| Many DC AAP members are unaware that membership dues cover only a fraction of the cost of DC AAP's work. If you would like to make a donation to support DC AAP's quality programming and invaluable advocacy for DC's children, please do so here. |
| LOCAL NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES |
| NATIONAL AAP NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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| The results are in! The DC AAP is pleased to announce the newly elected Board members and appointments starting July, 2016. Marcee White, MD, FAAP took the reins as Chapter President on July 1st, transitioning from her previous position as Vice-President/President Elect. We would like to extend our enormous appreciation to our outgoing President, Lanre Falusi, MD, FAAP, for serving as President of the chapter for the past two years. Under Lanre's outstanding leadership, the chapter has grown its membership, improved chapter communications, further developed community and government partnerships, expanded programming, and increased advocacy efforts on numerous child health issues. |
| Ankoor Shah, MD, MPH, FAAP was elected to a two-year term as Vice-President/President Elect. Gabrina Dixon, MD, FAAP will be returning as an At-large Board member, and Joelle Simpson, MD, MPH, FAAP will be joining the Board as a new At-large member. There was a strong slate of candidates for the two open At-large positions, demonstrating some of the diverse interests of DC AAP members. We appreciate that so many accomplished pediatricians are excited about dedicating their time and expertise to the chapter. DC AAP thanks Nina Scribanu, MD, FAAP, for her years of dedicated service as an At-Large Board member. |
| In July, two new voting resident representatives will join the Board, Alicia Widge, MD from Children's National and Ragini Shyam, MD from Georgetown. Many thanks to the outgoing resident representatives, Ankoor Shah, MD, MPH, FAAP (CNMC) and Meghan Maloney, MD, FAAP (Georgetown) for the time and energy they have devoted to the chapter. |
| There are still many opportunities to get involved with the DC AAP. A list of the active committees is available on the website (www.aapdc.org), and there are openings for leaders on the Nominating, School Health, and Communications (including social media) Committees. Please contact Executive Director, Nancy Schoenfeld (nancy.schoenfeld@aapdc.org), a member of the Board, a committee chair or come to an open Board meeting if you're interested in getting more involved! |
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| Register to Attend DC AAP & GW Rodham Institute's Happy Hour on Trauma Informed Care - July 19, 2016! |
| DC AAP will co-host a DC Community Health Connect happy hour and networking event on trauma informed care with George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences' Rodham Institute on Tuesday, July 19 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Busboys and Poets at 2021 14th St NW (14th and V Location). |
| Space is limited and filling fast. Complimentary drinks and light appetizers will be provided. Like/follow DC AAP on Facebook and Twitter to be entered into the raffle to win a free iPad mini. |
| We invite you to join community-based health care providers to discuss how to integrate trauma informed care into clinical practice and how to build community partnerships to promote resilience in our communities. |
| Brief remarks by several featured guests from the DC government, area universities, and community-based organizations will be followed by time to network with fellow child health providers and community partners. |
- community level systems of trauma informed care
- building partnerships with community resources
- integrating trauma informed care into clinical practice
- support for maternal mental health, including perinatal and postpartum depression
- home visiting services
- parenting and fatherhood development classes
- strategies to support LGBTQ youth wellness in clinical behavioral health practice
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| As a follow up to DC AAP's Spring Symposium on toxic stress, this informal and educational community health happy hour is part of DC AAP's work with the Bainum Family Foundation's Birth-to-Three Policy Alliance to encourage a District-wide conversation about how to lessen the impact of adverse childhood experiences on the health of young children. |
| Dr. El-Bayoumi, the Director/Founder of the Rodham Institute and Dr. Marcee White, President of the DC AAP, will welcome our featured guests, including: |
- Brenda Donald, MPA, DC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services
- Jenny Crawford, J.D., LCSW-C, Integrated Behavioral Health Director, CCI Health & Wellness Services
- Aimee Danielson, PhD, Founder and Director of the Women's Mental Health Program, Georgetown University Hospital
- Rebecca Heagy, LICSW, Family Services Coordinator, Georgia Avenue Family Support Collaborative
- Mia Morrison, MPH, Healthy Families America Program Manager, Mary's Center
- Timothy Elliott, LICSW, Psychotherapist and Coordinator of LGBT Youth Mental Health Programs, Whitman-Walker Health
- Jennafer Kwait, PhD, MHS, LGBT Research Manager, Whitman-Walker Health
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| In addition, staff members of DC MAP (DC Mental Health Access in Pediatrics) will be available to discuss how pediatricians can utilize this resource to improve mental health integration within pediatric primary care. |
The American Academy of Pediatrics, DC Chapter
The Bainum Family Foundation
and George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences' Rodham Institute |
| We look forward to having you join us for an opportunity to connect and socialize with local child health providers in DC and learn about community resources and strategies to improve community level systems of care. |
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| DC AAP Testifies Before DC Council on Dangers of Lead Exposure |
| Lead testing in public facilities got the D.C. Council's attention during a June 22 public hearing. This was in swift response to recent concerns about lead found in public schools, libraries, and recreation centers' drinking water. Coincidentally, the new, stricter AAP Lead Policy Statement, Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity, was published days before the hearing. The DC AAP accordingly took the opportunity to advocate for children by testifying about the dangers of lead exposure and the need for primary prevention practices. DC AAP Board Member, Lenore Jarvis MD, MEd, FAAP, spoke at the hearing on behalf of DC AAP. |
| There is no safe lead level for children, DC AAP emphasized in its testimony. Mounting evidence shows that even lead levels below 5 μg/dL (50 ppb) can lead to cognitive impairment and behavioral concerns in children. Evidence-based, cost-effective guidance is available to decrease lead not only in water but also in housing, soil, and consumer products. Public policy should focus on eliminating lead exposure, including taking steps to ensure that water in public facilities does not exceed lead concentrations of 1 ppb. |
| Councilmembers were engaged and receptive to the DC AAP testimony and asked multiple follow-up questions. This afforded AAP the opportunity to further educate councilmembers about signs and symptoms of lead toxicity, sources of lead exposure, lead screening practices, and recommended policies for lead standards and prevention measures. Councilmember Charles Allen tweeted several quotes from the DC AAP testimony, and the AAP guidelines were later shared by several local news sources, including NBC 4, Fox 5, and The Washington Post. |
| Mayor Muriel Bowser's administration and the Department of General Services are responding. They have announced the District's new 1 ppb lead standard, similar to AAP guidelines, rather than the current EPA standard of 15 ppb. The District also plans to install filters on all drinking water sources at public schools, public libraries, and recreation centers by the end of 2016. |
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| Claim Your CME Credit for DC AAP's Spring Meeting |
| If you are one of the 57 participants — over half of the guests at DC AAP's Annual Spring Meeting on April 14, 2016 — who turned in your completed CME paperwork, you are now able to claim 2.5 CME credits for attending DC AAP's Symposium on Understanding and Addressing Toxic Stress and Adverse Childhood Experiences. Participants eligible to receive the CME credits include physicians, fellows and candidate members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. |
| Your contact information has been uploaded into AAP's official PediaLink Transcript system, and you can now record the 2.5 CME credits earned from attending DC AAP's Annual Spring Meeting to your annual AAP transcript. Credits must be recorded within one (1) year of the CME activity. |
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| District Government Adopts New Lead Testing Policy Based on AAP Report |
| District agencies will support newly released American Academy of Pediatrics action threshold |
| Deputy City Administrator Kevin Donahue announced that the DC Department of General Services will move to incorporate a 1 PPB (part-per-billion) action level for lead tests on drinking water sources in District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) centers. The effort comes on the heels of last week's report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity, that lead testing resulting in a reading of more than 1 PPB should be immediately remediated. |
| "Lead exposure in children is preventable, and we will be working diligently to set policy at our facilities that goes far beyond EPA standards," said Kevin Donahue, Deputy City Administrator. "By investing the time, training, and resources to follow the new recommendations outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics, we will ensure that the District continues to do everything it can to protect our children, and limit students' exposure to lead." |
| Under the current operating policy, drinking water sources in District public schools and recreation centers testing at or above 15 PPB are fitted with a filter or taken out of operation. The sources are returned to operation once follow-up testing yields a clean reading. Following recent findings of lead in water at a small number of schools, District officials completed testing of all water sources at every single District of Columbia Public School and recreation center, per the direction of Mayor Muriel Bowser. This newly implemented policy will bring a more rigorous approach to the testing. |
| The new policy is estimated to cost the District nearly $2 million at the onset, which includes the installation of filters on all drinking water sources at public schools, public libraries, and recreation centers. Implementation is expected to be completed this calendar year. The District will also work with District of Columbia Public Charter Schools and District of Columbia Public Libraries to install filters on drinking water sources. The expected annual cost of $1.5 million will support regular testing, maintenance, and supplies for District of Columbia Public Schools and recreation centers. |
| For more information on lead testing and exposure in the District visit mayor.dc.gov/lead. |
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| Schedule a Lead Exposure/ Screening CME Presentation at Your Practice This Summer! |
| The Mid-Atlantic Center for Children's Health and the Environment at Georgetown University is offering free educational sessions on lead screening, prevention, and management this summer. These sessions will offer continuing education credit for physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners. Arrangements can be made to conduct the presentation at your office/practice. |
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| DC Council Approves AED/CPR in Schools Legislation |
| After months of advocacy led by the American Heart Association and joined by DC AAP and other area organizations, the DC Council unanimously approved AED/CPR in Schools legislation on June 21st. The law requires all high school students to learn CPR in health class; requires an AED in all schools; and strengthens CPR training requirements for several categories of DC governmental and school employees. |
| The 2017 budget includes $325,000 to purchase AEDs for all public schools in DC. The bill now goes to Mayor Bowser for signature, and then will be sent to Congress for their required review. We expect the bill to be official law in late September. As a result of our collaborative advocacy effort, all students in DC schools will learn CPR and every school will have an AED. Lives will be saved! |
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| Catch up on DC MAP (Mental Health Access in Pediatrics) News |
 IN THIS ISSUE: Assessing Hallucinations, Helping to Manage Patients with Psychosis, DC MAP information and enrollment
Spotlight on Psychosis
Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating mental illness that often first presents during adolescence and rarely in childhood. As a pediatric provider, you may be at the front lines in seeing a patient who discloses concerning psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations, for the first time. However, reports of hallucinations by children in clinical populations are relatively common, and most of the time do not portend a true psychotic illness. |
Assessing Hallucinations
In assessing youth who present with hallucinations, delusional thoughts, or disorganized thinking or behavior, it can be helpful to keep in mind a few common themes, including premorbid functioning and background, as well as recent level of functioning. |
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| Save the Date - 11th Annual DC Immunization Conference - Monday, July 18 |
- Learn the latest immunization information
- Networking opportunities with District health care providers and immunization partners
- Talks from national and local experts
Information and Register Online »
Registration Deadline: July 11th
Contact dena@ecbt.org with questions
Conference organizers have applied for continuing education credit |
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| International Meeting of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine to be Held in DC |
 The 21st Annual International Meeting presented by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine will feature world-class speakers providing cutting-edge research and clinical information on current issues in breastfeeding medicine, spanning both maternal and child health.
Visit Conference Site »
View Brochure » |
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| DC Medicaid Update: EPSDT Summer News |
| Healthy Students Are Better Learners |
| To ensure that all District of Columbia (DC) students have the opportunity to be healthy and successful, District law requires all children to submit a DC Universal Health Certificate (UHC) and Oral Health Assessment (OHA) form each year as a part of school enrollment. These forms document an annual visit to the primary care provider and primary dental provider - to be valid for school reporting purposes. The UHC and OHA the primary sources of information used by schools to document a child's health status. Click here to see what steps you can take to ensure your patients are healthy and ready to learn for the next school year! |
| School is Out - But the Meals Keep Coming! |
| When school lets out for summer, nearly 56,000 District children lose access to the school breakfast and lunches they rely on during the year to keep hunger at bay. Fortunately, the D.C. Free Summer Meals Program continues to provide free nutritious meals and snacks to low-income children June through August. Help spread the word to the families you serve by: |
- Hanging D.C. Free Summer Meals Flyers in your waiting room. Click here to access summer meal flyers in English, Spanish, and Amharic.
- Helping patients and families find the nearest meal site before leaving your office.
- Text FOOD to 877-877 or Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY
- Visit www.dcsummermeals.dc.gov
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| Integrating Oral Health into a Well-Child Visit |
| Oral health assessments are a required part of every primary care well-child visit for young children so that primary care providers can assist in identifying children who need dental care. In addition to oral health assessments, the application of fluoride varnish on children under the age of 3 is a Medicaid covered dental service in a primary care setting. Check out our new Oral Health Toolkit on DC HealthCheck to access our latest Medicaid resources, including information on Medicaid reimbursable oral health services, the DC Medicaid dental benefits brochure, fluoride varnish training for PCPs, and links to oral health practice tools and resources. |
| Pediatricians and EPSDT Providers - Have You Completed Your HealthCheck Training? |
| All Primary Care Providers serving Medicaid beneficiaries under the age of 21 are required to complete HealthCheck training every two years. The web-based training can be accessed at www.dchealthcheck.net and provides 5 free CME credits. Visit www.dchealthcheck.net today to complete your HealthCheck training requirement and to browse the available provider resources. |
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| DC Government's No Shots No School Policy |
| GET YOUR CHILD READY FOR SCHOOL! |
| All students attending DC public, charter, private and parochial schools must have all required immunizations before the next school year begins. Download Brochure » |
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| DC Immunization Registry Updates |
| The DC Immunization Registry (DoCIIS) algorithm has been changed to be entirely consistent with the ACIP recommendations. It now flags children as due the day they enter the recommended age/interval for a dose and then overdue on the day after exiting the recommended age/interval. Previously, there was inconsistency among the vaccinations in the timing of when the algorithm flagged children as overdue with some being labelled as overdue at points within the range of the recommended age/interval. |
| As a reminder, the DC Immunization Registry, now called DoCIIS (District of Columbia Immunization Information System)), is located online at: https://immunization.doh.dc.gov/irswebapp/login.jsp. A DoCIIS password reset can now be requested in two ways: 1) by calling DoCIIS at 202-576-9301 - the phone will be answered by a live person who can reset your password; or 2) by going to the DOH DoCIIS homepage: http://doh.dc.gov/dociis and then clicking the link "DOCIIS (Registry) Password Reset Request." You must know your registry username to request a reset online. |
| For healthcare providers who have never had a registry login and password, to gain access to DoCIIS, prospective users must first view a ~30-minute, self-paced, online module "DoCIIS 100: The Basics," and pass a quiz. The easiest way to find the module is to google "DocIIS100: The Basics." Click the link to get to the webpage and then click "enroll" in the top right corner). |
| To encourage discussion with providers about the risks/benefits of HPV vaccination, HPV vaccine exemption forms will no longer be sent out with the school packets to students. They must be downloaded from the DOH website. Also, parents must now complete the exemption form annually. |
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| AAP Backs New ACIP Recommendation on Influenza Vaccine |
| I'm writing with information and resources to help our members make the transition for the upcoming 2016-'17 influenza season in light of the recent recommendation that health care providers should not use live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) due to poor effectiveness. The decision made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) impacts your practice, and we want to provide timely information to help in your planning. Orders for flu vaccine are pending for many pediatricians' offices around the country. |
| As background, on June 22, ACIP voted that, for the upcoming 2016-'17 influenza season, LAIV should not be used. The ACIP is a formal advisory body to the CDC and made up of medical experts and associations. Information about the ACIP's makeup can be found here. During the days leading up to this vote, the AAP worked closely with the ACIP Influenza Work Group to understand the scientific data on LAIV vaccine effectiveness from this past influenza season, and to view these new data in light of the two previous seasons. |
| Studies demonstrated that LAIV did not work in the 2013-'14 influenza season when the primary strain was the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) strain, in 2014-'15 when the primary circulating strain was a drifted A(H3N2) virus, or the 2015-'16 season when the primary circulating strain was again the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) strain. With knowledge that LAIV had no protective benefit during the past three influenza seasons, ACIP could not recommend its use in the upcoming 2016-'17 influenza season. |
| By the day of the ACIP vote, the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases and the Board of Directors all had reached the same conclusion about not using LAIV for the upcoming influenza season. |
| We have reached out to the manufacturer of LAIV and will be following closely both the need for pediatricians to cancel LAIV orders successfully, and to obtain additional quantities of injectable vaccine. A "Dear HealthCare Provider" letter regarding FluMist with additional information from the manufacturer can be found here. In order to facilitate the timely cancellation of your LAIV orders we have collated available information here, obtained from members and verified with distributors. This website will be updated frequently as more information becomes available. |
| The absence of an intranasal option is likely to be disappointing for many families. As flu season approaches, we will be sending speaking points for your conversations with patients and families about this change in influenza vaccination practice and providing resources for you to refer to on HealthyChildren.org. |
| Look to the next issue of AAP News for additional coverage. |
| Thank you for all you do for children every day. Please reach out to Dr. Roger Suchyta, Associate Executive Director (rsuchyta@aap.org) if you have additional questions. |
Best Regards,
Karen Remley, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAP
CEO/Executive Director |
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| Supreme Court Split Decision on Policies Protecting Immigrant Children is a Profoundly Disappointing Setback |
| "Today's 4-4 decision in U.S. vs Texas blocks implementation of President Obama's attempt to keep immigrant parents and their children together without the fear of deportation. It is a profoundly disappointing setback for immigrant children, youth and families across the country who came here in search of opportunity but now will continue to see their families torn apart. |
| "The Supreme Court's affirmation of the lower court's decision, which rejects President Obama's legal authority to create the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) expansion policies, will have a major impact on the lives of millions of immigrant families who live with the fear of deportation and separation from their children, parents, and grandparents. The American Academy of Pediatrics previously signed an amicus brief to the Court urging support for expanded DACA and DAPA for this reason. |
| "Far too many children in this country live in constant fear that their parents will be taken into custody or deported, and this prolonged anguish takes a toll on their health, can lead to loss of income, poor school performance, unstable housing and food insecurity. All children should be able to pursue a high-quality education, remain united with their families, and access health care services. We can and must do better for immigrant children and youth, who did not choose where they or their parents were born or how they came to this country, and for their parents, who are building their lives here, pay taxes, and help grow our economy. |
| "While today's failure by the Supreme Court to side one way or the other is disappointing, our work is not over. Pediatricians will continue to fight on behalf of the immigrant families they care for and their right to be treated with humanity and compassion. We will continue to work toward a more permanent solution to fix our immigration system and advocate for policies that protect immigrant children and families. |
| "We need to speak of immigrant children not as a political problem but as an integral part of the fabric and strength of our country. The mission of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to protect the health and well-being of all children, regardless of where they were born, and pediatricians will hold our state and federal governments to that same standard." |
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| AAP Statement on Senate Failure to Pass Gun Safety Amendments |
| "Today, members of the United States Senate failed to pass common-sense amendments that would have helped protect children from gun violence by expanding background checks on all firearm purchases and making it more difficult for suspected terrorists to buy guns. It is especially discouraging that in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in our nation's history, our elected officials could not come together to pass basic bipartisan proposals to make our country safer. It is even more disheartening when compared against past failures of our elected leaders to act, but pediatricians understand all too well the toll gun violence takes on a community, and we will not give up our push for meaningful action. |
| "We have lost far too many young lives to gun violence. Today, the Senate missed a critical opportunity to lay a foundation for strong federal policies to keep children safe, but pediatricians will not give up our fight against this preventable public health crisis. We will keep advocating for our nation's leaders - both those running for office and those who are currently serving - to allow science to prevail over politics so that we can work together to make our country safer." |
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| The American Academy of Pediatrics is seeking a member physician to: provide strategic guidance and executive management and support for pediatric practice, subspecialty pediatrics, physician payment, macro system structure of child health nancing, and health policy research speci c to children's health insurance status and the changing structure of practice-based operations; provide support to members to enhance practices for managing the health of populations of patients and expand the practice team to include families and a broader range of professional services, to successfully participate and thrive in emerging value-based payment systems, and to leverage technology, beyond EHRs, in providing quality care, empowering families and demonstrating value. |
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| CATCH Planning, Implementation, and Resident Grant Opportunities Available - Applications Accepted Through JULY 29th |
THE 2017 CYCLE 1 CATCH CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS OPEN
Applications due by 2:00 pm central time July 29, 2016 |
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS
Up to $10,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to individual pediatricians and fellowship trainees to plan innovative community-based child health initiatives that will ensure all children have medical homes, are properly immunized, and have access to health care services not otherwise available in their community. |
| All pediatricians are eligible to apply regardless of employment setting or retirement status. |
| Outreach must be to the community at large, not to practice or clinic patients only. |
| All initiatives should incorporate screening for or connecting children to medical homes, immunization services, and available insurance programs. |
RESIDENT GRANTS
Up to $2,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis for pediatric residents to plan and/or implement community-based child health initiatives. Projects must include planning activities or demonstrate completed planning activities, and may include implementation activities. |
RESIDENT OBESITY GRANT OPPORTUNITY
The AAP Section on Obesity has partnered with CATCH in the funding of Resident Grants whose primary topic is overweight and obesity, nutrition, or physical activity. The mission of the Section is to improve the health and well-being of children and families by reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity and promoting healthy active living. These grants are part of the general call for proposals and therefore must follow the same application and reporting procedures and meet the same eligibility and selection criteria. Funding for these obesity-specific grants is made possible through the support of the AAP Friends of Children Fund. |
| Eligibility requirement - postgraduate status |
PL-1 or PL-2
PL-3 or below in medicine-pediatrics residency
PL-3 if planning a chief resident year in 4th year
PL-4 or below in triple-board residency
PL-3 residents may apply as co-applicants |
| *International grant opportunities are available through the I-CATCH Program |
| IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan to submit an application naming DC AAP as your fiscal agent, you MUST submit a copy of the application to the chapter prior to submitting the application to the CATCH Committee. Please e-mail your draft application to Nancy Schoenfeld at Nancy.Schoenfeld@aapdc.org at least one week prior to submission of your application. |
| RESOURCES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR INITIATIVE |
| The CATCH Planning, Implementation, and Resident Grants are administered by the AAP CATCH Program and are made possible through the support of Pfizer Inc with additional support from individual donations through the AAP Friends of Children Fund. |
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Please remember to pay your fully tax-deductible annual chapter dues on time.
Please visit our website regularly at www.aapdc.org
for upcoming events and opportunities.
To submit information for consideration regarding job openings, upcoming events, grant opportunities and other professional health resources for the website and/or DC AAP Update, please e-mail the DC AAP at newsletter@aapdc.org. The DC AAP Update is mailed monthly, usually during the first week of the month. Submissions are due by the 28th of the preceding month.
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