Public Policy Panel and ADA Structure

WSDA Public Policy Panel
WSDA’s Public Policy Panel is made up of our Public Policy Coordinator, State Policy Representative, Public Policy Panel, the District Public Policy Coordinators, RDs with advocacy expertise in certain specialty areas, WSDA’s President, and WSDA’s Executive Director.

Public Policy Panel 2008-2009

ADA Public Policy Coordinator	TBD
State Policy Representative	Robin Payment, MS, RD, CD
Certification Representative	Karen Payne, RD
Dietetics Education Representative	Debra Boutin, MS, RD
Child Nutrition &   School Food Service Representative	Leeda Beha, RD, CD
Legislative Bill Monitoring	Suzanne Rebro, RD
Long-term Care Representative	Open
Medical Nutrition Therapy Representative	Susan Yake, RD, CD, CDE, CLC
Public Health Representative	Open
Reimbursement Representative	Suzanne Bailey, RD
WIC Representative	Sheila Fournier,  MPH, RD, CD
Young Professional Representative	Megan Stout

                            

District Public Policy Representatives

Greater Seattle Legislative Coordinator:                         Teresa Gjendem, RD

Greater Spokane Legislative Coordinator:                        Heather Gabbert, MS, RD

North Sound Legislative Coordinator:                             Christina Olson, RD, CD

Olympia Area Legislative Coordinator:                            TBD

South Sound Professional Issues Co-Chair:                    Cynamon Quinton, MS, RD

Southwest Washington Legislative Coordinator:              TBD

Tri-Cities Legislative Coordinator:                                 TBD

Yakima Valley Legislative Coordinator:                           TBD

 

ADA Policy Action Framework

To learn more about ADA advocacy structure click here. Here are some quick definitions:

Grassroots Network: This consists of ADA members nationwide who represent and act as liaisons to other members in their state and/or congressional district.

Public Policy Coordinator (PPC): Serves as a key connection/conduit between ADA government relations and grassroots leaders on ADA public policy stances and processes. Coordinates Public Policy Workshop visits to policy makers.  Communicates ADA’s nationwide and federal issues to WSDA and affiliates. This member serves on the Public Policy Panel. The PPC is appointed by the Board President for a Three Year Term.

State Policy Representative (SPR): Responsible for tracking state legislative and regulatory issues of importance to RDs and DTRs. Communicates local policy issues and ADA policy priorities to WSDA and affiliates. Coordinates appointments with state contacts (i.e. governor's office, state health officials, state legislatures). This individual would be a member of the Public Policy Panel.

Grassroots Liaison (GRL): The person(s) from the congressional district who works to maintain contact with his or her own congressional representatives.

Legislative Chair and a Legislative Committee: Individuals appointed in most affiliates to oversee state issues important to their home state. WSDA aims to cultivate this leadership within each district association.

Licensure Chair for ADA affiliates: People who track issues that are facing their state regarding licensing. The Licensure Chair monitors all issues relating to the licensing of dietetics professionals in the state and plans activities as needed. WSDA will assess the need to have this position in the future.

Medicaid contact: This is an individual that has been appointed in some states to track nutrition issues related to the changing face of the state-administered Medicaid program.

ADAPAC: ADA's political action committee. ADAPAC collects funds to be donated to political candidates who support ADA's priorities.

ADA Policy Initiatives and Advocacy Team staff: This group of ADA staff members located in both the Washington and Chicago offices works on food nutrition and health issues to influence policy at the federal, state and local levels.