Connecticut Dietetic Association

The goal of the Public Policy Panel (PPP) is to provide a bridge from members to ADA's legislative and public policy leaders. Members of the PPP network and communicate with legislators at the state and national level, as well as collaborating with regulatory agencies and other organizations. Working together we identify opportunities for CT Dietetic Association to shape public policy, drawing on ADA stances and resources.

Membership includes:

• Public Policy Coordinator-facilitates process and tracks national issues (Teresa Martin Dotson)

• State Policy Representative (SPR)- tracks state legislative and regulatory issues of importance to RDs/DTRs (Kathy LaBella)

• State Regulatory Specialist (SRS)

We need members with the following skills and expertise related to our goal areas:

• Knowledge of public health opportunities, state and local committees, boards, task forces, disaster response planners, local Boards of Health; and other places where nutrition and RD/DTRs should be included.

• Wellness, disease management, food safety and other health initiatives.

• PR/communications

• Academic settings

The Public policy panel met on September 11, 2009 and drafted the following goals which will be presented to the CDA board at it's first meeting for this year September 29, 2009.

CT Dietetic Association Public Policy Panel 2009-2010 goals
Update for CDA Spring meeting 5/5/2010

1. Increase the Grassroots Network (GN) and build the Public Policy Panel (PPP)

A. Federal

1. CDA members have been sorted into the 5 Federal districts (including email contact lists), Attendees at CDA Fall meeting had district # printed on badges and were encouraged to sign letters to support Federal healthcare - 218 were sent and live demo of Grassroots manager
2. Recruit members by Federal districts to be the contact person for the district
   1st District- John Larson
   2nd district- Rosa DeLauro
   3rd district- Joe Courtney
   4th district- Jim Himes
   5th district-Chris Murphy

B. State level

1. CDA Members with legislators on the Public Health committee identified and requested to contact and introduce themselves as a CDA member and Nutrition “expert”. The CT session ended 5/4/2010, so now is the time to build contacts for next year.
2. Legislators on the CT public health committee were sent NNM message and CDA contact information. Please do follow up with your legislator on these messages.
3. SPR has participated in local and state legislative activities and fundraising, made c onnections with state senators, representatives, comptroller, and attorney general.
4. Continue to work with CT Dept of Public Health and partners below.
5. Need to recruit a “State Regulatory Specialist” for the CDA public policy pa

C. Recruit by area of practice to be the contact person for committees, issues, agencies

If you or someone you know is interested in sharing their expertise or has a working relationship with a specific agency or committee at the federal or state level please contact either Teresa or Kathy (contact information below). We encourage all of you to continue to build relationships and share your expertise both within CDA and at the local, state and federal level.

D. Provide education on public policy skills

1. CT Legislative Day held Thursday, February 11, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Capitol.
   Total member attendance 37
   Legislators- 6 pre-registered, 4 attended
2. PPW (Public Policy Workshop) Kick-off party/webinar- 5 host sites- Total 44
3. Teresa Dotson, PPC and Kathy LaBella, SPR will be attending the ADA sponsored Advocacy Training Workshop in Washington DC, May 16-18

E. Continue partnerships with other organizations with similar goals

We have established working relationships with: Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (CT chapter), CT State Dept of Education (School health council and school wellness issues), CT State Medical Society (disparities and grants), CT Cancer Partnership Prevention Committee, Universal Healthcare Foundation of CT, and Sustinet BOD.

2. Respond to public policy issues

A. Health care reform efforts- Federal Healthcare reform passed, all CT legislative members voted in favor of the legislation.

Reimbursement- Goal to achieve consistency in recognizing the RD and MNT among all insurers in CT

B. Certification vs. Licensure

Juliana Smith from ADA will host discussion of Licensure after the Spring CDA (5/5) meeting, all interested in learning more about the issue should attend. This meeting will help determine the level of commitment to pursuing this issue.

C. Obesity -- RD on the task force established by Sustinet as above, work with PFCD

CDA submitted comments (3/26) to the Federal Task Force on Childhood Obesity created by President Obama, USDA, Education, Health/Human Services. Input will be compiled to compliment the efforts of First Lady Michelle Obama to fight childhood obesity. See information from Delegate's report as well.

D. Child/School Nutrition

1. The 10 cents/meal reimbursement for schools "Healthy Food Certified" remained unchanged in budget here in CT.
2. Federal legislative agenda- Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act- grassroots efforts underway.

E. Menu labeling – Was included in Federal healthcare reform

F . Build relationships with legislators

1. CDA nominated Rosa DeLauro in December 2009 for the "American Dietetic Association Political Action Committee 2010 Public Policy Leadership Award (PPLA)". She was not selected for this award, however CDA will recognize her with the CDA “Distinguished Legislator Award” 2010.
2. ADAPAC support for candidates:

CDA members attended an event for Rosa DeLauro with ADAPAC support. We encourage other members to attend events, if you need funding contact Teresa.

Teresa Martin Dotson, CDA Public Policy Coordinator (PPC), email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text28052 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kathy LaBella, CDA State Policy Representative (SPR), email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Food Allergy Awareness Key to Successful Management in Schools

Food allergy is a growing safety concern across the United States and creates challenges for all educators and parents in our nation's schools. As the State of Connecticut begins another school year, it is important to point out that public awareness about the seriousness of food allergies is growing. Connecticut is a national leader in developing food allergy management plans and State legislation to promote the safety and well-being of children with severe food allergy. By working collaboratively, with the school staff, other parents, students, and family physicians, parents of children with food allergy can promote a safe and successful school experience for every child.

In 2006, the Connecticut State Department of Education in conjunction with the State Department of Public Health has developed Guidelines for Managing Life-Threatening Food Allergies in Connecticut Schools to assist Connecticut schools in effectively managing the health and safety needs of children with life-threatening food allergies. Connecticut law requires each public school district to "implement a plan based on the guidelines for the management of students with life-threatening food allergies." In 2009, Governor Rell signed into law legislation to further promote the safety of children with severe food allergy in Connecticut. The legislation requires every Connecticut public school district to make its plan available on every School Board of Education's or school's Web site or publicly available if no web sites exist, and it must provide annual notice of the plan's implementation to the State Department of Education, as well as to parents and guardians.

The following are key links regarding the issues:

CT Guidelines: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/deps/student/health/Food_Allergies.pdf

CT Act 09-155: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/ACT/PA/2009PA-00155-R00SB-00755-PA.htm

The Food Allergy Initiative: http://www.faiusa.org