Tennessee Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee (TAPA)

TAPA MISSION: The Junior Leagues of Tennessee Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee is a state level coalition formed and owned by the Junior Leagues of Tennessee to facilitate networking, coordinate information and research, promote awareness, and advocate on issues of shared interest.

TAPA PRIORITIES: The priorities are areas of concentration that direct resources (money, time, and people) to achieve the mission. TAPA's priorities shall be:

* To train and assist Member Leagues in their advocacy and public awareness programs;

* To identify social issues of shared interest that impact the projects and activities of Member Leagues and to develop and coordinate respective advocacy and public awareness programs; and

* To monitor pending legislation, disseminate information to Member Leagues, and collectively advocate for or against legislation that affects affirmed social issues.

TAPA ISSUE AREAS AND POSITION STATEMENTS:

WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES
The Junior Leagues of Tennessee Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee is committed to ensuring that all women, children, and their families have access to the opportunities and services essential for optimal physical, mental, emotional, and social growth and well being by support programs and legislation designed to meet these objectives.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Junior Leagues of Tennessee Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee is committed to ensuring that all women, children, and their families have access to an environment free from physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse and neglect by supporting programs and legislation designed to assist and protect the victims.

CHILD CARE
The Junior Leagues of Tennessee Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee is committed to improving the quality of and increasing the accessibility of affordable child care for all women and their families by supporting programs and legislation designed to meet these objectives.

BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
The Junior Leagues of Tennessee Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee is committed to supporting efforts to reduce the morality rates of breast and cervical cancer through health education programs and strategies which educate women on early detection methods, increase access to appropriate health care services, reduce the social and financial barriers to screening for women of all ages, and encourage funding for research into the causes and cures of this disease.

EDUCATION
The Junior League of Tennessee Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee is committed to improving the quality of education in all Tennessee schools by supporting programs and legislation designed to meet these objectives.