Connecticut athletic trainers plan Capitol lobbying day, statewide outreach and grants push to recruit and retain staff

Members of the Connecticut Athletic Trainers Association (CATA) and allied stakeholders at a task‑force meeting this month set a lobbying day at the State Capitol for Wednesday, March 26, and discussed plans for statewide outreach, mentorship programs and potential grant funding to recruit and retain athletic trainers.

The meeting produced concrete next steps, including a Hit‑the‑Hill event next Wednesday at the State Capitol Legislative Office Building, Atrium 2, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a CATA‑led survey of athletic trainers and athletic directors, and an effort to compile more complete lists of team physicians and who signs standing orders at local schools.

The work is aimed at addressing shortages and retention challenges in secondary‑school and emerging settings by educating stakeholders, expanding mentorship and creating funding streams to support hiring and training.

CATA said it has prepared testimony templates and a one‑page resource with a QR code that links to a preliminary task‑force report and a Google form so volunteers and witnesses can indicate…