Child Advocacy

Section 1: Advocacy Training

The main goal of this rotation is to train you with skills on how to be an advocate for your patients and your community now in residency and once you are out in your practice.  This goal will be reached through preparation through the American Academy of Pediatric's Advocacy Training Modules, as well as  two advocacy training sessions, first through UNLV's School of Community Health Sciences and second, through a local childhood advocacy group known as the Children's Advocacy Alliance of Nevada.

• Prior to both sites, please read Chapter 7: Legislative & Social Advocacy from the Community Pediatrics Training Initiative Toolkit

• At the end of the rotation you will complete a letter to Representative OR an AAP Op-Ed

UNLV Advocacy Training 

• A 1-2 Hour session on understanding public policy: legislation, how bills are passed, and how to be a children's advocate using your voice and expertise in the field of children's health.

• Site Preparation:

  • Read the article:  “Public Policy in Children’s Health” prior to attending this session

  • Review the National Institute for Children's Research & Policy Website (UNLV)

  • Read Chapter 3 of the AAP Advocacy Guide: Pointing you in the right direction to become an effective advocate

Children’s Advocacy Alliance Advocacy Training 

• Continue your advocacy training/public policy understanding by learning how to write a letter to your legislature (and other advocacy tools)  at a second 1-2 hour session with this local advocacy group.

• The letter you write will be regarding your stance on current legislation related to your advocacy topic chosen during your 1st year, or another topic you are passionate about.

• This letter will be submitted to the Rotation Director and to your congressman/woman and senator.

• Site Preparation:

  • Review the Nevada Children's Advocacy Alliance of Nevada  Website

  • Read Chapters 4&5 of the AAP Advocacy Guide: Pointing you in the right direction to become an effective advocate

  • Examples letter & tips: Chapter 7: Legislative & Social Advocacy from the Community Pediatrics Training Initiative Toolkit

Section 3: Structured Educational Experiences

During the rotation you will be visiting several sites that will help in having a better appreciation and understanding of the rotation topics and services provided.  Residents are required to read the article pertinent to each location prior to attending the tour and discussion.  Please see the DIRECTORY for all addresses and contacts

In general for all experiences, residents are required to (1) confirm their time and location 1-2 days prior, (2) read any applicable articles/websites/handouts, (3) attend the session/experience on time as this will be reflected upon in professionalism.  

Child Abuse & Neglect

• Know how to identify signs of abuse & neglect and what appropriate actions need to be taken as a provider.  You will visit sites/meetings including the Child Death Review, and Child Haven

• Read "Pediatrics in Review: Managing Child Abuse" & review relevant web pages:

• Sites/Meetings:

  • Child Death Review Meeting - Online Only and on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (please complete the confidentiality agreement on the 2nd Tuesday of the month)

    • A multi-disciplinary meeting to evaluate recent pediatric deaths in Clark County

  • Child Haven - you will arrange this visit

    • An emergency shelter for abused and neglected children

    • please bring any toys or clothes to donate here

Intimate Partner Violence:  On Hold

• Visit two sites in Las Vegas that provide services for women and families who are affected by Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence.

• Objective: Learn how to identify and provide services patients and families who may be, or are affected by intimate partner violence

• Please Read “Intimate Partner Violence: The Role of Pediatrician” and review each respective website prior to the site visits.

• Sites to Visit:

  • The Shade Tree: A Safety Shelter for women, children and pets

  • The Safe Nest: An organization which provides confidential and comprehensive services including shelter, counseling, advocacy and prevention. 

Human Trafficking Session (New Hope Foundation International: 201 S. Las Vegas Blvd, Suite 150) - On Hold

• Read “AAP, Child Sex Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation”

• 1-2 Hour Informative Discussion with Adia Landcaster to understand how Human Trafficking affects children, teens and families in our area.  You will also learn how to identify signs of human trafficking and where to refer for services and assistance.

Various Child Advocacy Organization Meetings & Conferences

• Depending on your schedule you may be able to become a community partner with a Pediatrician’s Perspective, where you will attend local meetings

• Talk about local and federal issues, and what is being done at various levels

Section 5: Online Modules

Should these three online modules be assigned to you on a certain day, please have them completed that day and take a screenshot to send to the rotation director.  (You can complete them early if you wish)  Except for the APA Module 4, the modules are through the AAP Pedialink shop (which you will need to be logged in through your AAP Account).  Once on the Course Page, click Register, then click on your Cart in the Top Right Corner, then Place Order.  You will then go to your Digital Library and My Continuing Education to find the Course

• APA Module 4 "Taking Action to Address Child Poverty"  From the Academic Pediatric Association.  We will discuss this during the midmonth talk.

• AAP Pedialink: Fighting Racism to Advance Child Health Equity This activity is designed to change competence and performance by focusing on ways to equip pediatricians to advance child health equity by applying an anti-racist lens to the systems shaping health and medicine.

• AAP Pedialink: Pediatric Trainees Medical Humanities Writing Curriculum  Involvement in the medical humanities has been recognized as an important aspect of medical training. Trainees who participate in medical humanities activities have been noted to have higher empathy, greater resourcefulness, and lower burnout scores. Writing provides a no- to low-cost opportunity for trainees to engage in the medical humanities as well as academic and professional development. Furthermore, trainee writing can have a positive impact on wider advocacy and social justice efforts. Trainees, however, may perceive barriers to creating and submitting pieces of written work, and few resources for writing development are readily available to this learner group.

Final Module Requirement:

Pick one from this list and send a screen shot of its completion (requires AAP Login to Register & should be free):

• https://shop.aap.org/section-on-pediatric-trainees-medical-humanities-writing-curriculum/ 

• https://shop.aap.org/safer-storing-firearms-prevents-harm/

• https://shop.aap.org/plans-of-safe-care-for-infants-exposed-to-opioids/

• https://shop.aap.org/addressing-health-equity-for-black-cyshcn/  (children and youth with special health care needs) 

• https://shop.aap.org/calm-for-pediatric-providers-counseling-on-access-to-lethal-means-to-prevent-youth-suicide/ 

• https://shop.aap.org/trauma-informed-care-and-resilience-promotion/

• https://shop.aap.org/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders-recognition-and-management/  

Final/Capstone Project:

By the end of the rotation you will have a project due to culminate your experience.  You may choose a Letter to a Legislator or an Op-Ed about your advocacy topic.

Letter to a Legislature Tips:

• Address to both your State Senator and Assembly Member

• Use your home addess, and titles is Pediatric Resident, avoid UNLV signage

• If it is a Legislative year we can use your letter as a testimonal for official record!

• Guides

  • APA

  • AAP

  • CBRP Toolkit

Op-Ed Tips:

• See the AAP Advocacy website for tips Op-Ed