Taking it to the States: Hill Day at Home

If you have always wanted to participate in Capitol Hill Day but couldn't make the trip to Washington, D.C., here is your chance to reach your federal congressional delegation with messages about psoriasis!

Beginning in 2010, Capitol Hill Day will alternate with Hill Day at Home—a grassroots effort to connect with senators and representatives in their home offices during congressional recesses in February and March.

For six years, Capitol Hill Day has brought individual and families to D.C. to tell their members of Congress how psoriasis has impacted their lives. Capitol Hill Day has been a successful part of the National Psoriasis Foundation's advocacy efforts. Since the first Capitol Hill Day in 2003, federal spending on psoriasis has increased by more than 60 percent; H.R. 930/S.571 the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act was introduced into Congress and gained more than 100 co-sponsors from the House and Senate, and awareness of psoriasis has increased.

Each two-year Congress is made up of a first and second session, each lasting one year. During the first session, policymakers spend much of their time in Washington D.C. working on legislation. The second session of each Congress is an election year, and members typically spend more time at home in their districts.

Beginning in 2011, Capitol Hill Day will take place during the first session of each new Congress, to take advantage of the policy-driven environment. In the second session of each Congress, such as next year in 2010, Capitol Hill Day will be transformed into a community-based grassroots event called Hill Day at Home.

Hill Day at Home will be scheduled during different two congressional recesses, when your Senators and Representatives return to their home states.

• President's Day Recess: February 15-19, 2010 (dates tentative)
• Early Spring Recess: March 29-April 9 2010 (dates tentative)

During Hill Day at Home, you can tell your legislators and their staff what it's like living with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis and why the passage of H.R. 930/S.571 the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act is so important.

Regional teams made up of volunteers just like you will meet with their members of Congress. An experienced volunteer advocate will lead each regional team. The National Psoriasis Foundation's advocacy team will provide you with everything you need to be successful, including instructions for how to set up a local meeting, materials to bring with you, talking points, tips for meetings, etc. Foundation staff will be available to work with you every step of the way.

Please check this page again soon for updates on details for 2010 Hill Day at Home.

Capitol Hill Day 2011 will be combined with the Volunteer Leadership Conference and held in Washington, D.C. in late spring 2011 (exact dates to be determined). Stay tuned.