ABOUT THE ADVOCATE TRAINING PROGRAM (ATP)

The ATP is a nine-month leadership development and skills building course designed to train women and girls from the grassroots community to become effective health policy activists and advocates. In the initial intense 10-week course, participants learn community organizing and advocacy skills, including how to initiate and sustain letter-writing campaigns, effective legislative and media advocacy and other skills in an interactive environment. The central focus of the program 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. Through this program, we enhance and expand the network of activists, policymakers and leaders striving to improve the health of Black women in California. To date, the ATP has produced forty-four women's health advocates trained in Black women's health issues, media advocacy, community organizing and strategy development.