Policy education team
Pictured: Nonye Nwaoha (policy education associate), DaMonte Jones (Co-director of policy education), Assemblymember Tim Grayson, N’dea Johnson (CEO & Founder), Isaiah Pearce (volunteer) at the California State Capitol.
Our Policy Education team’s purpose is to educate the public on mental health and trauma legislation, create platforms for survivors of trauma, and work with lawmakers to help elevate issues surrounding survivors of trauma and bring the survivors’ stories to the elected officials.
Through our Policy Education for Progress program, we conduct research to help break down policy language into accessible information and draft legislation that is centered around the support of trauma survivors. We develop ways to educate the general public on policies surrounding mental health, trauma, public health, and survivor needs.
Accomplishments
Held a subcommittee hearing at the California State Capitol in collaboration with California Assemblymember Tim Grayson on Streamlining Resources for survivors of Interpersonal Violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020 and 2021, we’ve met with representatives from over 40 offices of elected officials ranging from locally elected to federally elected-- including those of former California Senator and now Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris, about elevating the stories and educating on legislation to support survivors of trauma.
In 2021, we proposed a bill to the California legislature for the formation of a Sexual and Domestic Violence Task Force demanding an expansion on consent education, centralized sexual assault resources, and research on violence against people of color with an emphasis on Black and Indigenous people.
In 2021 we networked with OVER 40+ offices to advocate and educate elected officials on policies for survivors of trauma.
In 2021 we held a Mental Health Town Hall featuring Assemblymember Blanca Rubio
In 2020, we hosted a Sexual and Domestic Violence Town Hall for survivors, politicians, and non-profit leaders to brainstorm tangible policy changes to support survivors, featuring US Congressman Eric Swalwell and US Congressman Mike Thompson as well as President of Alliance for Hope, Casey Gwinn and CEO of Love Never Fails, Vanessa Russell.
our team
Pictured left to right
top row: Co-Director Nia Hill, Co- Director DaMonte Jones, Associate Alexandria Ford, Associate Elise Smith
bottom row: Associate Jasmine Young, Associate Nonye Nwaoha