BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Social Current - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.social-current.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Social Current REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250402T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250402T140000 DTSTAMP:20260414T223308 CREATED:20250317T220825Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250318T141720Z UID:10000476-1743598800-1743602400@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Take Back Your Narrative: Advocacy 101 DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n This interactive virtual training will equip members of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network and other social sector professionals and advocates with the tools to effectively share their stories in support of policy change. Led by Social Current’s Government Affairs and Advocacy team\, this session will explore the power of personal narratives in advocacy\, guiding participants through the process of crafting compelling messages and making targeted policy asks. Whether you are new to advocacy or looking to refine your approach\, this training will provide practical strategies to engage decision makers with confidence and clarity.  \nParticipants will learn how to transform lived experiences into impactful advocacy tools\, navigate conversations with policymakers\, and translate their asks into actionable outcomes. The training will emphasize the importance of direct\, specific\, and strategic communication\, ensuring that every advocacy effort contributes to systemic change. By the end of the session\, attendees will have a stronger understanding of how to effectively advocate for their communities and organizations—ready to take back their narratives and amplify their voices where it matters most.  \nAll human and social services staff are invited to join the Social Current Grassroots Network.   \nThe grassroots advocacy network is a rapid-response team for urgent policy and legislative issues that offers opportunities to exchange ideas\, share solutions\, and build lasting connections across the sector. By joining\, you’ll receive alerts\, advocacy opportunities\, and access to workshops and training to sharpen your strategies and tools.  \nTakeaways\n\nCraft and Communicate a Compelling Narrative: Learn how to effectively share your lived experience and organizational mission in a way that resonates with policymakers\, emphasizing clarity\, brevity\, and impact. \nDevelop and Deliver a Strategic Advocacy Ask: Gain the skills to translate personal and organizational challenges into specific\, actionable policy requests that drive meaningful change. \nNavigate Advocacy Interactions with Confidence: Understand how to engage with policymakers and their staff\, follow up strategically\, and build long-term relationships to strengthen your advocacy efforts.\n\nWho Should Participate\n\nMembers of the Social Current Grassroots Advocacy Network: Join online \n\n\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders \n\n\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach \n\n\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media \n\n\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts \n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n Presenters\n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, Ph.D. (She/Her)\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, Ph.D. (She/Her)\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser is the senior director of government affairs at Social Current. She joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the nonprofit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Before public service\, Abelle-Kiser spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Her work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. \nShe earned a doctorate in biomedical science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/take-back-your-narrative-advocacy-101/ CATEGORIES:Webinar,Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Policy-Advocacy_4.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250416T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250416T150000 DTSTAMP:20260414T223308 CREATED:20250306T142531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250306T174802Z UID:10000470-1744812000-1744815600@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Policy Shifts: Sector Opportunities and Hazards for 2025 and Beyond DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n In 2025 and beyond\, the social sector will need to adapt to significant policy shifts. This briefing will highlight the importance of government contracting and grantmaking reforms to strengthen the sector’s resilience. Additionally\, it will underscore the necessity for innovative strategies to navigate challenges\, such as potential reductions in equity\, diversity\, and inclusion programs and social services funding. \nTakeaways\n\nStrategies to navigate policy shifts\, funding changes\, and regulatory challenges under a second Trump administration\nWays to sustain equity\, diversity\, and inclusion initiatives and essential social services\, adapt to evolving government contracting opportunities\, and strengthen advocacy efforts to ensure organizational resilience\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, PhD\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Blair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/policy-shifts-sector-opportunities-and-hazards-for-2025-and-beyond/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Challenge-Series-Policy.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250422T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250422T140000 DTSTAMP:20260414T223308 CREATED:20241219T184147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250303T185439Z UID:10000450-1745326800-1745330400@www.social-current.org SUMMARY:Advocacy in Action: Behavioral Health Integration and Systems Change DESCRIPTION:Register \n \n This webinar will discuss behavioral health integration and systems change. Participants will learn about strategies to grow coalitions and navigate legislative processes to support behavioral health funding and integration within larger advocacy efforts. \nThis session is designed to empower organizations with the knowledge and resources needed to create actionable advocacy plans and best represent the needs of their communities. \nThe webinar will outline opportunities to join Social Current’s advocacy efforts\, as well as leverage our advocacy toolkit to further support positive social change. Interactive elements\, like crafting clear\, persuasive advocacy messaging and role playing meetings with policymakers\, will ensure participants leave prepared to act. \nThis is one session in the four-part Advocacy in Action webinar series: \n\nSocial Current’s Federal Policy Agenda: Jan. 22 from 1-2 p.m. ET\nStrategies for Workforce Sustainability and Insurance Accessibility: Feb. 19 from 1-2 p.m. ET\nFinancial Health and Equity-Focused Advocacy: March 27 from 1-2 p.m. ET\nBehavioral Health Integration and Systems Change: April 22 from 1-2 p.m. ET\n\nTakeaways\n\nThe overarching vision and priorities of the 2025-2027 Federal Public Policy Agenda\nBasics of effective advocacy\, including crafting clear\, persuasive messages\nAbout Social Current’s advocacy toolkit and how to use it for impactful engagement\n\nWho Should Participate\n\nExecutive Directors and Senior Management: Leaders responsible for setting organizational strategy and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders\nAdvocacy and Policy Directors: Individuals who develop and implement advocacy strategies and engage in policy analysis and outreach\nCommunications and Public Relations Managers: Professionals focused on crafting and disseminating the organization’s message to the public and media\nProgram Managers and Coordinators: Staff who oversee program implementation and need to align program goals with advocacy efforts\n\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, Ph.D.\n \n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n Biography\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Blair Abelle-Kiser\, Ph.D.\n Senior Director of Government Affairs\nSocial Current \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlair Kiser\, Ph.D.\, joined Social Current in 2022 after working in health policy on Capitol Hill\, the non-profit sector\, and as a biomedical researcher. Most recently\, Blair served as Director of Government Relations & Advocacy for NephCure Kidney International. \nDuring their time in public service\, they served as a Professional Staff Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis. They led a corporate investigation regarding insider trading and financial improprieties\, conflicts of interest associated with Operation Warp Speed’s leadership\, and scientific information politicization. Prior to joining the Select Subcommittee\, they worked for Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)\, where they served as a Health Policy Fellow. In Senator Brown’s office\, they led a range of legislative and oversight efforts involving public health and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, they worked with several community hospice advocacy organizations and a Republican office to help craft the bipartisan COVID-19 Hospice Respite Care Relief Act of 2020. \nPrior to public service\, Blair spent several years as a medical research scientist on several industry and NIH-funded projects. Their work focused on developing research projects and clinical trials to improve the lives of African Americans with Sickle Cell Disease. They earned a doctorate in Biomedical Science from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2011. URL:https://www.social-current.org/event/advocacy-in-action-behavioral-health-integration-and-systems-change/ CATEGORIES:Policy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.social-current.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Policy-Advocacy_1.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR