Reporting Unlicensed Activity Thank you for all that responded to the Sentinel regarding the unlicensed nutrition aspect of the Fitness Profile I posted recently. I've been asked to remind everyone that when reporting things to the state your complaint must follow very specific legal protocols. You can call 1-877-HALT ULA (425-8852) and also download the unlicensed activity form from the website to complete and submit for formal review. http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/mqaservices/PublicServices.asp To report unlicensed activity please do not contact any of the Dietetics/Nutrition Practice Council members directly as this would compromise their position if they have prior knowledge. Think of them as the jury and as you all know jury's are not supposed to know anything about the cases ahead of time. Any discussions the Council members have regarding Licensure activities must be conducted in an open forum following the Sunshine Laws that govern officials of the State of Florida. So please continue to submit your complaints (if they don't get complaints then the powers that be may just decide our licensure act is not worth maintaining and that would be horrible), just do it through the proper channels and we'll be all set :) Thank you for your time and attention! Nancy Nancy Spaulding- Albright MMS, RD, LD/N, CNSD HEALTHSOUTH Sunrise Outpatient Center -Nutritionist Florida Dietetic Association - East Coast Media Representative BCDA Public Relations Contact Subscribe to the Pulse!! ADA POLICY INITIATIVES AND ADVOCACY REPORT ON THE PULSE Editor's Note: The Policy Initiatives and Advocacy group issues this email each week to inform members of the American Dietetic Association of developments affecting food, nutrition and health. Topics reflect ADA's legislative and regulatory priorities in Washington and the states, reimbursement issues, related matters and larger developments that affect the environment in which these topics are considered. Information contained in On the Pulse includes sensitive material and should not be shared outside the American Dietetic Association. For additional information or to seek permission for reprinting, please contact ADA Policy Initiatives and Advocacy at 800/877-0877. Please send comments to pulse@eatright.org. May 2006 Update On April 26, 38 participants attended the first Nutrition Matters – Legislative Workshop in Tallahassee. Internship programs from the University of Florida led by Gail Kauwell, PhD RD, University of North Florida led by Catherine Christie, PHD RD, Mayo Clinic/St. Luke’s Hospital led by Sherry Mahoney, RD the Department of Education led by Richard Parks, RD and the James Haley Veteran’s Hospital led by Anne Brezina, MS RD were represented. Participants heard about the legislative process from FDA lobbyist Larry Gonzalez, current nutrition matters (bills under consideration) from FDA RD Lobbyist Sandy Woodruff, MS RD, and visited the capital, saw a bill signed into law by the governor and saw both the House and the Senate in session. A huge thank you goes to Toni Martin, MPH RD for her conception, organization, planning and orchestration of this very memorable day. Many thanks are also due to President- Elect Molly Gladding, RD and Executive Director Chris Stapell, MS RD for their significant contributions to the day’s events. § Sandy Woodruff, MS RD, Chris Stapell, MS RD, and I met with Karen Murphy of the Governor’s staff to follow-up on the National Governor’s Conference meeting and discuss nutrition priorities in the state of Florida. § I represented FDA at the Leadership Council Inaugural Meeting for the Florida Physical Activity and Healthful Nutrition Network (FPAHNN) in Tallahassee on Thursday April 27. The DOH is establishing a network of interested parties who want to work on the obesity issue in Florida. This network will be broad and all encompassing. Details on how you can be a part of this effort will be forthcoming. § Thank you to all of you who wrote or called or emailed your legislators to voice your support of AHEC. Your voices were heard and their funding was restored in the appropriations bill. Let’s hope nothing changes in this last week! § FDA is working on scheduling an “idea raiser” at our FDA annual meeting in Orlando. 100ideas.org was created by Rep. Marco Rubio (R-Miami) to collect ideas for the future agenda of the House of Representatives. Our idea raiser will focus on the obesity epidemic we hope that many of you attending our meeting will come and bring your innovative ideas. The guidelines for submitting ideas include: -They should be relevant to everyday life. Every idea should speak to the hopes and anxieties of real Floridians. - Every idea should be about the future. They should not just make Florida a better place to live and work today, but also a better place to live and work for our children 20 years from now and their children as well. -No idea should unnecessarily expand the role of government. Catherine Christie, PhD, RD, LD/N, FADA President, Florida Dietetic Association