On March 21st, I was privileged to participate in the St Louis LNG's program: “What’s in the Wind at the State and Federal Levels for Diabetes Education", with guest Speaker: James Specker, MBA, MIS; AADE Advocacy Manager. The information regarding AADE's Advocacy concerns, the Affordable Care Act & Missouri's current stand, as well as, Scope of Practice for various disciplines of diabetes Educators was very interesting and sparked great discussion among attendees. AADE is committed to providing diabetes Educators and people with diabetes a voice in Washington and in the state capitals. The AADE Grassroots Advocacy program is responsible for maintaining a national network of diabetes Educators to support activities that affect persons with diabetes and public policy related to diabetes education and care. The AADE Board of Directors and Chief Advocacy Officer determine the Association's advocacy agenda and keep a close-watch on the happenings in Washington and raises awareness among our membership of legislative and regulatory proposals that affect diabetes Educators and their patients, through the CB Advocacy Leadership role.
Our State of Missouri Coordinating Body (CB) Leadership Team needs an Advocacy Volunteer Leader representative; we have not previously had a Missouri representative for this role. The interests and duties of a CB Advocacy Leader includes:
» will be the AADE Missouri State Legislative Coordinator (SLC).
» will receive and communicate to state Leaders and members the information regarding AADE legislative initiatives
» will coordinate “calls in action” on national and statewide legislative and reimbursement issues
» Identify and establish relationships with local state Legislators and congressional Representatives to acquaint them with the role of the diabetes Educator as an essential member of the healthcare team and AADE’s legislative agenda.
AADE is so committed to this effort that it will provide expenses paid, 2 day training program for each CB Advocacy Leader, in Washington, DC, in May; the training includes a trip to the Hill to meet with Government Leaders. This CB Leadership role is minimum 1 year committment, preferably 2 years, to promote continuity.
In the past, the Missouri CB Board has had 2 “face to face” meetings per year and quarterly conference phone calls. You do not need to be an LNG Member to be a CB Board Member; we need representatives from all areas of the State for this and other CB positions. Please consider sharing your talents, expertise, and time, not only to further enhance and promote the role of diabetes Educators, but also to add to your professional resume, and to meet colleagues from around the State, as well as from around the Country. If interested in pursuing the Advocacy Leadership role, please contact me at nancytcde@hotmail.com; subject line --CB Volunteer, to obtain a CB Volunteer Leader application; in order to accomodate travel planning/hotel arrangements, the application deadline for the Advocacy Leader Role is April 17, 2013. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
Nancy Trebilcock, BSN, RN, CDE; past MO CB Chair