Diabetes DPG Strategic Plan

For the DDPG to achieve its vision and mission over the next three years, three critical success factors have been identified as core to its strategic direction. The Critical Success Factors are:

1. An engaged board with diverse experience and backgrounds, focusing on involvement of the next RDN generation.
   To be Successful:
   • Recruit, engage and maintain the next generation of leaders for board involvement.
          
2. A fiscally sound and robust practice group membership.
   To be Successful:
   • Build on the current strength of membership and scholarships.
   • Focus on elevating the image of the registered dietitian nutritionist in diabetes care and education.
   • Prioritize reimbursement for the registered dietitian nutritionist in diabetes care and education.
           
3. Diabetes Dietetic Practice Group as THE source of diabetes nutrition and care Information
   To be Successful:
   • Increase research that supports the role of the registered dietitian nutritionist.
   • Position the Cutting Edge Nutrition & Diabetes Care as a recognized peer reviewed publication.
   • Be the recognized expert on nutrition in diabetes care and education.
   • Increase alliances with diabetes-focused organizations and key stakeholders.

The Strategic Plan of DDPG aligns with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Strategic Plan, focusing on these areas:

Addressing Nutrition in Diabetes Management and Prevention within Health Care Systems, Addressing Nutrition and Food Security within Diabetes Management and Addressing Diversity and Inclusion. Within each of these three areas, goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics have been developed to serve as the foundation for the work of the DDPG over the next three years.

Goal 1: Position the registered dietitian nutritionist as a vital member of the diabetes and prevention healthcare team

Objective: 100% of healthcare systems with recognized or accredited DSMES/DSMT programs will have RDNs as members of their diabetes and prevention healthcare teams

1. Strategy 1. Educate DDPG members on how to bill for MNT and DSMT service, promoting the benefit and role of RDN in diabetes care and education
   1. Tactic 1. Educate DDPG members on how to bill for MNT and DSMT service, promoting the benefit and role of RDN in diabetes care and education
      • Responsibility:
        • NSPS, Print Publications, Newsflash, Webinars
        • Advertise MNT toolkit and videos
        • Promote AND's MNT Provider
        • Promote office hours Webinar (feature success stories)
      • Timeline:
        
        • FY23 and ongoing
   2. Tactic 2. Create routine virtual “drop-in” peer-to-peer meetings with members to share best practices, challenges on billing practices
      • Responsibility:
        • NSPS
      • Timeline:
        • 2023-24 and ongoing
2. Strategy 2. Equip members to elevate their role as part of the diabetes healthcare team
   1. Tactic 1. Educate members on utilization of SOP and SOPP in expanding their role and scope of practice
      • Responsibility:
        • Newsflash column annually with case studies and examples
      • Timeline:
        • Annually
   2. Tactic 2. Develop communication materials about the benefit of the RDN tailored for specific MD, NP, and PA audiences and platform use (printed materials /video/social media campaign MD groups
      • Responsibility:
        • "Coffee talks" with members, handout with talking points. Consider collaboration with NE DPG
      • Timeline:
        • Year-end FY24 Annually

Goal 2: Promote Participation in Diabetes Management and Prevention Programs to all People Affected by Diabetes

Objective: Increase education opportunities promoting starting and managing DPP and DSME programs

1. Strategy 1. Educate RDNS on how to increase client participation in DSMES/MNT services
   
   1. Tactic 1. Provide insights to members on best practices and innovative methods for education delivery that increases participation via webinar and/or newsletter articles
      
      • Responsibility:
        • Recruit member experts on DSME/DPP programs for mentoring, articles, professional talking point handout
   2. Tactic 2. Host regular peer-to-peer drop-in virtual meetings for member sharing
      
      • Responsibility:
        • Member expert group from above
   3. Tactic 3. Encourage RDN participation in Academy initiatives and programs (MNT Expansion group meetings.)
      • Responsibility:
        • Member expert group from above 
2. Strategy 2. Support efforts to obtain coverage for pre-diabetes for all people
   
   1. Tactic 1. Support the Academy public policy efforts for federal Bills that include pre-diabetes coverage
      
      • Responsibility:
        • PAL and members
   2. Tactic 2. Fund the PAL to attend Academy summits and policy days
      
      • Responsibility:
        • PAL
   3. Tactic 3. Inform members via various communication venues ( email, social media, discussion boards) to complete Action Alerts
      • Responsibility:
        • PAL, Social Media

Goal 3: Promote Infrastructure and Funding for Nutrition Research

Objective: Increase members’ participation in research and publication of research findings

1. Strategy 1. Increase RDN awareness and knowledge of important role of research in informing and guiding practice in diabetes care
   
   1. Tactic 1. Develop a strategic relationship with the Research Practice Group to assist our members in understanding research opportunities and guidelines
      
      • Responsibility:
        • Research Chair
   2. Tactic 2. Highlight the value of research in practice via various DPG communications
      
      • Responsibility:
        • Research Chair
2. Strategy 2. Continue to fund and explore new research grants within the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation
   
   1. Tactic 1. Promote new research opportunities for members through various communication venues
      
      • Responsibility:
        • Research Chair, Social Media, Newsflash
3. Strategy 3. Evolve the Cutting Edge Nutrition and Diabetes Care journal into a journal in which members can publish their research
   1. Tactic 1. Seek and make recommendations on best venues and opportunities to promote the Cutting Edge Nutrition and Diabetes Care journal beyond the DPG/Academy
      • Responsibility:
        • Chair, Print Communications, Past Chair
      • Timeline:
        • End of FY24
   2. Tactic 2. Explore funding a social media/marketing position
      • Responsibility:
        • Chairs
      • Timeline:
        • End of FY24

Goal 1: Increase diversity within the leadership of the DPG, Including combination of different backgrounds with equal and fair representation: accepting and valuing differences

Objective: DPG leadership reflects a sense of community which values belonging and all contributions

1. Strategy 1. Create a community with members who express interest volunteering
   1. Tactic 1. Create a system to connect with members expressing interest through annual membership survey
      • Responsibility:
        • Membership Chair and maybe add a volunteer coordinator and create a better system
      • Timeline:
        • Ongoing
   2. Tactic 2. Maintain an ongoing evaluation of Committees’ needs
      • Responsibility:
        • Membership Chair/Chair
      • Timeline:
        • Ongoing
2. Strategy 2. Increase reach when pursuing new leadership
3. Tactic 1. Create a robust system for recruitment:
   1. Tactic 1a. Promote benefits of leadership
      • Responsibility:
        • Chair/Membership/Volunteer Coordinator
   2. Tactic 1b. Utilize diverse platforms- (social media, listserv, print and electronic communication) for advertising positions
      • Responsibility:
        • Social Media
   3. Tactic 1c. Provide easy access to position descriptions of leadership and committee positions to members
      • Responsibility:
        • Link to position descriptions on website
   4. Tactic 1d. Explore ways to increase involvement with Diversify Dietetics and MIGS to recruit new leadership and membership
      • Responsibility:
        • Membership Committee
        • Nominating Committee

Goal 2: Increase diversity of the registered dietitian nutritionist profession within diabetes care

Objective: Establish at least 2 Academy or other organizational collaborations for expanding student scholarship opportunities

Timeline: By 2024

1. Strategy 1. Expand scholarship opportunities to diverse groups
   1. Tactic 1. Collaborate with Academy and other organizations (NOBIDAN, LAHIDAN, and Diversify Dietetics) on scholarship opportunities and attend events at FNCE
      • Responsibility:
        • Student Membership Coordinator
        • Membership Chair
        • Chair(s)
   2. Tactic 2. Provide outreach to educational institutions dietetic programs related scholarship opportunities
      • Responsibility:
        • Student Membership Coordinator
2. Strategy 2. Expand student volunteer opportunities to diverse groups
   1. Tactic 1. Promote volunteer opportunities with academic institutions to reach diverse populations
      • Responsibility:
        • Student Membership Coordinator
   2. Tactic 2. Market volunteer opportunities to the Historically Black College & University (HBCU) and similar academic settings
      • Responsibility:
        • Student Membership Coordinator
   3. Tactic 3. Increase student volunteer positions for more committees within the DPG and incentivize student involvement
      • Responsibility:
        • Student Membership
        • Volunteer Coordinator

Goal 3: Promote inclusive care of diabetes prevention and treatment for all

Objective: DDPG consumer facing materials are reviewed annually to ensure the inclusion of diversity is reflected

1. Strategy 1. Ensure DPG consumer facing materials are culturally appropriate
   1. Tactic 1. Convene focus groups within the DPG membership to gather feedback on handouts/materials used in the communities they serve
      • Responsibility:
        • Publications Chair
        • Print Communications Chair
        • IDEA Liasion
   2. Tactic 2. Survey or conduct focus groups with practitioners serving diverse populations to obtain feedback about missing information in materials used within their communities
      • Responsibility:
        • Publications Chair
        • Print Communications Chair
        • IDEA Liasion
   3. Tactic 3. Explore potential ways to incentivize member participation in the handout review
      • Responsibility:
        • Publications Chair
   4. Tactic 4. Develop and conduct webinars or handout on good practice tips for developing consuming facing materials for diverse communities
      • Responsibility:
        • Webinar Chair
        • IDEA Liaison
        • Publications Chair

Goal 4: Impact food and nutrition policies related to health equity

Objective: Expand the role of the IDEA Liaison

1. Strategy 1. Expand IDEA committee to increase advocacy for health equity
   1. Tactic 1. ADCES Liaison, IDEA Liaison and PAL combine efforts in to promote diabetes advocacy through e- blasts, webinars or other avenues
      • Responsibility: 
        • ADCES Liaison
        • IDEA Liaison
        • PAL
   2. Tactic 2. Create committee(s) under IDEA position to mobilize advocacy efforts in combination with PAL for diabetes advocacy and health equity
      • Responsibility:
        • Create committee of DDPG members to work with IDEA

Goal 1: Advocate equitable access to safe and nutritious food to all people affected by diabetes

Objective: Increase DPG members participating in activities to advocate for equitable access to food

1. Strategy 1. Increase DDPG member participation in Action Alerts and policy engagement at all levels (community, state, national)
   1. Tactic 1. Create a DPG task force focused on informing members how to engage in policy work for safe and nutritious food
      • Responsibility:
        • Chair
      • Timeline:
        • End of FY24
   2. Tactic 2. Provide webinar and/or promotional materials for members
      • Responsibility:
        • Task Force
      • Timeline:
        • FY24 and 25
   3. Tactic 3. Promote the use of food insecurity screening tools and resources (i.e. Vital Hunger Sign) throughout the health care continuum
      • Responsibility:
        • Task Force in partnership with Social media to help promote
      • Timeline:
        • FY24 and ongoing

Goal 2: Promote the registered dietitian nutritionist involvement in community, state, and national food policy venues

Objective: Increase the number of RDNs involved in food policy across at all levels

1. Strategy 1. Promote the RDN as the food and nutrition expert in the food policy arena for people affected by diabetes
   1. Tactic 1. Collaborate with the Academy’s legislative team on strategies to place RDNs on local and national public policy boards
      • Responsibility:
        • Policy and Advocacy Committee & Task Force
   2. Tactic 2. Initiate discussion with the Academy Foundation about grant opportunities and external partners to develop/promote medically tailored meals (MTM) program for food insecure at food banks nation- wide and locally
      • Responsibility:
        • Policy and Advocacy Committee & Task Force
   3. Tactic 3. Promote DDPG members research and/or support research in the area of food insecurity to understand the long-lasting impact of undernutrition or poor-quality nutrition in diabetes management
      • Responsibility:
        • Policy and Advocacy Committee & Task Force
        • Academy food insecurity tool kit