Congressional contacts and building relationships are the most effective means to educate members of Congress. At this year’s Advocacy Campaign, the AACAP Department of Government Affairs Director, Kristin Kroeger Ptakowski, provides an overview of AACAP’s legislative issues and the progress our advocacy efforts have made to date. Elizabeth Rorick, J.D., AACAP Assistant Director of Government Affairs, presents materials and strategies for educating your congressional representatives. Kevin Jones, AACAP Assistant Director for State Advocacy, provides an overview of AACAP’s legislative activities at the state and local levels of government. An Illinois State Legislator gives a first hand account of effective methods for communicating with elected officials. Erin Baker, AACAP Director of Communications and Member Services, presents on the media’s role in heightening traditional advocacy efforts. A training session demonstrates how to effectively advocate for children’s mental health issues in meetings with legislators. Harsh Trivedi, M.D. shares insights from a physician's perspective on the advocacy process and presents practical methods on how to get more involved. The AACAP Department of Government Affairs also answers questions from the group on components of specific legislation, state and local advocacy efforts, the political climate given the upcoming elections, grassroots efforts, and any other legislative affairs related questions.