In support of the Academy's efforts to advocate for the health and well-being of all children, the Department of Community, Chapter and State Affairs works to foster pediatrician involvement in their communities, to develop and sustain strong chapter and district organizations, and to forge partnerships with state government agencies and officials. The programs, services, and technical assistance needed to achieve this work are coordinated by the Division of Community-based Initiatives, the Division of Chapter and District Relations, and the Division of State Government Affairs.

The Division of Community-based Initiatives provides support to pediatricians involved in the development and implementation of community-based programs that improve access to, and the quality of, health care for children and their families. Through the provision of information, tools, and support, the division works to enhance pediatricians' ability to be agents of change on behalf of children in their communities. Division staff provides technical assistance on developing and sustaining community-based child health projects. Three national programs are managed by the division including: the Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) program, the Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children program, and the Community Pediatrics Training Initiative (CPTI). The division also houses the Council on Community Pediatrics and its four associated Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

The Division of Chapter and District Relations assures a sound working partnership between the national office and AAP chapters and districts. The division provides administrative and consultative services to the 66 AAP chapters regarding chapter development and management. The Annual Leadership Forum, District Meetings, and the Chapter Executive Directors' conference are managed by the division. The division provides staffing support for the District Vice Chairpersons Committee, the Chapter Forum Management Committee and the Healthy People 2010 Chapter Grant program and other grant opportunities for chapters. The chapter recognition awards program is also administered by the division.

The Division of State Government Affairs offers technical assistance to AAP chapters seeking to influence state government policy. The division tracks state legislative trends, provides educational and networking opportunities through the biennial Chapter Advocacy Summit and prepares resources for chapters to promote pediatric public policy. The division also staffs the Committee on State Government Affairs. Some of the current issues under consideration by the states include reform of children's health insurance programs (Medicaid and SCHIP), retail based clinic regulation, pediatric workforce, child obesity reduction and prevention, state vaccine policy, Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI), school health, child injury prevention issues, and foster care and adoption issues.