OUR MISSION: TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR LACTATION PROFESSIONALS. OUR VISION: IBCLCS ARE VALUED RECOGNIZED MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH CARE TEAM. |
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USLCA
E-news June 2008/ Issue 10 |
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From the President: See You in Las Vegas!
Wow! In just a little over a month we will be gathering in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the 2008 ILCA conference—with an added twist—the first joint conference by USLCA and ILCA. I hope to be able to speak with many of you there. Our conference planners and the ILCA and USLCA staff members have done an excellent job attending to all the details that make the conference run so smoothly. Any of us who have helped plan and execute conferences know that a conference is like an Olympic ice skating event. When a skating performance is well executed, it looks easy, but in truth much effort and long hours have gone into that effortless presentation. Based on past experiences, that is what I predict will happen again with this year’s conference—a premiere education and networking event that will look effortless, but indeed has taken much effort. Thank you in advance to the conference committee and staff for all their hard work!
I look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas! One Voice! Glenda Dickerson RN, MS, IBCLC |
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LAS VEGAS, HERE WE COME! ILCA/ULSCA Conference 2008 Picture this, if you will…. You are walking down the strip in Las Vegas, and see more Lactation Consultants than Elvis impersonators! They're everywhere! They're everywhere! Talk about visions! You can be a part of this IBCLC invasion–it's not too late to sign up for the ILCA conference. There will be plenty of time to learn new ideas and techniques, and to share what you know as well. It's a great place to meet new best friends, hug "old" best friends, and earn CERPs in the process. Even if you never see an Elvis impersonator the entire trip, it will still be worth it. Come join us! Keep in mind that although this is an international conference, it is also a wonderful opportunity for USLCA members to meet, connect, and share. Help USLCA help you in your profession by adding your voice to plans and recommendations. Editor's Note: The July issue of the USLCA eNews will feature last minute details for the ILCA conference. Don't Forget the USLCA Workshop! Are you planning on attending the USLCA workshop, Providing Lactation Care – Seeking Quality, Efficiency, Reimbursement? Sponsored by our national affiliate, this workshop will be a great opportunity for you to hear about well-organized lactation programs in large health care systems, hospital settings, and primary care offices. Organizational models and reimbursement options that enhance third party coverage for lactation services will be discussed. The job security of all lactation consultants is dependent upon successful reimbursement for our services! read more. Wanted Bag Stuffer(s) Extrordinare! If you plan on arriving on Tuesday to get settled in before the conference starts, why not join the bag stuffing party? If you've ever been to an ILCA conference, you know you'll get a lovely conference bag filled with all kinds of helpful goodies. Have you ever thought about what has to happen ahead of time in order for you to walk up to registration and grab your bag? Somebody has to stuff all those bags. With hundreds of attendees, that's a lot of bags to stuff! ILCA turns this necessary task into an excuse for a pre-conference party. Come join the fun, get to know people from around the world, eat some pizza, and help make this conference a success. No experience necessary. On-the-job training provided! Elvis would be proud. For All the Latest Conference Information It’s not too late to register for the ILCA conference. Even if you missed the cutoff for the standard conference rate, the late registration fee is still a bargain when you look at all you’ll get in return. For more information about the conference, to sign up for the workshop, or to learn more about the Red Rock area, check out the ILCA conference page.
TIPS: TECHNOLOGY IN PRACTICE: Focus on Leadership Editor's Note: This issue's TIPS come from a quarterly newsletter for another organization I have worked with over the years, Family Voices. Family Voices is a "national grassroots network of families and friends speaking on behalf of children with special health needs. Our children are also part of the wider world of children. With an Improving Understanding of MCH grant, Family Voices works to encourage partnerships between families and professionals for children's good health." While much of what this organization is about is not directly related to the lactation consultant and the focus of USLCA, the Spring issue of their newsletter, Bright Futures: Family Matters is devoted to leadership, and three of the links are relevant to our work as LCs: Study Finds Breastfeeding Support Lacking … The CDC has just released a report that compared maternity care practices and policies that support breastfeeding of nearly 2700 birth facilities in all 50 states. The report shows that there are many opportunities for healthcare facilities to improve their promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding. The practices were scored from 0 to 100, and revealed regional differences and a range of scores from 48 ( Arkansas) to 81 ( Vermont, New Hampshire). How does your state score? How can USLCA help raise these scores in all states? By working together and combining efforts, talents, success–and failure–stories, and continuing to do what IBCLCs do every day, we can make a difference. To read the CDC press release (6/12/08) click here. To read the hot-off-the-press MMWR report, click here. FDA Proposes New Labeling Regulations – What Do You Think? The US Food and Drug Administration recently released its proposed labeling regulations to provide safety and compatibility information for pregnant and lactating women. As lactation consultants, we often hear from the mothers we serve that they have been told to wean because of prescribed medications–;all too often because the health care professional does not have ready access to drug compatibility data. The FDA has a 90 day comment period, giving us until the end of August to provide input from the IBCLC perspective. For more information on the proposed regulations and commenting procedure, check out these links: This is an important opportunity for our voice to be heard! If you would like to share your FDA comment with other USLCA members, please send me a copy at: vickers@aeneas.net Texas 2007 WIC Infant Practices Survey The Texas Department of State Health Services has released a 176-page report on the results of the 2007 WIC Infant Practices Survey, administered to over 5000 mostly Hispanic mothers between the ages of 18 and 29 who received WIC services starting in pregnancy. The survey looked at exclusivity and introduction of complementary foods, as well as experiences in hospitals with such things as gift packs and timing of first breastfeedings. The survey also asked about reasons for never breastfeeding, reasons for stopping breastfeeding, and people who encouraged or helped them to breastfeed. Regional differences are also explored in this comprehensive report. Click here to read this report that has important implications broader than the (already broad) state of Texas! National Voluntary Consensus Standards for Perinatal Care Click here for more information, or to view comments. Bright Gutures Guidelines for the Health Supervision of Infants,Children, and Adolescents, 3rd edition, Availalbe in Print and Online The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently released the 3 rd edition of this comprehensive set of health supervision guidelines. The guidelines are based around 31 well-child health care visits, and 10 health themes, including nutrition. A multidisciplinary group worked on these guidelines, providing evidence-based practice guidelines, and emphasizing anticipatory guidance and family involvement. read more. |
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