OKAAP members, here’s what you can do to advocate for the children who have been separated from their families at the border.
- Consider contacting your U.S. representative and lending your voice as an expert in child health and development. The AAP’s federal advocacy website has the latest information and email form letter to guide your outreach. Calls are preferable. You can call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to your representative.
- Write Op Eds and Letters to the Editor describing the harms to children’s health caused by the separation from parents and family and calling on the Administration to reunite these families in safe community-based environments.
In addition to advocacy, you may encounter some of these children in your practice as they are released from U.S. custody and sent to communities across the country. They may have medical and mental health care needs, and in most places they will not qualify for federal or state health insurance programs. Here are some tools and resources provided by the AAP.
- The AAP Immigrant Child Health Toolkit, created by the Immigrant Health Special Interest Group, contains practical information and resources for pediatricians to address common matters related to immigrant child health.
- Support parents and families in your practice and in your networks with this information on the health effects of detention from HealthyChildren.org.
The AAP and OKAAP are closely monitoring this evolving situation and will be in touch with advocacy opportunities as they arise.
More Resources and Information
AAP Statement Opposing Separation of Children and Parents at the Border >>
AAP Statement in Executive Order on Family Separation >>
AAP a leading voice against separating children, parents at border >>
Op Ed from AAP President Dr. Colleen Kraft >>