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Dietetics in Health Care Communities DPG (formerly CD-HCF DPG)

Practitioners employed full time, part time or under contract who provide nutrition care services to acute and long-term-care facilities, home care companies, healthcare agencies, corrections and the foodservice industry.

Dietetic Practice Group #31
Visit DHCC's Web Site at: www.dhccdpg.org  

Dietetics in Health Care communities (DHCC) supports innovative practice through manuals, workshops, newsletters and protocol research. Members practice in long-term care, assisted living, home health care, correctional facilities and other settings. Chair Carol Elliot, RD, LD, LN, says, "DHCC is committed to leading the future of dietetics by strengthening members with food, nutrition and management skills that promote quality of life for the people we serve. Providing our members with the most up-to-date information and tools needed is top priority."

The group continues to revise its publications, develop new materials and pursue more frequent communication with members via the quarterly newsletter, the Update (sent out electronically between quarterly publications), the DHCC Web site and the electronic mailing list.

• Chair: Carol H. Elliot, RD, LDN 
• Chair-elect: Brenda Richardson, MA, RD, LD, CD 
• Treasurer: Sharon Emley, MS, RD, LD 
• Secretary: Mary M. Rybicki, MS, RD, LDN
• Past Chair:  Linda Roberts, MS, RD, LDN

Membership Total

4800

Sub-units

• Corrections: The Corrections sub-unit is the advocate for registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered, working in the field of corrections through current information, trends, regulations, research, tools and networking opportunities. The sub-unit shares professional information among colleagues to advance the impact of nutrition in all types of correctional facilities. Effective communication and exchange of ideas is essential to publicizing the benefits of utilizing the registered dietitian in the correctional environment. A quarterly column in the newsletter.
  
• Home Health Care: The Home Care sub-unit shares professional information among colleagues to advance the impact of nutrition throughout the home health care system. The Home Care sub-unit is an advocacy and resource group for members who provide medical nutrition therapy to the home-based patient. A quarterly column in the newsletter.
  
• California Geographic Sub-Unit 

Connections is the quarterly publication addressing current topics in geriatric nutrition, long-term care, corrections, home care, food safety and sanitation and includes continuing professional education (CPEU) credit. Members receive the publication as part of their membership service. Members also receive UPDATE! newsletters three to four times yearly. The UPDATE! is published electronically to bring members information on timely topics pertinent to their daily work and practice. DHCC sponsors a DPG electronic mailing list available to members through the Web site: www.dhccdpg.org.  For parties interested in receiving the newsletter who are ineligible for ADA membership, subscriptions are available at $10 per issue.

Contact DHCC, Marla Carlson, 2219 Cardinal Dr., Waterloo, Iowa 50701-1007, phone: 319/235-0991, fax 319/235-7224.

Publications Offered Through ADA

• Dining Skills Video & Study Guide (1993)
• Dining Skills: Practical Interventions for the Caregivers of the Eating Disabled Older Adult (2001)
• Pocket Resource for Nutrition Assessment — 2005 Revision
• Nutrition Care of the Older Adult: A Handbook for Dietetic Professionals Working Throughout the Continuum of Care (1998) — second edition (2004)
• Nutrition Risk Assessment Form, Guide & Strategies (1999)
• Pocket Resource for Management (2006)  
• Nutrition Essentials for the Home Care Dietitian (2008) 
• Nutrition and Foodservice Management in Correctional Facilities 3rd edition (2008)   
• Steps to Success — The Business of Consulting (2002) — two CPEs
• Steps to Success — Food Service Management (2004) — CPEs available
• Inservice Module 1 — Sanitation (2002)
• Inservice Module 2 — Food Safety (2002)
• Inservice Module 3 — Dietary Staff (2005)
• Inservice Module 4 — Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) (2006)
• Eating Matters: A Training Manual for Feeding Assistants (2003)
• Manual for Feeding Assistants (2003)
• Survival Skills for Nutrition Services (2006)

To order by credit card or to receive an ADA Catalog of Products and Services, contact ADA Member Service Center, 800/877-1600, ext 5000, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central).

ADA Positions Involvement

• Management of health care food and nutrition services
• Legal and ethical issues in feeding permanently unconscious patients
• Nutrition, aging and the continuum of care
• Liberalization of the diet prescription improves quality of life for older adults in long-term care
• Providing nutrition services for infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities and special health care needs.

Awards, Grants, Scholarships and Stipends

• Circle Award (available to non-DHCC members)
• DHCC Scholarship Award (given to two students who are pursuing careers as consultants or in long-term care)
• Gaynold Jensen Educational Stipend (DHCC members only)
• DHCC Foundation Award (given to two students who are pursuing careers as consultants or in long-term care)
• Best Practice Awards (DHCC members only)
• Abbott Leadership Award (DHCC members only)
• F. Ann Gallagher Legislative Award (ADAF award for DHCC members only)
• Distinguished Member Award (DHCC members only)

Networking, Business Meetings, Continuing Professional Education Events, Receptions

• Networking: DHCC encourages members to network via the Members Electronic Mailing List (EML). To participate go to www.dhccdpg.org/ and click on the "members only" tab, then follow instructions to sign up for the Members EML.

ADA Advisory Committee Represented by DHCC Members

• National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel
• Joint Commission Professional and Technical Advisory Committee for Long-Term Care
• National Commission on Correctional Health Care
• Long Term Care Professional Leadership Council (LTCPLC)

Networks  

• American Correctional Food Service Association
• American Health Care Association
• American Medical Directors Association
• National Association of Home Care and Hospice
• National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform

Enhancement and Promotion of ADA's Strategic Plan

Many of the above mentioned products, services and events support ADA's strategic plan.  Legislative issues are addressed in the quarterly publication, Connections.  DHCC works closely with the ADA Washington Office regarding regulations and legislation impacting the DPG and currently serves in an advisory capacity regarding the Older Americans Act legislation.