Public Policy and Advocacy Award In Dietetics Education

The American Dietetic Association Political Action and Legislative & Public Policy Committees believe that public policy and advocacy education is critical to the future of the dietetics profession. The education and advocacy of practitioners is promoted at the state level by Legislative Network Coordinators, the Grassroots Liaisons and the State Legislative Chairs. Educational standards for all accredited programs provide for the expectation of policy and political action related learning experiences in dietetics education.

This award intends to recognize outstanding examples among our dietetics programs of learning outcomes in policy advocacy and political action. Recipients of the award will be showcased at the 2009 Public Policy Workshop.

Eligibility

Any dietetics education program accredited/approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education may apply.

Criteria

  1. Dietetics Program must submit a cover letter with supportive materials to ADA’s Washington office.
  2. Documentation must demonstrate evidence of political action advocacy by students at the state and/or national levels.
  3. Weighted credit will be awarded to the program based on the level of involvement of students in practical application of policy advocacy.

Selection Process

  1. Nominations will be reviewed by members of the ADAPAC Board and LPPC and scored based on the following components:
    1. Depth of educational content on policy advocacy at state and national levels
    2. Projects aimed at practical application of advocacy
    3. Simulation/class role playing
      Action activities in state related issues
      Action activities in national related issues
    4. Documentation of the effectiveness/outcome of project in the beliefs, attitudes and practices of students and the level of participation by students
  2. Recipients will be notified by the Chairs of ADAPAC and the LPPC before PPW 2009.

Recognition

  1. Program representative will receive reimbursement for one program representative to attend the 2009 PPW in Washington, DC (registration and room for two nights).
  2. The program will be recognized at the DEP meeting at FNCE and at the appropriate time at PPW. It will also be featured in the DEP Newsletter.
  3. Award recipient will receive a certificate appropriate for framing.
  4. Award recipient will share the information with other dietetics programs via the DEP Newsletter.

LPPC and ADAPAC intend to present the Public Policy and Advocacy Award in Dietetics Education on an annual basis, depending on interest and quality of nominations received.

To apply for this award or nominate a program, you may send materials via email to Dana Whitley at dwhitley@eatright.org or you may mail the materials to:

Dana Whitley
American Dietetic Association
Attn: Dietetics Education Award
1120 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 480
Washington, DC  20036