Lobbying For ED Awareness

Get active!

Capitol Hill is the place for
eating disorder advocacy in April!
The Eating Disorders Coalition is hosting our biggest-ever EDC Lobby Day, plus we’re offering a Congressional Briefing.
Join us in April as we launch the Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders Act. The FREED Act is comprehensive eating disorders legislation to promote research, treatment, and education and prevention programs.

Wednesday, April 1

Basic Training
4-6 PM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Parish Hall
3rd & A St SE, Washington DC 20003
Basic Training is required for all first-time advocates. You will learn about public policy, about how Congress makes laws, and you will review what Congress and the government has done – or not done – about eating disorders. If you have participated in a previous EDC Lobby Day, this session is optional.

Meet and Greet Social
7-9 PM
National Criminal Justice Association
720 7th Street, NW, Third Floor
Washington, DC 20001
Join us for an informal “meet and greet” social featuring light snacks and other refreshments. The social takes place immediately after EDC Lobby Day Basic Training. Everyone registered for EDC Lobby Day is welcome.

Thursday, April 2
Message Training
9-11 AM
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Parish Hall
3rd & A St SE, Washington DC 20003
Message Training is REQUIRED of everyone joining us for this EDC Lobby Day. You will review the talking points for the day and will practice your messages with your EDC Lobby Day team members. If you miss this brief session, you will not know your specific points nor your role in the team. A light breakfast will be served prior to Message Training.

EDC Lobby Day
11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
U.S. Capitol Complex

At the U.S. Capitol, you will work in teams meeting with elected officials and their staff. No one will lobby alone. Lobby teams will arrive for each appointment, deliver a packet of materials, and talk about how Congress can help.
To end the day, we will gather for a Congressional Briefing to discuss the FREED Act. Members of Congress and the media will also be invited to the briefing.

Congressional Briefing, The FREED ACT
A Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders
4-5 PM
Rayburn House Office Building Room 2105
U.S. Capitol Complex

The EDC, in cooperation with Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), invites you to attend a Congressional Briefing, The FREED ACT, a Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders. You will learn about a new comprehensive eating disorders bill to address research, treatment, and prevention services.