Government Affairs and Advocacy (GAA) Committee
The Government Affairs Committee of CAL-ACAP reviews proposed bills, amendments and regulations to see how they might affect the mental health of children and adolescents in California. As such, its function lies at the core of CAL-ACAP’s advocacy on behalf of California’s youth.
The committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 8:00–9:00 PM to discuss advocacy initiatives, legislative updates, and strategies to support CALACAP’s mission.
If you are interested in joining the GAA Committee or would like more information, please contact CALACAP at info@calacap.org.
Robert Holloway, MD DFAACAP, is an associate professor of psychiatry and anesthesiology at Keck USC School of Medicine, working at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in psychiatry and chronic pain management. He has always been drawn to populations that face significant hardship, including the LGBTQ+ population, homeless youth, and migrant communities. In addition to his professional roles, he volunteers advocating for legislative changes in how healthcare is provided both in California and nationally. Past leadership roles include President of Southern California Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and President of California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Alonso Cardenas, MD, is a psychiatrist based in San Diego, CA, specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. He completed his medical education and psychiatry residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, finishing in 2014. Dr. Cardenas currently works at Golden Valley Health Centers, an FQHS in a rural area through Iris Telehealth focusing on conditions such as autism, ADHD, psycho-pharmacology, neuro-psychiatry, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression and bipolar disorders. His research includes publications on neuropsychological evaluations for children with limited English proficiency and depression prevention interventions for adolescents, which have garnered multiple citations. Dr. Cardenas is also involved in San Diego Academy of Child and Adolescent psychiatry currently president elect as well as California Academy of child and adolescent psychiatry Government Affairs and Advocacy committee Co Chair.
Committee Members 2026
President: Ijeoma Ijeaku, MD MPH DFAPA
President-Elect: Rishi Parikh, MD
Immediate Past President: Teresa Frausto, MD
Lobbyist: Paul Yoder
Lobbyist: Lizzie Guansona
Marcia Mallorca, MD, CCROCAP
Alejandra Postlethwaite, MD, SDROCAP
Brent Fletcher, MD, SDROCAP
William Arroyo, MD, SCROCAP
Veronica Searles Quick, MD, NCROCAP
Rep: Roger Wu, MD, NCROCAP
Danielle Shaw, MD
Andrew Kinoshita, MD
Franco Pillsbury, MD
ADVOCACY & LEGISLATIVE
Get the latest updates on legislation, public policy, and advocacy, as it relates to the interests of our member.