Greetings and Welcome to The Empowered Advocate !

Continuing to fulfill APNC's promise to keep you up to date on what's trending in the field, The Empowered Advocate will be a regular specialty newsletter. Future installments will offer insights and tips from our Policy & Advocacy Specialist Kathleen Lowe, links to the latest national and local news media regarding policy and funding, highlights from our partner organizations' strong work, timely policy alerts, and calls
to action.

Additionally, we will begin Profiles in Advocacy, illustrating the life and work of NC's many advocacy heroes. If you know such a person you'd like to see featured in
The Empowered Advocate , let us know.
Short Session is Just Around the Corner

The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) reconvenes for the short session on
May 16, 2018 .

When the Legislature is in session, we at APNC attend relevant committee meetings and track bills affecting substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery. Consider what you can do to be prepared:



  • Keep up to date on the NCGA legislative calendar here;  

  • The NCGA broadcasts live, real-time audio of the daily House and Senate sessions, press conferences in the Press Conference Room, and meetings held in the Appropriations and Finance Committee Rooms. Click here to listen in;

  • Revisit how bills become law so you know the different methods of advocacy along the way; and

  • Of course, share with us any information you might have about policies our tribe should know about. It takes a village!

Speaking of policy, APNC's 2nd Annual SUD Policy Summit is sold out! For those of you who registered, we'll see you tomorrow. If you couldn't make it to Raleigh this time, we'll send out another advocacy newsletter soon with highlights from the event.


Until next time,
Kathleen


Kathleen Lowe, MSW
Policy & Advocacy Specialist
Supported in part through funding from the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services via the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant at the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration.