Prevent Child Abuse America’s (PCA America) Government Affairs Initiative (GAI) launched in 2019 as an effort to increase the public policy and government affairs capacity of PCA America chapters. The initiative provides public policy support through direct technical assistance, guidance, and consultation, with the goal of growing internal capacity and expanding PCA chapter presence at the state and federal levels. To date, more than half of the state chapters have engaged in the GAI through technical assistance, engaging in the policy affinity group, and utilizing shared resources. In 2025, this work has continued to grow through providing training and technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of our nationwide network in translating public health information towards the prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including child abuse and neglect. In this presentation, two state chapters currently engaged in the GAI, Alaska and Illinois, will share their efforts to advance policies that strengthen communities, prevent ACEs, and support children and families in their states. PCA Alaska has been part of the GAI cohort for the past year, focusing on Paid Family Leave with an emphasis on enhancing legislators' knowledge. GAI has been instrumental in supporting PCA Alaska in developing legislative materials and methodology in creating safe space for legislators to gain a better understanding of PFL and how it supports Alaskan families. Our long-range goal is to get PFL passed in the next couple of years. PCA Illinois has worked with the GAI for the past three years. In that time, PCA Illinois has been able to develop a Legislative Policy Priority Agenda and used support from the GAI to launch a new advocacy campaign, “Investing in Prevention: Building a Better Future for Children” in Illinois. This campaign aims to build meaningful partnerships with elected officials, business leaders, and community organizations, and the campaign focuses on using primary prevention policies to reduce child abuse and neglect, helping to ensure a brighter, healthier future for Illinois’ children.