Public Policy & Education

Advocacy --

Want to contact a public official or representative? Select a link below to find information on local, state and federal government contacts:

Focus Area: Microbicides --

The Junior League of Los Angeles has taken a leadership role in educating our members, community partners, and friends about (1) the research and development of microbicides, (2) the Microbicide Development Act, (3) the Global Campaign for Microbicides, and (4) advocacy efforts around this important women's health issue.

Microbicides are agents which can prevent the transmission of HIV and other STDs which can be used in creams or other topical treatments. The world still has only limited options to prevent the sexual transmission of such viruses and many women do not have the social or economic power necessary to insist on condom use and fidelity, or to abandon partnerships that put them at risk. Microbicides would enable women to protect themselves and their partners. Click here to learn more.

Publishing House --

This program distributes Domestic Violence brochures Cards to increase community awareness and education. This domestic violence pamphlet includes ways to identify an abusive relationship, provides statistics about domestic violence, identifies exit strategies and lists the telephone numbers of shelters and hotlines throughout Los Angeles. The brochure is available in numerous languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Armenian and Vietnamese at emergency rooms, OB/GYN facilities, forums discussing the issue, and various other locations throughout the city. The Domestic Violence Survivor Card is a wallet size card that lists rape hotlines, domestic violence shelters and other abuse-related phone numbers in the city and county of Los Angeles. Additionally, the project distributes educational materials such as child identification kits, breast cancer awareness and educational cards, and our popular "Read to Succeed" pencils and other school supplies.

State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) --

The State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) is a non-partisan education and advocacy organization charged with promoting voluntarism and legislation favorable to its member Leagues' community projects and focus areas. SPAC will celebrate 35 years of advocacy in 2006.

California SPAC is composed of two delegates from each of the 16 Junior Leagues in the state, representing over 12,000 voting women and nearly 100 community projects in the areas of Education, Family Support, Health and Violence Prevention that are supported by approximately $2 million in project funds, grants, and gifts.

Keeping Track of SPAC and Public Issues

SPAC researches and reviews and then votes to support, sponsor or oppose legislation which may impact the Junior League mission, purpose and projects throughout the state. SPAC is assisted in selecting project-related legislation by Sacramento Advocacy, an independent legislative consulting and lobbying firm in Sacramento. SPAC is committed to project-driven legislative advocacy in the following Subcommittees:

Education
That all children and young adults receive educational opportunities that are developmentally appropriate, increase achievement and lead to workplace marketability.
Family Support
To support programs and policies that promote the physical and emotional well-being of families.
Health
For better access to quality health care and prevention programs that will improve the mental and physical health of our community members.
Violence Prevention
To address the impact of violence on our community members through prevention, intervention and education.

For more information, please contact (323) 957-4280 or email: SPAC@jlla.org.

The following Junior Leagues of California advocate for community projects and focus areas through SPAC:

Junior League of Bakersfield
Junior League of Fresno
Junior League of Long Beach
Junior League of Los Angeles
Junior League of Monterey
Junior League of Napa/Sonoma
Junior League of Oakland/East Bay
Junior League of Orange County
Junior League of Palo Alto - Mid Peninsula
Junior League of Pasadena
Junior League of Riverside
Junior League of Sacramento
Junior League of San Diego
Junior League of San Francisco
Junior League of San Jose
Junior League of Santa Barbara