ABOUT CABWHP

The California Black Women’s Health Project (CABWHP), a 501(c)(3) organization and an affiliate of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (formerly the National Black Women’s Health Project) based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1994. Our mission is to improve the health status of Black women in California and to promote a broader Black women’s health agenda through education, advocacy and policy development. To fulfill our mission, CABWHP: polls women through surveys and focus groups for their opinions on health and wellness; informs women about numerous health issues from a Black perspective; advocates for policies that will eliminate the disparities in Black women’s health status; and assists community based organizations in conducting workshops and programs about issues affecting Black women’s health.

THE ADVOCATE TRAINING PROGRAM

The Advocate Training Program is a new program designed to train women from the grassroots community to become effective health policy activists and advocates. The issues range from general empowerment to specific health concerns, such as mental and emotional wellness. The training program also includes a skill-building focus so that participants will learn community organizing and advocacy skills. Initiating and sustaining letter-writing campaigns to writing press releases will be taught in an interactive environment. The central focus of this project is to empower Black women who are not traditionally part of the policy advocacy arena to advocate for their health and the health of their families. By accomplishing our training goals, we will enhance and expand the network of activists, policymakers and leaders striving to improve the health of Black women in California.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The ATP is a ten-week course that meets for approximately 3 hours per week. In Los Angeles, the program begins in the Fall of each year. The ATP has a curriculum designed to provide a broad overview of health policy advocacy, agenda setting, effective strategies and leadership and social action training. The specific topics covered include:

· The Legislative and Budget Process
· 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 present the topics. Textbook and hands-on interactive material will also be used as a core component of the program. In their culminating experience, the ATP participants will complete a group project that can potentially impact the communities where they live and serve.

WHO SHOULD APPLY

The CABWHP seeks bright, motivated individuals committed to policy advocacy for Black women’s health. Criteria for selection to the program include individuals who have:

· Previous grassroots involvement
· An interest in Black women’s health
· An interest in learning and developing policy advocacy skills
· A background in women’s health or similar background
· Can commit to the ten week program
*** Applicants with little or no policy experience are given priority***

Applications will be available on-line at www.cabwhp.org, or at the California Black Women’s Health Project’s Office in Inglewood CA. You may: (1) call us at (310) 412-1828; 2) write to us at 101 North La Brea Avenue, Suite 610, Inglewood, CA 90301; or (3) fax a request to (310) 412-0923. If you have a question or would like to email your completed application, send it to wellwoman@cabwhp.org.