pediatrician, President-Elect of CT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- TBA- Connecticut State Legislator
