Leading for Change: Vermont’s OAA Nutrition Program Amy Nickerson, MS, RD, CD Senior Planner Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living 4th State Units on Aging Nutritionists & Administrators Conference August 2006

What were/are SUA expectations? Initially (meal program): Menu review/meal site visits & monitoring Respond to AAA request for technical assistance Eventually (nutrition program) Build AAA level for provision of nutrition services: nutrition screening (including follow up), nutrition ed & nutrition counseling Provide in-service education training to NP providers, AAA & HHA case managers, AAA nutrition program staff Develop NP monitoring protocol & tool for AAA use with providers Area Plan and State Plan on Aging input/feedback

What are SUA expectations? Presently (nutrition & healthy aging) Administer/oversee all things food and nutrition –OAA Nutrition Program (planning, implementation, training, monitoring, evaluation) Nutrition Program administration Health promotion/disease prevention –Collaboration with VT Department of Health »Blueprint for Health –Food Stamp Outreach –Commodity Supplemental Food Program –Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program

What are SUA expectations? Presently (continued) Provide input/perspective for DAIL policy/procedure/system food and nutrition changes as they relate to health & well-being of older adults Administer AoA Senior Center Earmark grant Provide input/guidance to Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging Provide input/guidance on food and nutrition policies/regs for: PACE, RCH, Adult Day, Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Develop statewide nutrition/health messages that are consistent and across the lifespan (SNAP)

What are SUA expectations? Future (comprehensive linkages of nutrition, physical activity &food security initiatives/services/programs that promote independent living) Continue to administer OAA Nutrition Program –Program planning, implementation, monitoring & evaluation Continue with all things food and nutrition for target populations, including access to food and physical activity programs Collaborate with the Health Department to promote older adult health & reduce burden of chronic disease

What are SUA expectations? Future (continued) Bring EBP into VT’s network of aging service providers Develop capacity for HP/DP initiatives for adults with disabilities Identify ways to support senior centers Build capacity for prevention into Choices for Care (1115 waiver)

Healthy Aging Initiative in VT: Unexpected Change Vermont’s Evolution of OAA HP/DP initiatives SAIL (multidisciplinary in the trenches providers): Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging (think tank; policy): Isolated, disconnected efforts; attempt to rely on VT’s Blueprint for Health to pull it together (VDH/Governor initiative): ?

What Does Amy Think She Should Be Doing? Continue involvement with any programmatic or system initiative that impacts food, nutrition and health status of older adults (be at the table) –Adult Day Sites, Nursing Facilities, Res Care Homes, Assisted Living Facilities –PACE – VT –Cash & Counseling/Consumer Directed Service –Real Choices Systems Change Health & Long Term Care Integration Project

What Does Amy Think She Should Be Doing? OAA Nutrition Program –Write the nutrition and HP/DP sections of State Plan on Aging –Provide input on Area Plan on Aging process & review the AP’s submitted by AAA’s (nutrition, HP/DP sections) –Develop AAA NP monitoring protocol and OAA Policy and Procedures –Provide TA to AAA NP staff & consulting RD’s –Innovative statewide training for nutrition providers/contractors, case managers –Promote statewide nutrition education plan/toolkit –Evaluate nutrition/HP/DP programs and services

What Does Amy Think She Should Be Doing? Provide training & TA for HCBS & facility-based LTC consulting RD’s Active involvement Governor’s Commission on Healthy Aging Promote EBP Programs UVM Center for Aging UVM Dietetic Internship/MS program Track program outcomes and tell the story (report data) Convince DAIL management that additional RD staffing is needed

How Will Amy Get There? Patience Tireless advocacy Communicate with providers & their consultants Network with other SUA nutritionists and GN HCBS members Document unmet need Continue triage skills Keep my ears open Recognize time constraints for involvement with programs/initiatives

Thanks! Amy Nickerson, MS, RD, CD Senior Planner Vermont Dept of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living 103 South Main Street Weeks Building Waterbury, VT Phone: Fax: