Local Advocacy Network (LAN) 

Harpreet Malla, Ph.D.
Local Advocacy Network (LAN) Chair
[email protected] 

 

 

The mission of the Local Advocacy Network Committee is to connect LACPA members with CPA’s and APA’s governmental grassroots advocacy efforts.  Governmental advocacy represents efforts to promote and sustain the profession of psychology and includes legislative and judicial activities as well as efforts directed toward state and federal regulatory agencies. The LAN committee educates members about the importance of governmental advocacy and works to integrate governmental advocacy efforts into the overall mission of LACPA.  In addition, the LAN works to educate LACPA members about the importance of political giving through the CPA-PAC. 

• Respond to requests for grassroots action from CPA and APA in a timely fashion through the LACPA listserv and other means 
• Forward LAN news clips from CPA to LACPA's listserv to help members stay informed about an issue affecting our profession
• Provide feedback on grassroots efforts to CPA advocacy staff
• Provide feedback to CPA LAN Chair and CPA staff about legislative ideas/changes in the law, etc.
• Build relationships with L.A. County area legislators, through district meetings, training on handling distressed constituents, meet and greets legislative roundtables, or fundraisers
• Update LACPA members on the status of current legislative initiatives
• Attend CPA’s Leadership and Advocacy Conference and Lobby Day in Sacramento each year and recruit LACPA members to attend
• Nominate L.A. County legislators who support psychology-friendly legislation
• Assist LACPA President in raising funds for CPA-PAC and attend PAC dinner during the CPA Convention
• Guest edit the annual advocacy issue of The Los Angeles Psychologist

Hello again LACPA family, 

As this year's LAN (Local Advocacy Network) Chair, I am thrilled to announce an opportunity for anybody considering attending CPA's Lobby Day. It is imperative that passionate professionals within our field represent us, and the interests of our clients, with legislators at the Capitol in Sacramento, CA and it seems there has been a surge of interest and lots of questions about how to get involved. I am incredibly heartened to see the enthusiasm for activism and social justice, especially in this political landscape. 
 
Some important dates ahead: 
  • 2/20 Apply for student funding for Lobby Day via CPA Division II or CPA (details on Lobby Day registration page)
  • 2/22 Apply early for LACPA's Lobby Day Funding Opportunity (details below)
  • 2/27 Register for Lobby Day (must be a CPA member also) https://www.cpapsych.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?alias=2026LobbyDay
  • 3/13 Lobby Day Virtual Training
  • 3/17 & 18 Lobby Day onsite in Sacramento, CA 
For those who are curious and don't know where to start, please refer here for
 CPA x LACPA's AMA (ask-me-anything) informational video:

Passcode: nlJs^@7E 

A Special Opportunity for LACPA Members Attending Lobby Day
CPA's Lobby Day is an integral part of the relationship, influence, and impact Californians can have on the legislature in our professional roles as psychologists, and we often stand together taller as a team. We understand that taking time off midweek and traveling to the Capitol in Sacramento can be costly, and want to encourage more psychologists to participate in Lobby Day and remove some barriers to accessing these kinds of opportunities. This year, LACPA is pleased to offer a travel stipend to cover flight, hotel, and other expenses for LACPA members attending Lobby Day. Simply send your proof of registration for Lobby Day (deadline 2/27) along with a brief blurb about your passion for attending Lobby Day at the State Capitol as a Los Angeles psychologist to this year's Local Advocacy Network (LAN) Chair, Dr Harpreet Malla via email at [email protected] and you may win one of two paid Lobby Day experiences! Our internal deadline for selection consideration is 2/22 to encourage early registration.
 
Many thanks for your time and attention, and I hope that you will consider joining me at Lobby Day!
 
Your friendly neighborhood LAN Chair,

~Harpreet Malla, Ph.D.
2026 LACPA Local Advocacy Network Chair
Los Angeles County Psychological Association LACPA
2025 CPA Division VII Chair (Diversity & Social Justice)
California Psychological Association CPA
Connect with Dr. Malla