Advocacy

Using advocacy, training, and education tools, The Connecticut Women's Consortium strives towards a behavioral health system that responds to the needs of marginalized communities, and the systems and organizations that affect them. With emphasis on holistic, trauma-informed, gender-responsive care, The Consortium works collaboratively with nonprofits, state departments, and direct service providers to promote environments that are safe, trustworthy, collaborative, and empowering. Our advocacy work involves community relations, policy advocacy, and initiative development.

Legislative Agenda

We actively engage in legislative advocacy by collaborating with state departments, building relationships with key policymakers, and providing testimony at public hearings to advance evidence-based best practices in behavioral health.

Legislative priorities:

Creating resilient communities
Advancing racial and social justice
Justice reform
LGBTQIA+ rights
Gender equity
Comprehensive, trauma-responsive substance use and mental health services
Advancing equity for nonprofit employees

Bills We Support in Session Year 2025

H.B. 5804: An Act Concerning Funding for Suicide Prevention
H.B. 5813: An Act Concerning Funding for Survivors of Homicide
H.B. 5879: An Act Concerning a Model Curriculum for Prevention of Opioid Use and Related Disorders
H.B. 6072: An Act Making the Location of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Centers and Associated Facilities Confidential Under the Freedom of Information Act
H.B. 6078: An Act Concerning the Availability of Emergency Contraception on the Campuses of Institutions of Higher Education
H.B. 6086: An Act Concerning Medicaid Coverage for Peer Support Services for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder Treatment
H.B. 6148: An Act Allowing Nonprofits to Participate in Association Health Plans
H.B. 6163: An Act Concerning the Establishment of a Case-Tracking System for Divorce Proceedings Involving Domestic Violence
H.B. 6596: An Act Concerning the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation
S.B. 1008: An Act Concerning Health Insurance Coverage for Nonprofits Under the State Employee Health Plan
S.B. 1025: An Act Concerning Discrimination in the Provision of Health Care Services
S.B. 1070: An Act Prohibiting Shock Therapy Treatment (forced shock therapy)
S.B. 1074: An Act Eliminating Licensing Fees for Social Workers
S.B. 977: An Act Protecting Participants in Title IX Proceedings at Institutions of Higher Education
S.B. 740, An Act Establishing a Refundable Child Tax Credit & H.B. 5986, An Act Establishing a Refundable Child Tax Credit Against the Personal Income Tax

Committee Participation & State Agency Partnerships

We're proud to have a seat at the table in shaping policies and initiatives that matter! Our team actively contributes to these local and statewide committees and workgroups, driving meaningful change and connection and advocating for a stronger, more inclusive Connecticut. We are members of the Governor's Council on Women and Girls, the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services CT Women and Opioids Workgroup, the Connecticut Reproductive Justice Alliance, the CT Maternal and Child Health Coalition, the CT Nonprofit Alliance, and more.

We also support state agencies by strengthening programs, providing training, and organizing conferences to enhance their initiatives. Key partners include the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, the Connecticut Department of Social Services, and the Connecticut Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Community Impact

Accessible Learning For All

We are committed to making high-quality education accessible to our community through free and low-cost learning initiatives. Our events provide valuable knowledge, hands-on activities, and opportunities for connection.

In 2024, our International Women’s Day event: Celebrating Empowered Healthcare Decisions focused on equipping women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about their health.

In 2025, our International Women’s Day event featured insightful discussions on women’s legislative issues with State Representative Jillian Gilchrest and expert guidance on boundary setting from Jen Fournier, Esq. Attendees also engaged in self-preservation activities like yoga, mindfulness, vision boarding, and journaling, alongside meaningful networking opportunities.

Looking ahead, we are excited to host Wellness in Bloom: A Celebration of Health & Nutrition in 2025, an event dedicated to empowering our community with tools for better nutrition and overall well-being. Through these initiatives, we continue to foster learning, self-care, and community connection.

Building a Stronger Community

With the support of our participants and staff, we come together to make a meaningful impact in our community.

Through donation drives, we provide local students in need with essential school supplies, supply personal care products to women’s shelters, and contribute regularly to our local food bank. Additionally, whenever possible, we partner with Haven’s Harvest to ensure excess food from our events is redistributed rather than wasted, helping to nourish our community.

We also participate in seasonal giving efforts, such as Adopt-a-Family for the holidays and Thanksgiving basket donations.