Recent efforts have been made by the Youth Providers Association to become legislatively independent from third party representation. As part of this investment, YPA Executive Director, Mariah Hurst, recently travelled to Washington D.C. where she completed course work from the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University in Advanced Legislative Process as well as in Advanced Budget and Appropriations. This coursework has been highly valuable to understanding a complex system both Federally and locally. This will help the YPA become a better advocate for itself and its members.