Fiscal Year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Alert
Every year, Congress must pass appropriations bills that set the funding levels for all federal agencies and programs. We are most interested in the bill that funds the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (the Labor-HHS bill), since it decides how much money will be spent on CHD-related research and surveillance activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). We need to advocate for the programs most important to us to ensure that their funding levels are maintained.
The Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act Approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
Earlier today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a markup on the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act (CHFRA). The bill was unanimously approved by the Committee and moved a step closer to consideration by the full Senate.
Call your Senators who serve on the HELP Committee
We need your help! We need all ACHA Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Activists (advocating for those affected by CHD) whose Senators serve on the HELP Committee (list below) to call them and ask them to support the bill in the upcoming markup on Wednesday. If you live in one of the relevant states, please call your Senator today!
Board of Directors Recruitment Period Opens
The Adult Congenital Heart Association is currently recruiting highly-qualified candidates to serve on the ACHA Board of Directors (BOD). To learn more about the roles, responsibilities and qualifications for our BOD, please click here.
Kristin Edwards Becomes Houston's Community Development Coordinator
The only organization in the country that specifically serves adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) has named Kristin Edwards Community Development Coordinator for Houston—one of six and the final region ACHA has targeted for expansion in 2018. In this role, Edwards will plan, implement, and lead local program and development initiatives, including patient and family education and support groups, CHD conferences, fundraising and volunteer activities, and overall community outreach.
ACHA Welcomes Eliza Fernie as Community Development Coordinator in Colorado
The only organization in the country that specifically serves adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) has named Eliza Fernie Community Development Coordinator for Denver. In this role, Fernie will plan, implement, and lead local program and development initiatives, including patient and family education and resource groups, CHD conferences, fundraising and volunteer activities, and overall community outreach.
Margaret High-Thomas Named Community Development Coordinator in Columbus Ohio
The only organization in the country that specifically serves adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) has named Margaret High-Thomas Community Development Coordinator for Columbus—one of five regions ACHA has targeted for expansion this year. In this role, High-Thomas will plan, implement, and lead local program and development initiatives, including patient and family education and support groups, CHD conferences, fundraising and volunteer activities, and overall community outreach.
New Los Angeles Community Development Coordinator: Emily Earhart
The only organization in the country that specifically serves adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) has named Emily Earhart Community Development Coordinator for Los Angeles—one of five regions ACHA has targeted for expansion this year. In this role, Los Angeles native Earhart will plan, implement, and lead local program and development initiatives, including patient and family education and support groups, CHD conferences, fundraising and volunteer activities, and overall community outreach.
Introducing Greater Philadelphia’s New Community Development Coordinator Trawana Porter
The Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA), the only organization in the country that specifically serves adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), has named Trawana Porter Community Development Coordinator for Greater Philadelphia. In this role, Porter will plan, implement, and lead local program and development initiatives, including patient and family education and support groups, CHD conferences, fundraising and volunteer activities, and overall community outreach.
April 2018 President/CEO Letter: National Conference and Events Update
In the past few weeks, I have heard from several constituents inquiring about the timing and location for the next ACHA National Conference, so I want to provide an update to our full membership.
The ACHA National Conference—our premier event that gathers both patient/family members and medical providers—has recently taken place every three years (2011 in L.A., 2014 in Chicago, 2017 in Orlando). Following that cycle, our next Conference year would be 2020, and that is the target we are working toward. However, we want to make sure there are enhanced opportunities for gatherings in the “off years” as well.