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practice applicationsPUBLIC POLICY NEWS

State Regulatory Specialist: A New Addition to Your

Affiliate Public Policy Panel

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he goal of the American DieteticAssociation’s (ADA’s) affiliatepublic policy panels is to stren-

then the grassroots structure ofDA to include a more comprehen-ive approach to shaping nutritionublic policy. The panels develop atrong public policy agenda to in-rease grassroots influence in statenitiatives impacting the registe-ed dietitian (RD). The public pol-cy panel, developed in 2006 by theegislative and Public Policy Com-ittee Grassroots Task Force, con-

ists of several volunteer positionshat work collaboratively with the af-liate president and leadership toelp advance important federal andtate legislative and policy issues.The Legislative and Public Policyommittee (LPPC) convened a Grass-

oots Task Force last fall to considerdditional approaches that ADA andhe affiliates could take to enhancehe effectiveness of the public policyanels in achieving nutrition policyoals. The LPPC sought new ways tonhance the work of the public policyanels to facilitate members workingogether to promote sound food, nutri-ion, and health policies at federal,tate, and local levels. The creation ofhe public policy panels was a vitaltep that brought nutrition policy is-ues to the affiliate level. The LPPCants to have a structure within theublic policy panel for targeting reg-latory and agency issues, realizinghat states will begin to implementealth care reform measures. “It isrucial at this time that affiliates beepresented and connected to theirtate legislators and legislative is-ues,” states Sister Ladonna Woerde-an, MS, RD, LD, CDE, chair of the

This article was written byJuliana Smith, MEd, director ofState Government Relations inADA’s Washington, DC office.

tdoi: 10.1016/j.jada.2010.06.016

156 Journal of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATI

PPC. As a result, the LPPC 2010rassroots Task Force proposed ex-anding the public policy panels tonclude a new leadership role to fullyddress the complex issues faced byach affiliate—the State Regulatorypecialist (SRS). The Figure showshe positions currently on the publicolicy panel.

TATE REGULATORY SPECIALISThe SRS will work closely with thetate Policy Representative and theublic policy panel on state regula-ory initiatives. Together they will fo-us their efforts towards reaching theffiliate’s public policy goals. The SRSill coordinate and work collabora-

ively as a member of the public policyanel and with ADA’s Washington,C, office. ADA will provide training

or the SRS along with the otherembers of the public policy panel.Specifically, the SRS will be respon-

ible for:

tracking regulations managed withinthe state agencies, under the gover-nor’s jurisdiction;initiating meetings with stateagency officials promoting the ser-vices of the RD in state regulatoryand programmatic initiatives;ensuring that the affiliate’s stateagency and regulatory work is con-sistent with three priority goals es-tablished annually by each affili-ate’s public policy panel; andidentifying other decision-makerswithin state agencies whose workimpacts the affiliate’s goals, partic-ularly those that relate to access toRDs, dietetic technicians, regis-tered (DTRs), and nutrition ser-vices and programs.

RS–THE RIGHT ROLE FOR NOWith the passage of health reform

egislation, states are certain to be

he center of action for years to come. l

ON © 2010

he need for strategic and coordi-ated work efforts in state agenciesill undoubtedly increase as health

are reform unwinds and state initia-ives are realized. ADA recognizes theeed to position members in key ar-as to strategically develop the rela-ionships that will ensure continuouseadership with regard to regulatorypportunities. In addition, there con-inues to be a need for increased andontinuous monitoring of current leg-slative/regulatory initiatives due tohe competitive environment contigu-us to dietetics licensure. Trackinghe regulatory issues and being a partf state agency committees and taskorces are important steps to ensureDs participate in policy develop-ent in the early stages.Now, more than ever, food and nu-

rition issues are capturing the atten-ion of state legislators. With preven-ion being the critical link that nowonnects nutrition to the dialogue, theD who provides expertise in nutri-

ion must be at the center of that di-logue. RDs and DTRs are beingsked for input to develop solutionsor multifarious health and socialroblems. At the state agency level,his dialogue can begin with defininghe status of regulatory initiativesurrounding nutrition access and ser-ices.

TATE REGULATIONSew state regulations are continuallyrafted and can significantly impacthe dietetics profession. It is impor-ant for affiliates to track this processnd be aware of proposed regulationso which RDs and DTRs can providenput and expertise. When regula-ions are created without input fromhe dietetics community, the future ofhe profession becomes uncertain.

It is helpful to remember thatracking proposed regulations is aublic process, and every state pub-

ishes proposed rules in the state reg-

by the American Dietetic Association

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PUBLIC POLICY NEWS

ster and allows time for the public toubmit comments. In most states,his is an electronic document that isasily accessible online. Some statesill provide e-mail notification to sub-

cribers each time it is published,sually on a weekly or biweekly basis.o find your state register online,earch the Internet for “(state name)dministrative register.” New regula-ions are often also announced ontate agency Web sites. It is recom-ended that each affiliate regularlyonitor the Web sites of related state

gencies.ADA recommends that each affili-

te choose no more than one or twoegulatory issues per year as priorityreas. This regulatory focus is thenncluded as one of the annual publicolicy goals for the affiliate. However,ince timeliness is critical for submit-ing comments when any regulations open for public input, continually

onitoring for these opportunities orhreats is also a priority. ADA’s

ashington, DC, office can provideembers with information and guid-

nce in pursuing regulatory changesn their respective states. ADA hasosted documents online with theeb addresses for the state regula-

ions of each state, which can easilye accessed at www.eatright.org/dvocacy (click on “Rules and Regula-ions”).

RS AND MEETINGS WITH STATEFFICIALSt is important to maintain relation-

● Affiliate President: As the affiliate leader,public policy panel leaders.

● State Policy Representative: Focuses on tfor political visibility in the governor’s offiRepresentative partners with the State Repositions.

● Public Policy Coordinator: Takes the leadWorkshop; the Public Policy Coordinator aand coordinates affiliate federal initiatives

● Reimbursement Representative: Coordinainsurance and third-party providers, and

● State Regulatory Specialist (2010 additionmakes connections with state agency offiinitiatives; the State Regulatory SpecialistRepresentative.

igure. Positions on the American Dietetic As

hips with the public officials who “

ork in state agencies in order toeep nutrition issues at the forefrontf important discussions and deci-ions. Those public officials involvedn writing and rewriting the regula-ions that affect the work of RDs arearticularly important to the profes-ion. State agencies that will be par-icularly involved are the Departmentf Education, Department of Agricul-ure, Department of Public Health,he Area Agencies on Aging, and thetate Medicaid Director.Just as affiliate leaders meet annu-

lly with the governor and state leg-slators, the SRS and other grassrootseaders are charged with meetingith public officials in these agencies.he SRS will play a central role ineveloping relationships with keyeaders to explain who the RD is,hat the RD does, and how the RD

an positively affect the health ofach state.

RS AND STATE APPOINTMENTState agencies continually createtate boards, commissions, and taskorces that study current policy issuesnd make recommendations for ac-ion by the department. By meetingith state officials, RDs gain in-

reased visibility as nutrition expertsithin the state.The SRS will seek opportunities forDs to be appointed to state task

orces, boards, and commissions. Ac-ording to Brenda Richardson, MA,D, LD, CD, Indiana Dietetic Associ-tion State Regulatory Specialist,

president provides overall guidance to the

legislative initiatives, building relationshipsand State Legislative Day; the State Policyatory Specialist for state public policy

federal issues and ADA’s Public Policyresponds to action alerts on federal issues

issues involving reimbursement andks opportunities for registered dietitians.

panel): Targets state regulatory issues andls who focus on food and nutritionmplements the work of the State Policy

iation’s (ADA’s) affiliate public policy panels.

The SRS and regulatory work here in

August 2010 ● Journal

ndiana has resulted in RDs being in-egral leaders and team players forutrition-related state initiatives. Weould never have built program ca-acity and sustainability without it.he SRS position with support of theffiliate leadership and members willee positive outcomes for their mem-ers and the clients they serve.”The appointment of RDs and DTRs

o these bodies will allow dieteticsractitioners to impact critical deci-ions regarding nutrition policy. Rec-mmend your colleagues today forhese roles and raise the involvementf RDs in your state public policyork.

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