Advocacy Events

Empire State Convention Center, Meeting Rooms 2, 3 & 4   
Empire State Plaza, Albany

Registration:  9:30 a.m.
Welcome Program:  10:30 a.m. - Noon 

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Community Health Center Grassroots Advocacy Day is right around the corner, and we hope you are finalizing your plans to come to Albany on March 3rd. This is our opportunity to ensure that policymakers are familiar with the high quality, cost-effective primary care services provided by community, homeless and migrant health centers and our work towards achieving the "Triple Aim" of better health, better care, and lower costs. 

Details:

• Registration: The deadline to register for Advocacy Day is Monday, February 24.
  Click here to get started!
  
  
• Materials: Visit our Advocacy Day materials page for help preparing for March 3rd. This page will be updated frequently over the coming weeks, so please check back often!
  
  
• Legislative Appointments with Your Local Legislators:  Please begin to schedule your afternoon (between 12:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.) appointments with your local legislators as soon as possible.  If you do not have the direct phone numbers for your legislators, call the Assembly Operator at 518-455-4100 and/or the Senate Operator at 518-455-2800. The more opportunities we can create to present our issues, the better. In addition, please encourage your legislators to join us for the morning Welcome Program in meeting rooms 2, 3, and 4 of the Empire State Convention Center from 10:30 a.m. to noon, where we will be introducing the goals of Advocacy Day, discussing our legislative agenda and hearing from New York State’s elected leaders.
  
  
• Lunch:  As a result of recent changes to the Empire State Plaza food vendors, it is necessary for CHCANYS to only provide boxed lunches for Advocacy Day registrants. In order to ensure that we have enough food on hand, it is essential for us to have an accurate headcount. Please register online by Monday, February 24 in order to qualify for a boxed lunch. If you are a vegetarian, a vegan, or will need a Kosher meal, please be sure to check the appropriate box on the registration form.
  
  
• Security:  Allow time to pass through Capitol and Legislative Office Building security checkpoints, including metal detectors. You should have photo identification with you at all times.  Proof of citizenship is not necessary. Pocket and Leatherman knives cannot be carried through security.
  
  
• Time & Place:  Registration and a continental breakfast will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Meeting Rooms 2, 3 & 4 of the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.  The Welcome Program will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.  Please allow plenty of time for travel, parking and arrival. The Empire State Plaza is a large complex; it can take 15 minutes to walk from one end to the other (wear comfortable shoes!). If you will need a wheelchair, please be sure to check the appropriate box when registering online.
  
  
• Transportation and Parking Information:  Parking at the Empire State Plaza is very limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis.  It is not possible to reserve parking during the legislative session. Car pools, buses or vans are recommended.
  
  
• Hotels:  Please click here for a list of area hotels. Rooms fill up quickly; if you plan to stay overnight, we encourage you to book now! Contact the hotels directly for rates/reservations. 

A strong showing of numbers is essential to the success of Community Health Center Advocacy Day, and we urge you to recruit widely for this important event. Consider soliciting support from staff, allies in your community, and your board. Please call the CHCANYS Albany office at 518-434-0767 if you have any questions or concerns.  We look forward to seeing you on March 3rd!