Ex. Director's Report

Executive Director's Report

Executive Director's Report


January / February 2010....

Networking, Linkages, Relationship Building

The ED continues to represent ASTDN with Americans for Nursing Shortage Relief and the Nursing Community. These groups are working with a number of issues related to funding for nursing education and nursing workforce development. Sign-ons were provided for letters to Congress supporting nursing initiatives and Title VIII.

The ED continues to work with Quad Council representatives Joyce Krothe and Susan Swider on the update of the Core Competencies for Public Health Nurses, following the update by of Public Health Core Competencies by the Council on Linkages. A first draft went out for comment to Quad Council organization members after the QC meeting on the 28th and was discussed at the November APHA meeting. Comments are still welcome. The group is looking at the three-tiered system created by the COL and how the public health nursing competencies can be reconfigured to reflect this new structure.

The ED is working with Michelle Artz and Hilary Hansen of the ANA Government Affairs group to present the advocacy training at our Annual Meeting. A session summary, including goals and objectives, has been forwarded to committee co-chairs. Members of ASTDN and ACHNE will be canvassed before the meeting for their willingness/desire to make Hill visits following the training. Handouts and materials are being developed to supplement the Advocacy Guidelines.

ANA was informed of the selection of an ASTDN a representative to serve on their advisory panel for their new immunization grant from CDC.

The ED represented ASTDN on the National Health Equity Coalition conference call. They are currently working on information about health disparities being included in health reform.

The ED continues to forward requests to the organization through to Executive Board members for disposition between board meetings.

Resource and Infrastructure Development

The Resource Development Committee is now under the leadership of John Hankins of Alabama. Members include Glynnis LaRosa, Shirley Orr, and Tom Engle. There has been some difficulty scheduling a January or February meeting.

The ED worked with Rush University on a consulting arrangement for their HRSA grant. A letter of support was provided.

Liaison and Membership Activities

Planning continues for the joint Annual Meeting with ACHNE.

Cathalene Teahan has agreed to chair the Public Policy Workgroup. Requests for sign-ons are now being sent to Ms. Teahan. Public Policy Workgroup will be consulted relative to key issues for which members will lobby on Hill day.

The ED continues to link members to key communications from CDC and ASTHO, as well as updates on Health Reform and information about the Federal budget.

Organizational Initiatives

New Hampshire expressed interest in ASTDN publications on nurse leadership. These were forwarded through the Administrative Assistant.

November / December 2009....

Executive Director’s Report

Networking, Linkages, Relationship Building

  • The ED spoke with the new Assistant Surgeon General Chief Nurse of the USPHS about speaking at our Annual Meeting and encouraging the Surgeon General to attend as well. Placeholders have been put on their schedule for an appearance. RADM Nessler is planning to attend. It may be some time before we have final confirmation relative to the Surgeon General, Dr. Benjamin.
  • Continue to assist ASTHO Affiliate’s Council with planning of the annual in-person meeting, which is to take place at the end of January.
  • ASTDN continues to participate on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Clinician Outreach and Communications Activity (COCA). Information continues to be forwarded to the membership, when appropriate. Usually, there is very short notice on the announced conference calls.
  • The ED coordinated contact with members by the Center for Health Workforce Studies. The Center has recently conducted an enumeration study for HRSA and is looking for reactions from PHN leaders who would know about the resources in their states.
  • The ED continues to work with Quad Council representatives Joyce Krothe and Susan Swider on the update of the Core Competencies for Public Health Nurses, following the update by of Public Health Core Competencies by the Council on Linkages. A first draft went out for comment to Quad Council organization members after the QC meeting on the 28th and was discussed at the November APHA meeting. We continue to collect comments. A meeting is planned for the end of January, where the document will be redrafted to include comments.
  • The ED continues to work with the Nursing Community and Americans for Nursing Shortage Relief on letters related to legislative and administration support for Title VIII.
  • The ED completed crosswalks of mission statements for the Quad Council organizations. A new mission statement was drafted and sent out to committee members Linda Olsen Keller and Claire Millet.
  • The ED got agreements from Michelle Artz and Hilary Hansen of the ANA Government Affairs group to present the advocacy training at our Annual Meeting. A session summary, including goals and objectives, has been forwarded to committee co-chairs Marilyn Haynes-Brokopp and Connie Rousch. An additional meeting is planned for December 21, 2009, to finalize arrangements. Members of ASTDN and ACHNE will be canvassed before the meeting for their willingness/desire to make Hill visits following the training.
  • The ED represented ASTDN on a Quad Council call.
  • The ED was asked by ANA to obtain a representative to serve on their advisory panel for their new immunization grant from CDC.
  • The ED represented ASTDN on the National Health Equity Coalition conference call for November. NHEC has launched a post card campaign on health equity that was shared with members.
  • The ED forwarded information previously provide to AACN on the Masters essentials for public health nursing to ACHNE.

Resource and Infrastructure Development

The Resource Development Committee is now under the leadership of John Hankins of Alabama. Members include Glynnis LaRosa, Shirley Orr, and Tom Engle. John and Michelle are looking into the potential of HRSA grants.

Liaison and Membership Activities

  • The mid-year meeting was held in Philadelphia during the APHA meeting. For the first time, thanks to the diligence of John Hankins, members were able to dial in for the meeting. In-person attendance was not a good as had been predicted. Feedback was that the members appreciated the availability of the meeting by phone. It is suggested that in the future, we have remote attendees dial in later, after the people in the room have a chance to be settled.
  • Planning continues for the joint Annual Meeting with ACHNE. Lisette Osborne has agreed to co-chair local arrangements with an ACHNE rep. (See previous items.)
  • Cathalene Teahan has agreed to chair the Public Policy Workgroup. The ED has spoken with her about duties and responsibilities. Public Policy Workgroup will be consulted relative to key issues for which members will lobby on Hill day.
  • The ED continues to link members to key communications from CDC and ASTHO, as well as updates on Health Reform and information about the Federal budget.

Organizational Initiatives

The Nursing Alliance Questionnaire was completed and returned to them.

 

September 2009....

Executive Director’s Report

Networking, Linkages, Relationship Building

The Executive Director (ED) continued coordinating responses to Johnson and Johnson for public health nurses who would be willing to serve as actors/models for their recruitment and retention campaign. Members in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were very responsive and helpful. Special thanks to State Representatives Barbara Dingfelder and Diana Garzio for their timely and generous assistance.

The ED held a telephone conference call with NACCHO to share and be informed by each organization’s efforts on health equity. Their efforts have focused on encouraging local health departments to change their practice to address racism, class inequities. NACCHO gives grants to local agencies to enable them to work with their staff directly to pilot methods for organizing communities around these social justice issues. NACCHO is using a Health Equity Index and a Health Impact Assessment for these projects. Web designers and curriculum experts are being hired to build modules to be placed on their website to train workers in these methods. NACCHO will also be taking over the Unnatural Causes website. NACCHO is not clear what is going to happen under the new CDC Director, but would like us to stay involved. They plan a National Assembly next year, to which ASTDN will be invited.

ASTDN has been asked to participate on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Clinician Outreach and Communications Activity (COCA). Information on conference calls are forwarded to the membership, when appropriate. Usually, there is very short notice on the calls. The ED will attend as time allows.

The ED coordinated placing a survey on the listserv from the University of Kentucky Center for Workforce Excellence. There were questions about past PHN enumerations, which were answered for the investigators.

The ED continues to work with Quad Council representatives Joyce Krothe and Susan Swider on the update of the Core Competencies for Public Health Nurses, following the update by of Public Health Core Competencies by the Council on Linkages. A first draft was edited and a short introduction added. This will go out for comment to Quad Council organization members after the QC meeting on the 28th. It was decided to encourage comment through the November APHA meeting. It was felt this would be a good way to get a wide discussion of the document.

The ED is attending via telephone the Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness. A summary of the meeting held September 15th, 2009, was sent to members.
ASTDN signed on to a Nursing Community thank you letter to legislators for supporting the Title VIII appropriation. The ED continues to work with this group on issues related to appropriations. This month there will be a meeting to plan the Nursing Community’s official Congressional “ask.” Predictions are for good funding in the upcoming budget year.

The ED was asked to address nursing leadership grad students at Norwich University on the importance of professional organizations and ASTDN.
The ED represented ASTDN on the National Health Equity Coalition conference call for September. NHEC has launched a post card campaign on health equity that was shared with members.

Resource and Infrastructure Development

Work continues on a funding request to CDC on our health equity and leadership work. We have been asked to rework our proposal.

Liaison and Membership Activities

A survey was conducted for potential attendees for the mid-year meeting. Attendance is predicted to be at 16-20. Arrangements will be made based on this number.
Planning continues for the joint Annual Meeting with ACHNE. Lisette Osborne has agreed to co-chair local arrangements with an ACHNE rep. Our administrative assistant has been asked if she is interested in working on the continuing education effort, which would be more reasonable financially than having ACHNE’s contractor do it. The understanding would have to be that Janet is paid from conference funds, not ASTDN. Diana Pistole was asked to invite Dr. Regina Benjamin and Mary Wakefield as keynote speakers.

Upcoming meetings are scheduled for October 8th and 20th.

Organizational Initiatives

The annual report for the Nursing Alliance was completed and returned to them in time for their annual meeting.

Conference Call Options for Mid Year Meeting

Planning continues for the ASTDN Mid-Year meeting to be held in conjunction with the APHA meeting on Sunday, Nov 8th 6:30-8:30 pm at the Marriott Hotel, Room 405 Philadelphia, PA.. ASTDN leadership is working setting up a conference call set up during the meeting. Mark your calendars. More information will be available soon.

Website Links Updated

The “Links” section of the ASTDN website (www.astdn.org) has been updated. There are links to many organizations and other helpful information. Remember to check it out if you are looking for resources.
Update from ASTDN Environmental Committee
Environmentally-induced problems such as asthma, lead poisoning, infant mortality, obesity, and injuries are costly to all of us. The evidence demonstrates that these and other environmentally-induced problems are preventable and require population-focused interventions.
Public health nurses are the natural leaders in promoting partnerships to address the environmental determinants of health. Public health nurses have a unique skill set that enables them to engage very diverse professional disciplines, elected officials, and community members to work together toward solutions to environmental health problems.

This historic public health approach to collaborative design of community environments was common in the earlier part of the 20th Century. Around WWII, urban planning developed as a discipline and public health professionals placed more emphasis on individual-level interventions. Although communicable diseases were largely being controlled, chronic diseases emerged in epidemic proportions. As we experience a renaissance in public health’s interest in urban planning approaches, this effective partnership is being reestablished. Collaboration leverages resources through mutually agreed-upon goals and leads to policy development promoting the public’s health.
Public health nurses are leading the preparations for a town hall meeting with the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences which will take place on October 1, 2009 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Thus far the community is very interested in being engaged in environmental issues in their neighborhoods, and they are pleased with the direction in which these conversations are taking us. We are certain that ongoing discussions will result in priority-setting and action steps that will ensure corrective and preventive measures to address environmental determinants of health.

If you have similar initiatives in your jurisdictions or are interested in more information please contact:
Deborah Pasha James, B.S. Nursing, RN
Public Health Nursing Consultant
Division of Public Health
Southeastern Regional Office
819 N 6th St, Room 609
Milwaukee, WI 53203-1697
Phone (414) 227-4775
Deborah.PashaJames@wisconsin.gov

Public Health Accreditation Board Announces the Launch of the Beta Test

On September 18, 2009, PHAB notified 30 state, local and tribal health departments of their selection to participate in the public health accreditation beta test. Their participation will provide the public health field with on-the-ground, critical feedback needed to revise and refine the accreditation program prior to the national launch in 2011. PHAB received an overwhelming number of applications, representing incredible depth and expertise from public health departments nationwide. PHAB is very grateful for the strong response and the clear message sent by public health departments that they are committed to public health accreditation and to transforming public health across the country.

To ensure that the beta test sites represent a diverse cross-section of health departments, PHAB carefully selected departments that vary in size, structure, population served, governance, geographic region, and degree of preparedness for accreditation. Beta test sites will undergo the entire accreditation process, including applying for accreditation, providing documentation, and hosting site visits. Throughout the beta test, the sites will provide valuable and comprehensive feedback on the standards, assessment process, and materials that will inform the final accreditation program. The beta test sites will also work closely with PHAB's partners - ASTHO, NACCHO, NALBOH and NIHB.

The beta test represents a unique learning opportunity not only for PHAB and for the participating health departments, but also for all health departments preparing for accreditation. To learn more about PHAB and the beta test go to www.phab.org

CDC E-Cards

Have you ever wanted to send a card with a health related message? If so, CDC can help you out. Free Electronic Cards are available at http://www2a.cdc.gov/ecards/browse.asp?act=brs&chkcategory=Flu&submit1=GO
There are cards for many different topics. Check it out—a fun way to send health messages.

News Needed

Is something happening in your state that you would like to share with your ASTDN colleagues? Please send information you would like included in the News Update to Glenda.kelly@astdn.org.

 

May / July '09...

Networking, Linkages, Relationship Building -

  • The Executive Director (ED) was contacted by Mary Lechen of the Centers for Disease Control about ASTDN’s Health Equity Paper. A conference call was held on July 8th. Current discussions center around reaching PHNs on the issue of health equity.
  • The ED participated in ASTHO Affiliates Council calls and was invited to attend the H1N1 Hotwash at ASTHO on July 20th with Teresa Garrett, a member of the ASTHO management council. In anticipation of the meeting member stories and data were gathered and compiled into a summary document.
  • ASTDN was also asked to participate in an August PH Branding meeting at ASTHO.
  • The ED participated in the RWJ Foundation Future of Nursing conference call. A wealth of data was presented on the current numbers and projections for the nursing profession.
  • The ED held a conference call with Hermia Parks (Riverside, California), who is serving as ASTDN’s representative to the Health Equity Coalition. Ms. Parks was briefed on past and current initiatives relative to health equity and development of a diverse workforce. Also, a briefing was provided on the history of the health equity efforts. ASTDN continues to be involved in the Friends of HRSA and Friends of CDC Coalitions, as well as with the Trust for America’s Health, providing support letter sign-on this month. The ED participated in APHA’s monthly legislative conference call. There was a full discussion of the Family Tobacco Prevention Bill and the Affordable Health Choices (Kennedy) bill. Relative to the new Transportation bill, Secretary Ray LaHood has proposed an extension of the current laws for 18 months.
  • The ED drafted a letter of support for the American Nurses Association’s proposal on immunization education.
  • The ED and tri-state (NJ, NY, CT) members provided Johnson and Johnson with leads for their new campaign on public health nursing. The ED also provided feedback for their brochure. A casting call is planned shortly.
  • The ED provided a summary of discussions with ACHNE on planning next year’s joint meeting to ASTDN program chair, Marilyn Haynes-Brokopp. The ED also participated in the ACHNE conference planning meeting on July 15th.
  • The ED participated in the Healthy People 2020 conference call. Much of the discussion centered on accountability of Federal agencies, how Federal agencies can provide leverage points, states as primary partners, the need for TA to state and local health departments, and the ramifications of the poor economy. The next meeting is August 14th.

Resource and Infrastructure Development

  • The ED has followed leads on potential sources of funds for ASTDN. A resource improvement plan was forwarded to the Executive Board for their consideration. The plan calls for formation of a resource development committee.
  • The ED presented CDC with a discussion paper for potential funding for a PHN Leadership Education Institute, a PHN Apprenticeship Program and for funding of our health equity meeting. The proposals are pending further discussion with CDC.
  • Arrangements were completed for a pay service to handle payroll. (Thank you, Rhonda.)

Liaison and Membership Activities

  • The ED worked with the Communications Coordinator to finish last edits to the Public Policy Guidelines and to provide an introduction for posting on the web. Reservations were made with APHA for the mid-year meeting. Catering arrangements are still pending.
  • The ED responded to questions from Sam Chapman of Ohio. Ohio may be interested in hosting the 2011 annual meeting.

Organizational Initiatives

The ED participated in a de-briefing on the last Annual Meeting and continues to support the new conference chair as needed and perform liaison activities with ACHNE.
New ASTDN Membership Categories

During the ASTDN annual meeting, revisions to the by-laws were presented and approved to expand the ASTDN membership categories. The goal of this change is to expand the organization membership.

The three previous membership categories, Official State Representative/Designee, Alumni member and Associate member will continue. Three new membership categories were added: Contributing member; Local, State, or Federal Governmental Public Health Nursing Leadership member and Student member.

These changes will not only allow ASTDN membership to grow but will also enable ASTDN to receive some additional revenue. The expanded membership structure provides the opportunity for more members to run to vote and hold office in the “member at large” capacity. Log onto the ASTDN website at http://www.astdn.org/astdn-membership-new.htm to view each category in more detail.

Please share the news about the new membership opportunities with your colleagues. This new structure allows for public health nurses at all levels to actively participate in the organization

Renew Your ASTDN Membership Today-Deadline August 31

Please note -August 31, 2009 is the deadline for renewing your membership in ASTDN for the year-July, 2009-June, 2010. Members can join or renew at anytime, however, memberships before the deadline allow the ASTDN leadership to know what resources are available for the year. At this time, the organization has no funding from another source so membership contributions are critical.

Joint ASTDN & ACHNE 2010 Annual Meeting PlanningMark your calendars and plan to attend the 2010 joint meeting of ASTDN and The Association of Community Health Nursing Educations (ACHNE). The theme of the meeting is Embracing Diversity: Innovations in Education, Policy & Practice. The meeting will be held in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday, June 10-Sunday, June, 13 at the Sheraton Hotel, Crystal City, Virginia. Marilyn Haynes-Brokoop is the chairman of the ASTDN planning committee. You are invited to share your work, insights, and research on strategies to advance diversity in C/PHN education and workforce, as well as to improve the health of the public. The program objectives are to:

  • Discuss innovative approaches toward increasing diversity in the C/PHN workforce and faculty.
  • Describe strategies that foster a culturally competent C/PHN workforce, faculty, and student body.
  • Summarize research and evaluation findings related to C/PHN advocacy efforts.
  • Compare the effectiveness of C/PHN practice across diverse populations and settings.
  • Demonstrate innovative strategies with policymakers when advocating for the role of C/PHN.

Submit abstracts for concurrent session presentation, poster, or symposium for review. All formats for exploration and discussion of any issue related to C/PHN education, practice, and research will be considered. Authors must be members of ACHNE or ASTDN and be registered for the Joint Meeting at the time of presentation. Watch the ACHNE & ASTDN listservs in August for instructions for submissions. Abstracts will be due October 16, 2009

New Resources Available on ASTDN Website

Several new resources have been added to the website www.astdn.org. The resources include a downloadable Public Policy Guidebook and the following fact sheets

  • What is Public Health Nursing
  • What is the impact of Public Health Nursing within Public Health
  • The Role Of Public Health Nursing in Health Reform
  • Recommendations for Taking Action on the Public Health Nursing Shortages Through the 2009 Economic Stimulus Package

Final National Accreditation Standards Available
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) has announced that the proposed voluntary national accreditation standards and measures for state, local, and territorial public health departments have been approved by the PHAB Board of Directors and are available for distribution. The standards and measures along with guidance for documentation can be downloaded from the PHAB at http://www.phaboard.org/standards/

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Institute of Medicine Launch Unprecedented Initiative on the Future of Nursing in America

To identify solutions of nursing care that will not only address many of the issues facing the profession but also transform the way Americans receive health care, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) have launched a new Initiative on the Future of Nursing. As part of the initiative, IOM has convened a committee of experts to identify the potential for increasing access, improving quality and reducing costs through the involvement of nursing leaders and widespread use of nursing care solutions.The study committee will review innovative models of nursing care and education; its goal is a transformational report on the future of nursing, with solutions that nursing can provide to improve the quality of patient care while controlling costs.

The Initiative’s study committee will be led by Donna E. Shalala, Ph.D., former Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and current president of the University of Miami. Linda Burnes Bolton, Dr.P.H., R.N., FAAN, vice president for nursing, chief nursing officer, and director of nursing research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, will serve as the committee's vice-chair. They are joined on the committee by other distinguished researchers, health professionals, and leaders from academia, industry and non-profit organizations.

Nursing faces a number of challenges that threaten to limit the promise of those nurse-led solutions. Chief among them is the current and projected shortage of nurses; estimated to escalate to a half-million full time nurses by the year 2025, caused by nurses retiring and an increase in the number of older Americans with greater health care needs. The shortage is compounded by a lack of educational capacity to train the next generation of nurses, and educational programs that need revision to better match advances in clinical practice and greater emphasis on quality and safety.

Sponsored by RWJF, and conducted by the IOM, the Initiative study committee aims to present its findings in the fall of 2010. To inform its deliberations, the committee will hold three town hall meetings to gather information. The committee’s recommendations will be the basis of a report on nursing that will define a clear agenda and blueprint for action, including changes in public and institutional policies at the federal, state and local levels.

The committee may examine and produce recommendations related to the following issues, with the goal of identifying vital roles for nurses in designing and implementing a more effective and efficient health care system.

  • Reconceptualizing the role of nurses within the context of the entire workforce, the shortage, societal issues and current and future technology;
  • Expanding nursing faculty, increasing the capacity of nursing schools and redesigning nursing education to assure that it can produce an adequate number of well prepared nurses able to meet current and future health care demands;
  • Examining innovative solutions related to care delivery and health professional education by focusing on nursing and the delivery of nursing services; and
  • Attracting and retaining well prepared nurses in multiple care settings, including acute, ambulatory, primary care, long term care, community and public health.

For more information go to http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=45714&c=EMC-ADV

New England Hosted Summer Brown Bag Public Health Nursing Webinar series

Glynnis LaRosa the Massachusetts ASTDN representative worked with her state’s public health nursing organization the Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses (MAPHN), the New England Alliance for Public Health Workforce Development and the Boston University School of Public Health to host three summer PHN webinar educational sessions. These were made available to all New England PHNs. The July and August sessions were publicized via the ASTDN list serve so that PHNs across the country could participate. The first webinar “American Red Cross Sheltering Overview and the Public Health Nurse’s Role” was presented by Tom Grimsley, RN, BSN, Volunteer, and Disaster Health Services for the American Red Cross. The second webinar “Mass Casualty and Triage: What Public Health Nurses Need to Know” was held July 30, 2009. The speaker Jon Burstein, MD, is the Medical Director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services for the state of Massachusetts. The final session was held on August 4, 2009 was presented by Divina Grossman, PhD, RN, ARNP, FAAN, Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University. Dr. Grossman presented “Successful Environments for Public Health Nursing: Multicultural & Multiethnic Challenges and Opportunities”. All three sessions received positive reviews!

Share Your News

If you would like to share news about what activities in your state send to glenda.kelly@astdn.org and it will be included in the next News Update

 

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March / April '09 ...

I. Networking, Linkages, Relationship Building

  1. The Executive Director (ED) was contacted by Michele Issel of the University of Illinois at Chicago/College of Nursing about an application they are preparing. The funds would assist UIC with setting a research agenda for public health nursing. The University would like ASTDN to be involved in the project, at first in an advisory role and in selecting attendees for the invitational summit.
  2. The ED was contacted by a freelance nurse-author who is interested in writing about the organization. A meeting has been set up for later in April.
  3. A response was received from the Alliance concerning the issue of member dues. The check for $500 was accepted.
  4. Hermia Parks (Riverside, California) was recruited to cover the new Health Equity Coalition as the representative for ASTDN.
  5. ASTDN continues to be involved in the Friends of HRSA and Friends of CDC Coalitions, providing support letter sign-on this month.
  6. The ED drafted one-page summaries in response to a request to the ASTDN President from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
  7. ASTDN was asked to have the Health Equity paper linked to a website on transcultural nursing. Permission was granted.

II. Resource and Infrastructure Development

  1. The ED has followed leads on potential sources of grant funding and continues to check Grants.gov for funding opportunities. The Executive Committee will be made aware as soon as information is available on the HRSA technical assistance workshops.
  2. The ED presented a report on potential savings to the Executive Board at the March meeting.
  3. ADP was contacted for quotes on generating the ED’s paychecks and this was forwarded to the Treasurer.

III. Liaison and Membership Activities

  1. The ED will be speaking with the Missouri Public Health Nursing Association on April 30th on the topic of partnerships.
  2. The ED has been working with representatives from NYSDOH on a new ASTDN representative. One was named this week. The ED also spoke with the Director of Nursing in American Samoa, who is interested in joining the organization.
  3. The ED consulted with the Membership Committee Chair on issues related to state representative and associate membership.

IV. Organizational Initiatives

 

Public Policy Workgroup completed the ASTDN Advocacy Guidance and will forward it to the ED to make final changes and format the document prior to the Annual Meeting. PPW was asked to convey ASTDN stances on several issues. (See co-chairs report.) The co-chairs have developed a grid to track ASTDN involvement in issues/endorsements.

 

December '08 & January '09...


Networking, Linkages, Relationship Building....

  • The Executive Director (ED) met with Donald Hoppert, director of Governmental Affairs with the American Public Health Association. ASTDN will be added to the Coalitions for the 3/9/10 SA Coalition. Mr. Hoppert provided information on the use of CapWhiz to contact members’ legislators, and is willing to speak at an advocacy session at the 2010 Annual Meeting. The CDC Coalition conference call is scheduled for January 22nd. Mr. Hoppert also said ASTDN should feel free to borrow from the APHA advocacy guidelines.
  • The ED was contacted by Ron Bialek of the Public Health Foundation (PHF) relative to their Workforce Development activities. Mr. Bialek was following up on previous discussions relative to the PHN pipeline. He will be working with the Council on Linkages for this project and will be looking for ASTDN involvement.
  • The ED met with Scott Becker of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, who is also chair of the ASTHO Affiliates Council. He has made APHL available for further discussion of organizational development and he, with his governmental affairs director, shared some hardcopy products of their advocacy efforts. These will be forwarded to the ASTDN Public Policy Workgroup co-chairs. APHL has also offered ASTDN the use of their conference room for DC-area meetings, should we need it.
  • Congratulations to President Teresa Garrett for being chosen as a new member of ASTHO’s Management Committee. President Garrett attended her first meeting this week and made several very good contacts for ASTDN.
  • The ED met with ASTHO ED Paul Jarris, former ASTDN President Sharon Moffatt, who is now ASTHO’s chief of health promotion and disease prevention, and Lacy Fehrenbach, the ASTHO affiliate affairs liaison. The meeting confirmed ASTHO support for public health nursing and engaged the partnership for workforce development activities. Also, ASTHO is speaking with CDC about public health being included in the stimulus package. They have also been speaking with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation about workforce issues. ASTDN is to be included in these discussions.
  • The ED met with government affairs staff from the American Nurses Association, Michelle Artz and Katie Brewer. Katie is new staff who will be working with Quad Council. Several recent issues were discussed. Ms. Artz will be a speaker at the Oklahoma City meeting.
  • The ED spoke with ACHNE program planners about the upcoming joint meeting in 2010 in Washington DC.

Resource and Infrastructure Development...

  • The President and the ED are working on CDC and ASTHO support for ASTDN efforts. A one-pager has been developed for ASTHO to talk about with partners.

Liaison and Membership Activities ...

  • Results of a listserv survey on BSN requirements for PHN titles were compiled. This may be the third effort of this kind. The ED is working with Karen O’Brien on potentially adding this material to an article she is preparing with Linda Olson Keller. Karen is also working on a paper on PHN Certification.
  • Copies of the Audit were sent to all regular Board members. On-line certification of the Circular A-133 was completed.
  • The ED responded to several listserv and Ask ASTDN posts.

Organizational Initiatives...

  • Public Policy Workgroup met and adopted a monthly call schedule for the first part of 2009. The next call is January 14th. An Advocacy Guidebook is being completed.
  • Health Equity Paper: The link for the Health Equity paper has been made more visible on the website.

Plan to Attend the Annual Meeting...

The 2009 ASTDN Annual Meeting will be held May 4-6 at the Renaissance Hotel in Oklahoma City. The conference theme is "Public Health Nurses - Nobody Does It Better!"

The tentatively scheduled speakers will be presenting on various topics including "Dance of the Generations," which deals with differences in work ethic among different generations of nurses; PHN to population ratios and its impact on the health of the public, and also a session on "how to do more with less" in these tough times of government budget shortfalls.

The host state is also planning an excursion to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial that will include a dinner with a presentation from a survivor and rescue worker from that disaster, along with a tour of the museum. This excursion will be included in the price of the conference registration.

ASTDN President Appointed to ASTHO Committee...

Teresa Garrett has been appointed to the Association of State and Territorial Health Official (ASTHO) Management Committee, serving as an affiliate representative. The Management Committee carries out activities for ASTHO that assist state health officials in the better management of their health departments and implementation of national policies. The Committee provides guidance to ASTHO’s Executive Committee on key projects that relate to state health agency implementation and operational issues.

ASTDN Position Paper On the Web...

Public Health Nurses and Public Health Nursing Leaders play vital roles in the elimination of health disparities and the achievement of health equity. ASTDN's position paper, "The Role of Public Health Nurses in Achieving Health Equity", is now on the ASTDN website, www.astdn.org

New Online Public Health Nursing Orientation Training Offered...

The Pacific Public Health Training Center has developed an online public health nursing orientation program. This training was originally developed in partnership with the Utah Department of Health and Utah Public Health Nursing Director's Association as a six-hour face-to-face training for Utah state and local health department nurses. It was conducted at various locations throughout state in October 2007.

The public health nursing orientation applies public health concepts to nursing, discusses the history, goals, and accomplishments of public health and public health nursing, and outlines the principles of public health nursing and interventions for population-based practice. The training is a 3-4 hour asynchronous training. No more than one hour is expected to complete each section. The training progresses from a PH 101 review (with emphasis on PH Nursing interest areas) to PH Nursing, then PH Nursing Practice, with a final "Your PH Nursing Practice" section, where participants apply items and concepts covered in the training to their practice. The training is interactive and includes user text input fields, matching, and sequencing exercises. Users can obtain printouts of their text input after each section and/or after the training is completed.

The training introduces online resources and links that are helpful to PH Nursing practice (with an emphasis on Utah-based sources). It includes case study exercises that help users recognize PH Nursing concepts and provide them with opportunities to practice recognizing PH Nursing interventions. Educational tools referenced include the Minnesota Intervention Wheel, the Public Health Nursing Practice Model from the Los Angeles County DPH Department of Public Health Nursing, and "Opening Doors: Public Health Nursing in its 100th Year," produced by the Washington State Public Health Association. This training features a Jeopardy game which users progressively complete by testing their knowledge at the end of training sections.

Users can print out a Certificate of Completion after completing the training. The training also contains an extensive evaluation instrument that asks users to provide input about their (perceived) gained knowledge and feedback about their learning experience at the end of each section.

It is recommended that users complete Pacific's PH 101: Principles of Public Health <http://www.pphtc.org/training/course_descr/course_ph101.htm> before taking the public health nursing orientation training

This page at this link <http://www.pphtc.org/training/course_descr/course_phn.htm> provides the learning objectives, summaries, and time lengths for each section.

Report Finds Economic Crisis Hurting U.S. Preparedness for Health Emergencies...

Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today released the sixth annual Ready or Not? Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism report. This report finds that progress made to better protect the country from disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and bioterrorism is now at risk, due to budget cuts and the economic crisis. In addition, the report concludes that major gaps remain in many critical areas of preparedness, including surge capacity, rapid disease detection, and food safety. The report contains state-by-state health preparedness scores based on 10 key indicators to assess health emergency preparedness capabilities. More than half of states and D.C. achieved a score of seven or less out of 10 key indicators. You can access the report at
http://www.rwjf.org/publichealth/product.jsp?id=36628&c=EMC-ADV

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow Program...

Several members of ASTDN have completed or are currently participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow Program. This programs is an advanced leadership program for nurses in senior executive roles in health services, public health and nursing education who aspire to help lead and shape the U.S. health care system. The program began in 1998 and is presently recruiting people for the 12th cohort.

The three-year fellowships allow participating nurses to remain in their current positions while they gain the experiences, insights, competencies and skills necessary to advance in executive leadership positions in a health care system that is undergoing unprecedented change. The program is designed to give nursing and nurses a more influential role across many sectors of the economy.

The fellowships are open to senior-level nurses who hold executive positions in health services organizations, public health organizations and systems, and nursing education. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or its territories or have permanent residency status at the time of application.

Participants work on independent projects while they participate in the program. Following is information about ASTDN members who participated in the program and their projects:

 
 

Joy Reed participated in the 1998 Inaugural Cohort. Joy is the ASTDN representative from North Carolina. Her project was to lead the conversion for our 85 local health departments from billing Medicaid via special state-created "bundled" codes to billing by CPT codes. The project involved setting up training for all clinical and billing staff, a hotline for all calls with questions, negotiations with our state Medicaid agency around the codes to be used for each previous "bundle" and reimbursement rates, etc Joy remains the Division's Liaison with the state Medicaid agency because of the project. Joy can be contacted at joy.reed@ncmail.net

Jo Ann Dotson, ASTDN representative from Montana was in the second cohort of the program (1999-2001). Jo Ann states, “this program was a life changing experience, consisting of a series of superb trainings, mentorship opportunities, and the development of a independent projects. My project was data system development that directly benefited the work of my institution. The program stimulates fellows to examine their own futures and the future of health care. I attribute the program with my decision to begin my doctoral study.” You can contact Jo Ann at jdotson@mt.gov

Debbie Swanson, associate ASTDN member from North Dakota was in the RWJ Executive Nurse Fellows Program from 2002-2005. Her project was establishing a smoke free law in my community that is stronger than the state law. You can find out more information about her project at http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=21071 . You can contact Debbie at dswanson@grandforksgov.com

Derryl Block, associate member from Wisconsin, was in the 2003 cohort of the RWJ Executive Nurse Fellows program. Her project involved improving sustainability of BSN-LINC, a self-funded, national, online RN to BSN program. The project involved market analysis in collaboration with an affiliated university business program, strategic planning for low cost marketing, resource allocation to marketing, and continual analysis. You can contact Derryl at blockd@uwgb.edu

Janice Morrissette is the ASTDN representative from Maine. She was in the 2005 cohort of the program. Her leadership project was entitled "Statewide Public Health Nursing (PHN) Program of Excellence" and focused on a statewide PHN program to obtain recognized national standards of excellence. Under her leadership, Maine is now well into the process of preparing for accreditation with CHAP. You can contact Jan at janet.j.morrissette@maine.gov

Pat Drehobl, associate member, is in the 2007 cohort. She had to change her project because she changed jobs so it is still in the formative stages. The objective of the project will be to strengthen the public health workforce. You can contact Pat at pdb2@cdc.gov

Rhonda Richtsmeier, ASTDN representative from Alaska, is in the 2008 cohort. She reports she is still in the early stages of working on her project. Following is an overview of what she has in mind. Alaska, like most state and local public health systems, will face a significant turnover in leadership in the next few years. Many public health leaders do not currently believe they have the skill or the time and energy needed to adequately create the opportunities to build the confidence and experience of emerging leaders, to effectively nurture the talent of new leaders, and to engage in succession planning. Many established leaders have had insufficient education and training in the shift from authority-focused leadership to collaborative and team-oriented leadership. The overall aim of this project is to develop an innovative, efficient and collaborative leadership development program model that addresses these deficits, benefits the growth of both current and emerging leaders in the Alaska Division of Public Health, and incorporates succession planning into the overall strategy of the Division/Department. You can contact Rhonda at Rhonda.Richtsmeier@alaska.gov

Ann Cary, associate member from Massachusetts, is a 2008-2011 RWJF Executive Nurse Fellow. She is currently planning her project, which is to create centers of excellence and collaboration for graduate education among the 20 Jesuit Schools of Nursing in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Through student and faculty exchange models, students can experience access to coursework and faculty who demonstrate expertise in the field and not be limited to a "local" singular option for graduate education. Ann can be contacted at cary@nursing.umass.edu

Jo Ann Dotson wrote the following: Public health and public health nursing need leadership. This program provides an excellent opportunity to explore and develop knowledge and skills that can and do contribute to the health of the public. For more information about the Nurse Executive Fellows Program go to
http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=20481&c=EMC-FA135

List Serve State Survey Regarding BSN Requirement...

A survey was recently done via the ASTDN listserv regarding if states required a BSN to practice as a public health nurse. Some people replied briefly to the question indicating simply “yes’ or “no” while others supplied more information. The e-mail messages indicated that few states actually require a BSN most states prefer a baccalaureate degree for state positions but usually experience or degree in another field can substitute for BSN. Some states actually require a BSN for “public health nurse” positions but not all nurses working in public health have this title. Click here to obtain a PDF of the state by state BSN survey results.

 

September '08...

 
 

I. Networking, Linkages, Relationship Building -

A. The President, with help from the Communications Coordinator, widely distributed the announcement of the hiring of an Executive Director. ASTHO then distributed this announcement to all of its affiliates. In follow-up there were several follow-up e-mails of congratulations, stating the desire to work together. ASTHO ED Paul Jarris has suggested a meeting in Washington DC to orient the new ED to ASTHO and the affiliates. He has also offered space, should ASTDN need it, at ASTHO headquarters.
B. ASTHO/NACCHO Meeting
The President and the Executive Director attended the joint ASTHO-NACCHO Annual Meeting. Several good connections were made at the meeting, including contacts with CDC and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Steven Solomon of the CDC has suggested a contact for Coordinator Mary Pat Couig relative to trying to get the $100K left in the CA appropriated to us. There is the potential that ASTDN will be “adopted” by the Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service. Also, we were assured that our communication with RWJF has started the conversation about public health nursing. These are positive developments.
We learned that former ASTDN President Sharon Moffatt has recently been hired as the Chief of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for ASTHO. Congratulations, Sharon! We look forward to her advocacy for public health nursing within ASTHO.
C. Healthiest Nation Alliance – ASTDN has signed on to this multi-partner initiative.

II. Resource and Infrastructure Development

 
 

A. Potential Funding
The ED is currently investigating foundations as potential sources of funding. RWJ Foundation has posted an opportunity under “Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future.” This initiative requires matching funds from another foundation. The Project Officer at RWJ was contacted and believes the case could be made for a national public health nursing leadership initiative or an initiative that focuses on retention and recruitment of public health nurses. Proposals are due October 2nd, for this round. If we are unable to make the deadline for this round, it appears there will be other rounds of funding.

B. Johnson and Johnson
Several attempts were made to contact Johnson and Johnson, without success.

III. Liaison and Membership Activities

 
 

A. The ED worked with the Communications Coordinator and the webmaster to update materials on the website.
B.

IV. Organizational Initiatives

A. Public Policy Workgroup

 
 

Zenobia Harris has agreed to co-chair the committee. We are still waiting to hear from Diana McMaster as to whether she would like to be the other co-chair.
Two issues were sent to the PPW this month:

    1. APHA is expressing opposition to Provider Conscience regulations, citing the potential for depriving clients of needed reproductive and other health services.
    2. A communication went out to all leaders from APRN stakeholder organizations who have participated or have been invited to participate in meetings or sessions on the APRN Consensus Process, and the formation of the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, & Education (July 2008). The letter was from Horacio Oliveira, Education Policy and Special Projects Assistant, American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
      Attached was the draft consensus document, completed through the collaborative work of the APRN Consensus Work Group and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. They are requesting endorsement letters prior to October 31, 2008. The names of all organizations who endorsed the document will begin to be added to the document in early November. ACHNE (Pamela Kulbock) was contacted. They will be discussing their response next week. QUAD Council is formulating a response and correcting some misinformation. According to Jeanne Matthews, it is not certain how Quad Council will frame their opposition. Many PHNs do not think our opposition be very meaningful, since the paper is aimed at the individual level of care. Any questions related to the request or the contents of the document should be directed to Joan Stanley, at the following email address: jstanley@aacn.nche.edu.
 
 

It is very concerning that the definitions are not inclusive of the population-level of care.

B. Health Equity Paper

 
 

Final edits are being made by the ED, and the committee hopes to have final product to the Board by the next meeting in October.

 

 
 
Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing
 PO Box 4166, Halfmoon Station
Clifton Park, NY 12065
e-mail - askastdn@astdn.org
Updated
3/9/10