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Engage legislators and key institutional leaders to support policies and
laws that focus on prevention of diabetes and support for those with
diabetes, including access to and quality of care and education.
Contact Workgroup Chair: advocacy@virginiadiabetes.org
STATE POLICY POSITIONS FOR 2010
Goal 1. Convene a VDC Advocacy Work Group to examine diabetes-related issues that should be addressed by state legislation or organizational policy.
OBJECTIVES
1. By March 2008, recruit VDC members to
establish a Advocacy Work Group to focus on
legislation and policy concerning diabetes.
2. By September 2008, Advocacy Work Group will develop a long- and short-term policy agenda that will be disseminated to VDC membership and its partners and updated annually.
3. By September 2008, Advocacy Work Group will familiarize themselves with and develop a working relationship with the General Assembly health and insurance committee membership, staff and allied commissions (i.e. Joint Commission on Health Care (JCHC) and Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC)) and national resources - National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
4. By December 2008, create an advocacy link on the VDC web page as a means to gather support and educate the public on diabetes issues in Virginia.
Goal 2. Respond to stakeholder requests for specific public policy initiatives.
OBJECTIVES
1. By March 2009, develop an initial set of diabetes funding priorities for consideration by the Virginia General Assembly, supporting existing and new initiatives such as the diabetes prevention and control efforts of the Virginia Department of Health.
2. By March 2010, strengthen school wellness policy by including access to healthy foods and 30 minutes of exercise in grades K-10 so that healthy eating and exercise habits are more likely to follow students throughout their lives.
3. By March 2010, advocate for school nurse coverage in all schools.
2. By March 2010, disseminate information on research projects and results through multiple channels to all appropriate partners.
3. By June 2013, implement pilot research projects relevant to the research agenda by partnering with funding sources and researchers in academic and clinical institutions in local communities.
4. By 2011, initiate promotion of adopting the Youth Risk Behavior Factor Surveillance Survey (YRBSS) in Virginia by preparing comparative study of other states’ ability to obtain federal grant funding based availability of YRBSS data.
5. By 2012, pursue legislative support to recruit additional pediatric and adult endocrinologists to practice in Virginia.
6. By 2013, determine the feasibility of making diabetes a reportable disease in Virginia.
Goal 3. Promote a grassroots health initiative (non-legislative) for cities and towns to prioritize walking and biking friendliness when designing public housing, schools, libraries and parks.
OBJECTIVES
1. By June 2010, convene a symposium of statewide coalitions that focus on health promotion and chronic disease prevention to develop or enhance a long-term plan to improve the built environment to support access to physical activity for all Virginians.
KEY PARTNERS
American Cancer Society
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
General Assembly Legislators and Staff
Health Insurers and Health Plans
Joint Commission on Health Care
Joint Legislative and Audit Committee
Kids Count
Medical Society of Virginia
National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias
Other Statewide Coalitions with a focus on Health
Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention
Persons with Diabetes
School Health Advisory Boards
Virginia Association of Health Plans
Virginia Chapter of American Academy of Family
Physicians
Virginia Chapter of American Academy of
Pediatrics
Virginia Chapter of American College of Physicians
Virginia Chapters of the American Association of
Diabetes Educators
Virginia Department of Education
Virginia Department of Health
Virginia Diabetes Council
Virginia Dietetic Association
Virginia Nurses Association
Virginia Poverty Law Center
Virginia Public Schools Government Affairs
Coordinators
Virginia School Food Services Managers
Virginia School Nurses Association
Voices for Virginia’s Children
Voluntary Agency Lobbyists
Calendar of Events
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