Skip to content

2022 APA State Advocacy Conference

October 15-16, 2022 | Minneapolis, Minn.

With state legislatures increasingly focused on legislation affecting mental health and access to care, this is a crucial time for APA members to learn more about the state legislative process and important advocacy topics.

The 2022 State Advocacy Conference will focus on developing effective legislative strategies and tactics to engage legislators on the many challenges facing psychiatry and mental health at the state level. Attendees will be equipped to engage lawmakers on legislation impacting state mental health care policies.

  • In person
  •  Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  •  Saturday, October 15 - Sunday, October 16, 2022

Registration

Each District Branch, Council, and Area is encouraged to designate a member who has not previously attended the State Advocacy Conference, or a member who seeks future leadership in advocacy. This members' hotel and travel fees will be paid for by APA. This members' registration fee is $250. APA-sponsored registration deadline: August 15, 2022.

A self-pay option is also available for those members who wish to attend and pay for their own travel and hotel room. The registration fee is waived for members covering their own travel and hotel room. Self-pay registration deadline: September 23, 2022.

Schedule-of-Events

We are currently receiving confirmations from invited speakers; please check back often as session information and conference resources will be updated below.

The following schedule is subject to change.

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Noon - 2:00 p.m. Registration
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions:
  • Social Media Training
  • Hot Button Topics and How to Advocate as a Physician (physician-patient relationship, guns, and other controversial topics)
3:15 - 4:15 p.m. The Psychology of Mass Shooters: How Can Red Flag Laws Help?
During this session, attendees will hear from experts on gun violence and how red flag/extreme risk protection laws work to protect patients. We will also explore best practices for these laws and their implementation.
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Welcome Remarks and Reception
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Dinner with Tim Storey, National Conference of State Legislatures: State Election Outlook 2022

Sunday, October 16, 2022

7:45 - 8:45 a.m. Networking Breakfast: 988 and Reimagining Crisis Response
Over breakfast, attendees will receive an overview and update on 988 and the efforts to implement the system in the states. Attendees will learn how they can leverage their experiences and advocacy to benefit patients.
8:45 - 9:00 a.m. Introduction
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Scope of Practice: Legislators Share Their Experiences – What Works & What Doesn’t
State legislators will share their experiences working on state scope of practice legislation and give tips to attendees on how to put their best foot forward when advocating for patient safety.
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Send a message to your legislator: we will walk you through it!
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. - Noon Access to Care: Collaborative Care
During this session, speakers will share practical guidance on working in the Collaborative Care Model. Attendees will also hear from advocates and legislators on successfully advocating for Collaborative Care legislation.
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. Lunch: Building A Broad Legislative Team & Coalition
During this working lunch, attendees will learn strategies for creating a strong advocacy team within your District Branch, engaging diverse membership throughout your state to effectively advocate to a broad section of legislators. Attendees will hear from speakers on building and expanding advocacy coalitions in states.
1:15 - 1:30 p.m. Break
1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Prior Authorization Model Legislation Unveiling
APA’s brand-new state model legislation for reforming prior authorization will be presented to attendees, along with helpful advocacy tools for pursuing this legislative initiative in the states.
3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Closing Remarks

Accreditation

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The APA designates this live activity for a maximum of 7 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the act.

Medical leadership for mind, brain and body.

Join Today