Food, nutrition and health converge in the field of dietetics. Consequently NDVDA members have a unique perspective of how to advance the health of individuals through improved nutrition public policy.
Nutrition Public Policy Team
Your nutrition public policy team for the 2011 - 2012 year is as follows:
State Legislation and Public Policy-Jackie Darling, RD
vdahdqtrs@aol.com
Federal Legislation-Cindy MacIntyre, RD
cindymacrd@aol.com
Goals for Nutrition Public Policy
For the current year, there are several initiatives identified to influence the food, nutrition and health policy initiatives of key audiences.
a. Coalition building with other like-minded organizations.
b. Establish personal contacts with the state and federal legislators. See below.
c. Support VDA’s public policy initiatives. Have as many NDVDA representatives attend VDA’s Legislative session and ADA’s Public Policy Workshop as possible.
d. Support the VDAPAC. To learn more about it and make a contribution, click here:
http://www.eatrightvirginia.org/vda.cfm?page=vdapac
Ambassador Program
In an effort to get food and nutrition information to our state and federal lawmakers, VDA is identifying constituent liaisons for each of our representatives in the General Assembly and on Capitol Hill. This person would reside or work in the legislator's district and agree to establish a professional relationship to inform the legislator on VDA/ADA public policy priorities and ultimately become their "go-to" expert on food and nutrition issues. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Jackie Darling (state) or Cindy MacIntyre (federal).
Know Your Virginia Delegate and Senator
To contact your delegate and/or senator please go to the following web page for the Virginia General Assembly: http://legis.state.va.us. Click on Who's My Legislator to locate your state representatives or on Legislative Information System to check the status of current or past pieces of legislation. You can also check the Advocacy section on the VDA website at www.eatrightvirginia.org for updates on issues of priority to VDA.
Getting Involved-We need you
We cannot do this alone. We need your ideas, resources, contacts, and energies. In short we need your passion. The following is from the Virginia General Assembly:
“Get Involved. Find out who your representatives are and what they stand for, read the newspaper, volunteer in your community, be aware of issues and how they affect you; realize that you can initiate change and remember that every vote counts. Your vote and your voice can always make a difference!“ (http://legis.state.va.us/1_cit_guide/contacting_my.html)
Please do not hesitate to contact Jackie Darling or Cindy MacIntyre with your thoughts and ideas.
QUESTIONS ABOUT LICENSURE OF RDs IN VIRGINIA? write to vdalicensure@gmail.com
Support the VDAPAC. To learn more about it and make a contribution, click here:
http://www.eatrightvirginia.org/vda.cfm?page=vdapac
Remember if dietetics is your profession....
nutrition public policy is your business
