Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Mission

Our Vision: We promote health and wellness for all children, adolescents, and families and advance equitable, evidence-based, collaborative approaches to pediatric care.

Our Mission: We champion the health and well-being of children, adolescents, and families through advocacy, education, and partnership.

Description

You can count on us
As a statewide nonprofit, the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (WCAAP) works with our community to improve pediatric care and to ensure state policies advance the health of Washington children, adolescents, and families. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated inequities that profoundly affect the families we serve, but WCAAP's expertise, partnerships, and commitment to results allow us to impact child health each day and year after year.

WCAAP responds to community needs 

• As child and adolescent vaccine rates plummeted during the pandemic, we collaborate with partners to connect with hundreds of thousands of Washington families to help kids catch up on crucial vaccines. 
• We coach pediatric clinics across the state to achieve significant increases in child and adolescent vaccination rates. 
• We are listening to and encouraging families to vaccinate against preventable diseases - especially families of color and other communities who lack access or face other barriers - providing families with reliable information and support.
• WCAAP works closely with public health and state leaders to improve child health and we are working with school districts to improve vaccine confidence. 
• We educate state decision-makers about the behavioral health crisis children and youth have suffered and inform efforts to address this crisis. Whether supporting clinics directly or securing state funding for evidence-based programs, we know that behavioral health is the #1 concern of many families and providers - and we're working hard to develop innovative solutions. 

WCAAP fights for strong families

• Family well-being in children's earliest years affects lifelong health. Through our First Year Families initiative, we are combatting health inequities, innovating on clinic front lines to support families, and aligning state leaders in transforming health care to better address social determinants of health.
• State policies can have a deep impact on family financial well-being. WCAAP voices helped to pass a Working Families Tax Credit, diaper subsidy for families in need, Paid Family and Medical Leave, and expanded free lunch programs. 
• As our society reckons with racism that has adversely impacted children and families for centuries, WCAAP has created tools and quarterly education to help health care providers work to become antiracist and deliver equitable care.

Our impact

Our work is not done 

Ensuring children access to the highest quality pediatric care and advancing their health and well-being is an ongoing journey. WCAAP is the right organization to help our state improve child health in equitable, lasting ways.

Recognition

We are honored by the support of many individual donors and the following organizations: American Academy of Pediatrics, Americas Foundation, Amerigroup, Best Starts for Kids, BestStart Washington, Cambia Health Foundation, Community Health Plan of Washington, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, Moccasin Lake Foundation, Molina Healthcare, Nesholm Family Foundation, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, Seattle Children's Hospital, Silicon Valley Foundation, Washington State Department of Health

We are grateful for the dedication and support of our Board of Trustees: