Legislative Exchange Series

CSG West Legislative Exchange on Women’s Health

November 13, 2024

Currently, 75 million U.S. women are in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause—with 6,000 more women reaching menopause each day. Yet, menopause research has long been underinvested and overlooked. Only 30 percent of U.S. residency programs offer a formal menopause curriculum, and 80 percent of OB/GYN residents report being ill-prepared to discuss menopause.

Moderated by Nevada Senator Rochelle Nguyen, this Legislative Exchange explored key research and legislation surrounding menopause and perimenopause. California Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, author of AB 2467 (Health Care Coverage for Menopause), joined Genentech Senior Benefits Director, Melinda Morimoto, to share insights on the topic.

Practical Examples of Whole of State Cybersecurity Approaches from Four States Across the US

Building a robust cybersecurity strategy and support system across state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTTs) governments is a tall order. One of the keys to ensuring its success and sustainability is by using a Whole of State foundation. In this special event, we’ll feature four states with unique approaches to creating a Whole of State cybersecurity program, and will share best practices from each with practical steps for adoption – focusing on stakeholder engagement. Specifically, we will focus on how legislative leaders can support the effective implementation to ensure a stronger cybersecurity environment for the residents, local businesses and governments that you represent.

State Strategies for Supporting Workers’ Mental Health

in collaboration with the State Exchange on Employment & Disability (SEED),CSG West hosts this Legislative Exchange featuring state legislators who have championed policies to support workers’ mental health. The discussion also includes insights from the CSG Center for Innovation, highlighting key findings from their report, Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Workers Throughout and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: State Responses.

Making Cents of New Cyber Funding

Carlos Kizzee, Vice President of Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) Member Engagement, and Mattie Gullixson, National Cybersecurity Center (NCC) Program Director, will share their feedback on how to improve the reach of your state’s cybersecurity resources through a “Whole of State Lens.” They provide a brief overview of the funding ahead, and then discuss potential challenges and opportunities to make the funding work for your state, featuring examples of success stories across the U.S.

Refugees’ Economic Empowerment in the United States

In collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), this Legislative Exchange builds upon the last two topics – Refugee Resettlement 101 and Cultural Orientation for Resettled Refugees – pivoting to refugees rebuilding their lives here in the United States. IRC staff shared information about IRC programming focused on economic empowerment and how it has expanded as state investments in workforce development have evolved. Discussion also addressed how refugees with industry specific professional skills can work to recover their careers here in the U.S. and how states can support those efforts.

Cultural Orientation in Refugee Resettlement Process

In May 2019, the Migration Policy Institute published a report titled, Preparing for the Unknown: Designing Effective Predeparture Orientation for Resettling Refugees, which explained the intended outcomes of predeparture orientation programs, or cultural orientation. Refugees planning for resettlement in the United States receive Cultural Orientation before traveling and after their arrival to support their transition. Covering a wide range of topics, this training provides vital knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to adopt to a new life and achieve self-sufficiency.

Hosted on July 30, 2021, this session provided an in depth overview of the Cultural Orientation process, including the content covered, as well as the roles of volunteers and community partners in the implementation. The session was facilitated by the Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE), a technical assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), and administered by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). CORE’s work focuses on connecting and supporting refugee resettlement staff globally to deliver effective Cultural Orientation.

Refugee Resettlement 101 Legislative Exchange

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, there are 65.3 million forcibly displaced people around the world. The current refugee population is the highest it has been since World War II. Violence, poverty, and climate change are some of the driving forces behind why refugees leave their home country. Since 2001, June 20 marks World Refugee Day- the day that the United Nations and more than 100 countries commemorate the obstacles this population face while also celebrating their courage and strength.

The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disease to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. With locations in 15 U.S. states and over 20 U.S. cities, the IRC provides direct resettlement services to newly arrived refugees.

This Legislative Exchange took place Friday, June 25, 2021 reviewing the nuts and bolts of the refugee resettlement program. Key topics included: how one qualifies for refugee status; the process of resettlement abroad and, local resettlement efforts shared by the IRC Boise Executive Director.