Advocacy

Advocating for Women, Children, and Families Across California

The Junior League of Sacramento & CalSPAC

The Junior League of Sacramento (JLS) is proud to be an active member of the California State Public Affairs Committee (CalSPAC)—a nonpartisan coalition of Junior Leagues across California that advocates for legislation and public policy benefiting women, children, and families.

Since its founding in 1970, CalSPAC has served as the collective voice of over 10,000 women volunteers from Junior Leagues throughout the state. Together, we research, support, and advocate for legislation that aligns with our shared mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities.

Our Advocacy Focus Areas

Through CalSPAC, the Junior League of Sacramento has championed legislation and policy in the following areas:

  • Health: CalSPAC supports policies and initiatives that improve access to quality health care and prevention programs aimed at the improvement of mental and physical health in communities around California.
  • Education: CalSPAC is committed to the boundless potential of California’s youth and works to ensure their access to educational opportunities that are developmentally appropriate, that increase achievement, and lead to workplace marketability.
  • Family Support: CalSPAC believes that there is a critical need for attention to the needs of all California families and advances programs and policies that promote their physical and emotional engagement and well-being.
  • Violence Prevention: CalSPAC seeks to increase awareness of the impact of violence in California communities and champions policies that strive to decrease violence through prevention, intervention, and education.
  • Anti-Human Trafficking: CalSPAC is committed to ending human trafficking in all its forms. CalSPAC supports policies and programs that stop human trafficking, advocate for victims, and educate the community at large.

How We Advocate

JLS members participate in advocacy through:

  • Legislative Education & Training: Members receive training on how to engage with policymakers, understand legislation, and advocate effectively.
  • Annual CalSPAC Conference: Delegates from JLS attend statewide meetings to collaborate with other Leagues, set legislative priorities, and meet with lawmakers.
  • Local Legislative Visits: JLS members meet with elected officials in the Sacramento region to discuss key issues and share community impact stories.
  • Public Awareness Campaigns: We amplify our advocacy through events like “Bubbles & Ballots”, voter education drives, and social media campaigns.

Recent Impact

Through CalSPAC, the Junior League of Sacramento has supported or helped pass legislation that:

  • Working to expand access to CalFresh benefits for low-income families (SB 761)
  • Requiring employers to provide up to five days of job-protect reproductive loss leave following a miscarriage, unsuccessful assisted reproduction, failed adoption, failed surrogacy, or still birth. (SB 848) 
  • Strengthened protections for foster youth and survivors of abuse
  • Increased funding for early childhood education and mental health services
  • Bicycle helmet laws for children

Get Involved

Advocacy is for everyone. Whether you’re new to public policy or a seasoned advocate, JLS provides the tools and training to make your voice heard.