Advocating for Californians Impacted by PANS/PANDAS
If YOU, or someone YOU LOVE,
has been impacted by PANS/PANDAS, please write and submit your letter of impact to us
so we may share your stories with our California State Representatives.
panscalifornia@gmail. com
Letter of Impact Template:
(Month) (Day) (Year)
The Honorable (First name) (Last name)
(Room Number), State Capitol
Sacramento, CA (Zip Code)
RE: PANS/PANDAS Insurance Coverage Legislation
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Dear (Assembly Member/Senator) (Last name):
My name is (your first and last name) and I am a (family member
/service provider/advocate/community member) who resides in your district.
(State why you support PANS/PANDAS legislation. Choose up to three of the
strongest points that support your position and state them clearly.)
(Include a personal story. Tell your representative why the issue is important to you and how it
affects you, your family members and your community.)
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If Mailing a Letter: Be sure to include your name and address on both your letter and envelope.)
Sincerely,
SIGN YOUR NAME
Print your name
Street address
City, State, Zip code
Tips To Calling Your Representative
What To Say:
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Your senator and assemblyman have offices in your city and at the capital in Sacramento. Find your Assemblymen and Senators phone numbers and call both their local office(s) and the Sacramento office. Introduce yourself to the staffer who answers the phone.
Start with an introduction. I use: Hi my name is _____ and I’m a constituent of Rep./Sen. ____ calling about a concern I have. Have you heard about PANS/PANDAS?
Be sure to say you are a constituent. They might ask for your zip code, so have that ready. Tell your representative about PANS/PANDAS and the impact it has had on your family and other families. Remember, our representatives are people just like us, and they live in our communities. They are parents too and they will want to help our children once they learn about PANS/PANDAS.
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Be concise, informative, polite and think, "Elevator Pitch."
An elevator pitch is a brief (think 30 seconds!) way of introducing yourself, getting across a key point or two, and making a connection with someone.
Say what you are comfortable saying. Remember, you are just calling to inform our representatives about PANS/PANDAS. Most of the time they will just tell you they will pass on your concern. Congrats - if they do this then you are done!
They might read a prepared statement in response. They might even say that your rep is not going to take action on the issue you brought up. If necessary, reiterate your request. If they read a statement or say the representative will not take action, don’t get flustered. Politely thank the staffer and say "Good bye" and move on to the next representative.
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