Advocate Training Program 2004

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CABWHP will soon begin training a new class for our innovative Advocate Training Program (ATP). The ATP is a program that is designed to train women from the grassroots community to become effective health policy activists and advocates. In 2002 and 2003, the program was enormously successful. We anticipate that the 2004 ATP will be equally (if not more) successful.

The ATP focuses on advocacy that addresses the intersection between Black women's mental, emotional and physical health. The training program emphasizes skill-building so that participants learn many skills (including community organizing, media advocacy, effective legislative advocacy) in an interactive environment.

The central focus of the ATP is to empower Black women who are not traditionally part of the policy advocacy arena to advocate for their health, the health of their families and the health of the Black community. Graduates of the ATP will become an active part of the network of activists, policymakers and leaders striving to improve the health of Black women in California.

The ATP is a 10-week course that meets one evening per week for approximately 3 hours. The program will begin in late September and conclude in early December with a graduation ceremony and group project presentation. The meetings are held in Inglewood, California.

The ATP has a curriculum designed to provide a broad overview of health policy and advocacy, agenda setting, effective strategies and leadership and social action training. The specific topics covered include:

• The Legislative and Budget Processes
• Effective Systems/Public Policy Advocacy
• Impacting Public Policy through Community Organizing and Media Strategy
• Black Women's health: Mind, Body & Soul
• Strategy Building and Implementation
• Individual and Self-Advocacy

CABWHP staff, policy experts, healthcare experts and social activists provide instruction and facilitate discussion at weekly seminars/workshops. Textbook and hands-on interactive material also will be used as a core component of the program. ATP participants must commit to completing a group project that can potentially impact the communities where they live and serve. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to attend several day-long workshops and trainings in the Spring of 2005.

The CABWHP is currently seeking bright, motivated individuals committed to policy advocacy for Black women's health. Specifically, we are looking for Black women who have:

• Previous grassroots involvement
• An interest in Black women's health
• A background in women's health or similar background
• No (or little) policy experience
• Will commit to attend at least 8 out of 10 classes during the 10-week program

CABWHP will select up to 15 participants for the Fall 2004 program. Participants will be carefully selected to represent the community in terms of age, education, work, socio-economic backgrounds and volunteer experience.

Completed applications must be postmarked by August 14, 2004. Applications are available on-line at www.cabwhp.org or by calling (310) 412-1828.