In 2010, I began a new chapter in my professional life with the establishment of Kuehl Consulting. In order to use the breadth of experience gained in my fourteen years in the California Legislature, I offer consultation to a variety of local government and educational entities. Santa Monica College: In January of 2010, I signed on as the Founding Director of the new and innovative Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute. As director, I design programs geared toward community education to foster "critical thinking for voters" on local government issues, and, with Associate Director, Professor Richard Tahvaldaran, works with the administration and faculty to establish programs in the academic calendar. This year, the Institute was approved to offer both an AA degree and a Certificate in Public Policy for students at the College. Please see the separate page for the Institute by activating the "Public Policy Institute" button on the left. City of West Hollywood: In 2010, as the City of West Hollywood celebrated its 25th anniversary, I served as co-producer and host of eight cable television shows focused on that unique city and its contributions to the state and to the nation. The shows featured West Hollywood City Councilmembers as co-hosts, and presented guests important to the founding of the city, the Russian community, the business community, the gay community, the women's community, HIV/AIDS activism, and others emphasizing the progressive nature of the City. 2011 is also the twentieth year I have served as the host of the monthly national cable show, Get Used To It, on which I interview guests on LGBT issues and lead a discussion among them. For more information on Get Used To It please go to http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=787 Williams Institute at UCLA: The Williams Institute is a national institute located at the UCLA Law School and focusing on legal issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity. I am currently working with new Policy Director, Jenny Pizer and E.D. Brad Sears on developing model state codes and accompanying papers on the best forms for state statutes on marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. In 2010, Professor Stuart Biegel and I co-authored a white paper, which we presented to the National Education Association in Washington, D.C., on making schools safe for LGBTQ youth and their allies. The paper addresses issues of bullying, harassment, violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. My particular piece of the paper was the development of a Model State Code which states can adopt or modify to protect their students. To view and/or download the paper, please go to http://www.promoteprevent.org/resources/safe-school-addressing-school-environment-and-lgbt-safety-through-policy-and-legislation Planned Parenthood of California: Planned Parenthood of California is engaged in new legislation amending state codes on the provision of non-surgical abortions, as well as working out the application of various pieces of the new federal health plan to the state of California and, most especially, its impact on women's health. They also work on issues of access and availability. I have agreed to work with them in drafting the new legislation, as well as working with the author, Senator Chris Kehoe, and preparing various supporting documents. Institute for Elected Women: California: Following the November, 2010, election, former Assemblymember Patty Berg and I presented a series of sessions for new women members of the California Legislature to help them navigate the choppy waters faced by new members of the Assembly. The trainings began with a two day orientation in November and continued with two full days in January and continuing mentoring in California over the next two years. Faculty for the Institute, as well as all mentors, are women who are former or current members of the California Assembly or Senate. In June, former Assemblymember Berg and I met with women who are members, or former members, of the Ohio Legislature, including the only woman to serve as Speaker of the House and the woman who was Ohio's recent Attorney General, to discuss the possibility of replicating the Institute in Ohio, which is also a term-limited state. In August, I traveled to San Antonio for the NCSL conference and presented the concept of the Institute to the members of the Executive Board for the NCSL Women's Network. We have also sent letters to the women's caucuses in those states that have them, offering the program. Women's PAC: I am serving as co-chair of the Board of a new Women's Political Action Committee focused on supporting Democratic women candidates for statewide and state office. I am also offering technical assistance and time to other public entities, as asked, and am also available to speak, as requested. If you have any questions about my work or availability, please feel free to email me at kuehl.website@gmail.com. |
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Kuehl Consulting |