Government Relations

Local Government

Sleepy Hollow Relocation Campaign (Open Door Family Medical Centers)

Used grassroots campaign tactics to build support for Open Door’s relocation, in response to pushback from local residents.

• Canvassed town and collected 800 petition signatures

• Hosted Q&A with Open Door’s CEO at home of neighborhood resident

• Invited neighborhood residents on site tour

• Encouraged supporters to attend Planning Board meetings

• Published op-ed on town’s Patch.com webpage

Campaign efforts garnered local press:

Fifteen-year-old Jeffrey Guzmán, a patient and a volunteer at the center, felt strongly enough about the place that he asked CEO Lindsay Farrell if he could write about their struggle. She gave him the go-ahead and he posted a Patch opinion piece so much beyond his years that some thought it must have come from their lawyer. Now, this media savvy teen, has taken his campaign to Facebook, creating a page in support of the move.

State Government

Seizure Safe Schools Act, Virginia (Epilepsy Foundation of America)

Successfully campaigned to pass Seizure Safe Schools Act, which mandates seizure recognition and first aid training for school personnel in Virginia.

Statement delivered before Virginia General Assembly.

Press release published in six Virginia newspapers.

Backgrounder sent to all school districts in Virginia.

Federal Government

Organized meetings between eight federally elected officials from Virginia—including both U.S. Senators—and epilepsy activists to request support of various Epilepsy Foundation policy positions.