Chapter:

Louisiana Chapter

District:

VII

Name of person preparing report:

Sandra Adams

Title:

Chapter Executive Director

Phone:

225-925-7239

Fax:

225-925-1771

Email:

scadams1@aol.com

Chapter Goals

Please list the major goals/objectives of your chapter, and include information on how they are measured, as well as the status of each goal/objective. Please explain if there was an unexpected event that required significant chapter attention and affected your goals.

Chapter Finances

Describe your chapter's annual budgeting process. Please indicate how you relate the budget to your defined goals (eg. allocation of your resources based on identified priorities).

The Chapter Executive Committee approves the annual budget which is drafted by the Executive Director based on prior year expenditures and new initiatives. Monthly financial reports are prepared by the Executive Assistant, approved by the Chapter Executive Director and submitted to the Treasurer for review. These reports are then approved at quarterly Executive Committee meetings. A CPA conducts an annual review and prepares the IRS 990. During the 2004-05 year, funds were added to the budget to conduct a survey of immunization barriers when LA's immunization rates for 2 year olds fell to second lowest in the nation.

Please describe in detail your chapter's efforts to secure non-dues revenue (e.g., grants, fundraising activities, etc.).

1-The Chapter seeks educational grants from pharmaceutical companies and others for the annual conference. A reception is held in the spring to outline the conference agenda and present participation levels. 2-The Chapter applied for and received a Foundation grant to continue mailing a 'door hanger' with safe practices/good health messages to every new parent in the state. The grant covered the cost of printing for one full year. (Note: 'door hanger' is actually mailed with the original copy of the birth certificate.) 3-The Chapter sought grants from vaccine companies to help underwrite the cost of the immunization survey. A letter was sent with summary information about the survey. 4-The Chapter obtains occasional grants to help underwrite the cost of publishing the newsletter.

Chapter Activities:

Please describe ongoing chapter projects that specifically relate to Advocacy, Education, Research, Service, and Policy Implementation.

Advocacy for Children:

The 2005 Regular Session of the Legislature was a fiscal only session but it allowed each member to pre-file up to five bills on any subject matter. The Chapter actively worked to pass the following pieces of legislation: HB 5 - Increases the penalties for leaving children unattended in motor vehicles. HB 203- Defines SCHIP coverage as qualifying coverage in order to allow parents who lose eligibility to enroll in group plans without waiting for open enrollment and without being subject to preexisting condition clauses. HB 547-Creates the crime of computer-aided solicitation of minors for sexual purposes. SB 270-Provides for Medicaid waiver to create a pool of dispro funds to expand primary care services to low income, uninsured persons. HB 651-Provides mechanism for information sharing between Dept. of Education/Free and Reduced Lunch Program and the Dept. of Health and Hospitals/Medicaid Eligibility Unit. HB 880-Provides for sharing of information about children between state agencies that provide services to children and families. SB 146-Limits contents and hours of operation of school vending machines. SB 161-For children in the custody of the state, terminates voluntary placement of children with relatives without court supervision. SB 190-Major rewrite of state laws relative to developmental disabilities programs; provides uniform set of rights, consent/capacity to consent, and single point of entry to the system; also, consolidates licensure and services in same department. SB 243-Amends law relative to mandatory reporters for child abuse to conform to federal legislation requirements for reporting drug affected newborns. SCR 52-Study group to consider improving health and safety of student athletes; LA Chapter AAP specifically named in resolution. In addition, fought back effort to require mandatory vision testing as a condition to entering kindergarten. The Chapter is also working with the Louisiana Immunization Access Advisory Committee, Shots for Tots, and the Office of Public Health Vaccine Program to enhance immunization rates in the state. This is one of the few areas of the budget that received increased funding thanks to efforts made by the Chapter.

Advocacy for Pediatricians:

The Chapter also worked actively for the following legislation: HB 485-Provides for the confidentiality of risk management information in medical malpractice cases; excludes expression of regret, apology, grief, sympathy, etc. made to a patient or relative as admission of guilt. HB 574-Addresses recredentialing of health care providers by health insurance issuers. HB 885-Provides claims payment definitions, determination of eligibility of enrollee, and other prompt payment issues related to health insurance. SB 184-Provides relative to the notification of medical review panels and to confidentiality of the patient compensation fund. The Chapter stimulated the Department of Health and Hospitals to conduct a Pediatric Subspecialist Charge Survey and will disseminate the results to the members. We also continue our work on standardized student health forms as a result of 2004 Chapter-sponsored legislation.

Professional Education:

The Chapter now sponsors an annual CME conference in the fall in conjunction with the LA AAP Foundation. This conference presents cutting edge topics for practicing pediatricians and participation continues to build. Both national and local speakers serve on the faculty. The agenda is set by the Chapter CME Committee which solicits input from both private practicing pediatricians and academicians. The Chapter newsletter, "Progress Notes", includes articles of an educational nature as well.

Public Education:

The Chapter responds to press inquiries and maintains a website with public information available. We provide pediatric information to a variety of state initiatives including Newborn Screening, Lead Prevention, Newborn Hearing, the Perinatal Commission, Louisiana SafeKIDS, Childcare and Development Block Grant, Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, SIDS Awareness and others. The Chapter has been represented on the Advisory Board for the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant and, as a result, the number one goal of the strategic plan for that effort is to ensure that all primary health care providers receive the AAP training on providing a medical home.

Research:

The Chapter supports the research efforts at the three medical schools and the fourth residency program. Chapter representatives offer their services for beta sites requested by AAP. The Chapter recently worked with Louisiana State University to conduct a survey to determine barriers to achieving adequate immunization rates.

Service:

The Chapter has representatives on the following boards and commissions: Children's Cabinet, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Covering Kids and Families Initiative State Advisory Board, HIV/AIDS Commission, Louisiana Health Care Commission, Folic Acid Council, LA SafeKIDS Board of Directors, Birth Defects Advisory Board, LA Immunization Access Advisory Committee, Genetics Advisory Board, State Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Steps (Part C, IDEA), LA Partnership for Children and Families (Executive Board), LA Maternal and Child Health Coalition Board of Directors, Prevent Child Abuse LA, Healthy Life Style Choices, Medicaid Primary Care Advisory Commitee and Sub-Committee on CommunityCARE, Fluoridation Advisory Board, Child Death Review Panel, Lead Screening Advisory Board, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Advisory Group, Children's Trust Fund Board of Directors, Commission on Perinatal Care and Reduction of Infant Mortality, LA Public Health Association Board of Directors, LA Aging and Disabilities Consortium, LA Diabetes Initiative Council, LA EMS-C Advisory Board, LA Task Force on Health Literacy, LA Obesity Commission, and LA Medical Care Advisory Board (chaired by Chapter ED).

Implementing Policy:

The Chapter works closely with the Department of Health and Hospitals to implement policy and assure that children's needs receive priority attention. Recent work has focused on improving primary care and reducing the state's dependence on institutional services. The Governor has created a Health Reform Task Force that includes national experts and the Chapter carefully monitors the work of the statewide group and participates on the Regional Consortia created as part of the reform effort. In addition, the LA Health Care Commission, which is housed in the Department of Insurance, addresses private insurance policy issues and the Chapter Executive Director has a seat on this Commission. She actively participates in work groups that are established to develop policy.

Please describe ongoing chapter activities that relate to the following national priority areas: Mental Health, Obesity, Immunizations, Smoking/Tobacco, and Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Mental Health:

The Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems grant is working on children's mental health issues and the Chapter representatives have been very involved in this planning process. The strategic plan calls for statewide training for early childhood providers in the social-emotional development of young children as well as the assessment and intervention principles appropriate to the type of provider and setting. In addition, the plan calls for the development and expansion of best practice mental health services for children birth to age five. The Chapter's CME conference for 2005 agenda includes a full day of workshops on child mental health issues. A Chapter member, Mary Margaret Gleason, is developing a survey tool to be administered in pediatric offices to identify patients who are at risk for mental health disease. The Chapter worked with Dr. Gleason to apply for the AAP Healthy People 2010 Grant but it was not funded. We are currently searching for support to test the instrument in a pediatric office.

Obesity:

The Chapter works closely with the LA Obesity Commission, which is chaired by the Chapter Vice President, Stewart Gordon. We support legislative initiatives, training, and program activities geared to reducing childhood obesity. The school vending legislation resulted from this effort.

Immunizations:

The Chapter is very concerned about early childhood immunization rates and commissioned a survey to determine barriers. Results of that survey are expected to be available in early July. The Chapter promotes LINKS (LA's Immunization Network for Kids Statewide) and encourages member pediatricians to enroll and participate in the statewide registry. The Chapter also promotes VFC participation and works with the VFC provider to identify problem areas and improve services to individual pediatric offices. The Chapter has advocated for the inclusion of a standardized immunization data bank, based on the state registry, for the standardized student health form.

Smoking/Tobacco:

The Chapter supported an increase in tobacco taxes during the 2005 Regular Session of the Legislature. Local pediatricians have been active in supporting local clean indoor air ordinances in a number of communities. The Chapter sent a representative, Eric Baumgartner, to the Smoke Free Homes conference and plans are being developed for a joint project with the LA Public Health Institute to implement the program.

Children with Special Health Care Needs:

The Chapter has sponsored several regional training sessions on the Medical Home. The Chapter works with Early Steps (Part C, IDEA) to ensure that current information about the services and access points of that program are available to our members. The Chapter also has a representative that meets regularly with the LA Aging and Disabilities Consortium and supports their agenda. The Chapter representative to the AAP Child Care Conference, Patty Peairs, is working with a group of advocates to address quality issues and inclusion of special needs children. In addition, the Chapter ED is working with a major foundation to develop alternative care models for medically fragile children, especially those who are technology dependent.

Membership Development

Has your membership increased or decreased in the past year?

Increased

What do you consider to be the one activity which has engendered the greatest participation of your chapter's membership?

Targeted efforts have been made to encourage pediatric faculty at the four teaching programs to become members of the chapter.

Describe all membership recruitment and retention activities:

Communication is key to our membership recruitment and retention efforts. We use our website, our newsletter, and our annual conference to keep members informed of the work that the Chapter does on their behalf.

Please describe activities that engage the following member types:

Medical Students:

The Chapter supports Pediatric Interest Groups at LSU New Orleans, Tulane, and LSU Shreveport.

Residents:

The Chapter offers a scholarship for up to two residents to study abroad during their residency.

Medical subspecialists:

The Chapter has medical subspecialists representatives to the Chapter Executive Committee and works to assure that all efforts related to payment issues address their issues. The Chapter worked with the Department of Health and Hospitals to create updated information about fees for this group.

Surgical specialists:

The Chapter has surgical specialist representatives to the Chapter Executive Committee and works to assure that all efforts related to payment issues address their concerns. The Chapter worked with the Department of Health and Hospitals to create updated information about fees for this group.

Academicians:

The Pediatric Chairs of the four residency programs serve as ex-officio members of the Chapter Executive Committee with vote. They also serve on the Chapter CME Committee and work to identify faculty for the annual conference.

Seniors:

Dr. Betty Oseid is actively working to re-activate the "Double Nickel" group. A survey was conducted to determine the interest of pediatricians 55 and older to provide services and to have fellowship activities. Dr. Oseid is recruiting leaders for the "Double Nickel" in each of the major urban areas.

Minorities:

The Chapter leadership includes minorities and the Chapter is mindful of the disparate health outcomes of the minority populations and works to improve access to care for those populations.

Chapter Administration / Structure / Governance:

What type of orientation is provided for new officers and new committee chairpersons within your chapter? Please describe:

The Chapter developed job descriptions for officers and committees that set out expectations. The Nominating Committee, which is elected by the membership, provides an orientation as part of their process. The Chapter also encourages Chapter leaders to attend regional and national AAP meetings.

What activities does your chapter engage in to support the continued growth and development of its leadership and staff (e.g. implementation of Pediatric Alliance Leadership principles, mentor program, professional educational seminars, etc.)?

The Chapter continues to support the AAP Legislative Conference and sent two representatives in 2005: a general pediatrician and a pediatric sub-specialist. The Chapter plans to send the Executive Director and the Chair of the State Government Affairs Committee to the Summit in 2005. The CATCH co-chairs were encouraged to attend the CATCH meeting and one attended with chapter support.

This completes the reporting section and the ten-page limit. Please see the following page in order to complete the summary and Special Achievement Award section. Your chapter report must be RECEIVED no later than June 30, 2005. Copies of the report will automatically be forwarded to the appropriate District Chairperson, District Vice Chairperson, President, Vice President, Chapter Executive Director, and Barb Dayment.

Chapters submitting reports after June 30th will not be eligible for consideration of the Outstanding Chapter Award and the Award of Chapter Excellence. If you have any questions regarding the annual report form, please contact Pat Stien, Manager, District Relations, at 800/433-9016, ext. 7933, or by e-mail at pstien@aap.org.

Summary

Please summarize, in 1-2 paragraphs, your chapter's MAIN activities. This summary will be used for press releases and promotional pieces, should your chapter be selected for an award (for example, how would you describe, briefly, what your chapter is all about?)

The Louisiana Chapter is a stable and solid workhorse for children, its members, and the Academy. The Chapter has an aggressive legislative agenda, works to meet member needs, makes AAP initiatives a priority, and responds to local issues. Its membership is growing and the number of members who participate directly in Chapter activities continues to increase. The Chapter also provides quality continuing medical education. About half of Louisiana's children are enrolled in Medicaid/SCHIP. Maintaining and expanding that eligibility while maintaining the full array of benefits, strengthening the medical home, and improving fees for providers are of major importance. The Chapter has a number of initiatives underway to improve child health including immunization rates, injury prevention, and school health. Chapter representatives attended AAP-sponsored meetings including the 2005 Legislative Conference, the Healthy Child Care America meeting, and the Smoke Free Homes Symposium and those representatives are involved in Chapter efforts to further the initatives.

Special Achievement Awards

After reviewing all the reports, the District Vice Chairpersons (DVC) Committee identifies individual member achievements, as well as successful chapter projects, that they believe are innovative and worthy of consideration for a Special Achievement Award. Special Achievement Awards recognize outstanding AAP work of individuals or chapter achievements.

To assist the DVCs in their effort, please briefly highlight projects below that you consider to be bright and innovative. Please indicate whether these are "chapter" projects, or projects spearheaded by an individual member. If it is a member project, please identify the member so that he or she can be considered for a Special Achievement Award.

1. Louisiana has enjoyed relatively high immunization rates for children under two but changes in administration at the Office of Public Health resulted in moving the state to next to last in the US. The Chapter worked with the Department of Health and Hospitals to establish a State Immunization Access Advisory Committee. Three meetings have been held and statewide attention was focused on early childhood immunizations in May when the CDC Immunization Program Director visited the state, held two press conferences and one grand rounds at Children's Hospital in New Orleans. The Chapter commissioned a survey of pediatricians and family practitioners to determine barriers to improving immunization rates. Results of the survey are expected in mid-July 2005. The data will be used to develop a plan of action to educate physicians about the barriers and show them how they can help improve immunization rates. A media campaign is also planned to help educate parents about the importance of maintaining the immunization schedule for their young children. The Chapter coordinates with the state's immunization registry, LINKS (LA's Immunization Network for Kids Statewide), to make it more user friendly and helpful for pediatricians. And, Chapter advocacy efforts resulted in increased funding for the immunization program in the recently concluded Regular Session of the Legislature. 2. In the 2004 Louisiana Legislature, the Chapter successfully passed a statute authorizing standardized school health forms. A task force was created that included practicing pediatricians, school nurses, school athletic organizations, school health clinics, public and private school administrators, and other stakeholders to create a standard set of forms. Five forms have been developed and will be pretested during the 2005-06 school year. Following that effort, final changes will be made and the forms will be adopted through the Administrative Procedures Act. The forms will be available on the websites of the Chapter, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Hospitals. The most important form, the new student health form, will replace over 300 different forms currently in use. Although the law is specific to public schools, the private school representatives that participated have indicated an interest in adopting the forms for their use as well. The final results of this project will save time, improve the consistency of information, and facilitate studies of various school health issues.