CALA News & Views | Issue 48 | Impact

THIS YEAR WAS ANOTHER EXCITING YEAR FOR CALA’S GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY EFFORTS. GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY IS AN ESSENTIAL ASPECT OF CALA’S EFFORTS TO EDUCATE LEGISLATORS ABOUT ASSISTED LIVING, MEMORY CARE AND CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, AND DEVELOP IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS. GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY

From legislative visits and letter writing campaigns to Day in Your District and Advocacy Day , CALA members used their voices to help shape the future of policy in California. One of the most impactful and important ways to cultivate relationships with your legislators is to invite them to visit your community. With recent elections sending a largely new group of legislators to Sacramento, legislative visits are essential in shaping their perspective of senior living. In fact, 19 CALA member communities welcomed a newly elected state legislator into their community for a visit, tour or townhall. Additionally, CALA members welcomed 21 veteran legislators at their communities while continuing to foster meaningful relationships with their legislators and staff. Member advocacy efforts did not stop with tours and continued as CALA members met with legislators and staff during our annual advocacy events, Advocacy Day and Day in Your District . These advocacy events help policymakers understand the care and services CALA members provide to constituents in their district, along with the large number of jobs created. This year during Advocacy Day , over 70 legislators and staff met with CALA members in Sacramento to discuss the pressing issues facing senior living, from background checks to minimum wage. The conversations and relationships built truly are essential in furthering our voice in the Legislature and impacting the future of senior living policy in California. During the Legislature’s summer recess, 87 CALA members met with legislators in their district offices as part of CALA’s Day in Your District . Many of the connections that members made in

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