POCA Fest 2023 Keynote – Chuck Pyle
BEYOND TRAINING AATs: LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES
The explosion of drug overdose deaths during the fentanyl crisis, increases in gun violence and mass shootings, the relentless multi-generational traumatic impact of mass incarceration and, of course, the death, fear and isolation caused by the pandemic, make it clear that our country could use many more AATs. But a meaningful response to these and other crises requires more than teaching the 5-points. We must create opportunities for AATs to quickly and effectively get into community to provide 5NP. Eliminating statutory and regulatory restrictions is step one. The presentation will discuss the legislative picture in states across the country, along with advice for getting a legislative advocacy effort started. Reaching out to collaborate with any of the many community groups impacted by trauma is the most important and ongoing need we must attend to. Successful community collaborations greatly increase access to 5NP as well as opportunities for AATs to serve their communities. Finally, strategies to incorporate 5NP into social justice initiatives will be explored. Social justice initiatives seek to directly or indirectly impact our political and community institutions. These institutions can benefit greatly by learning more about the client-centered, trauma- informed, humble focus of the 5-Needle Protocol.
Author: ellengrover
is a punk at Philadelphia Community Acupuncture and POCA's current membership coordinator. Email her at membership@pocacoop.com.
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