April Ronay

About April Ronay

I\'m an educator by profession, an advocate by calling, and a mother by heart. For 24 years, I had the privilege of guiding curious second graders in my classroom. But when my own son faced barriers to the urgent treatment he needed, everything changed. I co-founded the California Coalition for PANS/PANDAS Advocacy, a grassroots movement ensuring that children and young adults with complex neuroimmune conditions receive timely, compassionate care. Through collaborative advocacy, our coalition helped advance Assembly Bills AB 907 and AB 2105. In 2024, AB 2105 was signed into law, expanding insurance coverage and advancing health equity in California. Beyond policy, I serve on the board of the National PANDAS Youth Alliance and collaborate with the Inflamed Brain Alliance on global awareness campaigns — including Long Beach becoming the first U.S. city to participate in the annual PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day lighting. Looking ahead, our Coalition will pursue sponsorship for a California Health and Education Advisory Committee (2026) to improve coordination, education, and care access. I am also deeply committed to environmental education. From 2015 to 2022, I coordinated a school community garden, transforming it into a certified Wildlife Habitat, Pollinator Habitat, and Monarch Waystation — a living outdoor classroom that continues to inspire stewardship, wellness, and connection to nature. Whether teaching, gardening, or advocating, my mission remains the same: to shine a light on invisible illnesses and build systems that uplift women, children, and families.

Experience

1. Co-founder at the California Coalition for Pans Pandas Advocacy

   Community Advocate

   Dec 2021 — Present · Long Beach, CA, US

   As Co-founder of CalCoalition, I’ve worked alongside dedicated families, clinicians, and advocates to improve awareness and access to care for children with PANS and PANDAS—serious but treatable post-infectious neuroimmune conditions.Drawing on personal experience and countless hours of research, I contributed to the development of California Assembly Bills AB 907 and AB 2105. These bills aimed to reduce treatment delays and improve insurance coverage for affected families. In 2024, AB 2105 was signed into law and took effect on January 1, 2025, marking an important step toward health equity for this underserved population.Our work continues as we support similar efforts in other states and help establish a statewide Health & Education Advisory Council to improve coordination, education, and support across California. I\'m honored to be part of a community that leads with compassion and a shared commitment to making sure no child is left behind.

Education

• California State University-Dominguez Hills

  M.Ed.

• California State University, Long Beach

  Bachelor of Arts - BA