The ASPHN Board of Directors met on October 14, 2022.
- Six General member applications were approved: Claire Finnerty (WA); Bridget Ideker (MN); Caroline Messerschmidt (MI); Bri Monahan (ND); Ann Parker (IA); Colin Wills (HI).
- Nineteen Associate member applications were approved: Cleome Bernick-Roehr, Rebekah Chicone, Rachael Hawley, Mark Killoran, Taylor Lanz, Jee Hyun Lee, Melanie Maldonado, Maren McGuire, Gianfranco Morote Galvez, Emilia Porter, Isabelle Smiley and Amelia Starr (MN); Bich-Nhu Do (WA); Erin Dougherty (CA); Jessica Gamble (AL); John King (TN); Juliet Oniso (MD); Karalii Rabii and Sheetal Tolia (NY)
- Motion to accept the Independent Auditor’s Report prepared by Brady, Martz & Associates, P.C. for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 ASTPHND/ASPHN financial records passed unanimously.
- Policy Committee actions on behalf of ASPHN since last board report:
- Signed-on to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) letter requesting that the Senate increase the allocation for ensuring the scientific integrity of the Dietary Guidelines from $7.3M to $10.2M, to match the amount allocated by the House.
- Signed-on to Trust for America’s Health joint letter urging policymakers to increase investments in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hospitals Promoting Breastfeeding program which helps fund critical initiatives to support breastfeeding families in hospitals, workplaces, and communities in fiscal year 2023.
- Did not opt out of sign-on opportunity with the National WIC Association addressed to Congress urging an extension of the enhanced WIC fruits and vegetables Cash Value Benefit (CVB) into the new fiscal year.
- Did not opt out of the Home Visiting Coalition’s letter addressed to members of Congress in support of MIECHV program reauthorization for five years.
- Signed-on to the Position Statements Committee of the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s (SBM) policy position statement advocating for an increase in WIC’s Cash Value Benefit for fruit and vegetable purchases.
- Signed-on in support of the Food and Environment Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists’ statement addressed to President Biden enlisting his support in ensuring Congress pass a “transformative Farm Bill” that reflects his values – a bill that creates a stronger, more equitable, resilient, and sustainable food and farm system for all.
- Signed-on to the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee’s (USBC) joint letter addressed to Secretary Cardona and Assistant Secretary Lhamon urging them to adopt the proposed Title IX Regulations [ED-2021-OCR-0166] to protect lactating students and educators.
- Signed-on in support of the National WIC Association’s (NWA) letter addressed to Secretary Thomas Vilsack urging him to protect the whole grain-rich cereal recommendations in USDA’s WIC food package update from industry opposition to strengthen the recommendation for WGR cereals.
- Signed-on to the National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity (NANA) Steering Committee’s letter addressed to Secretary Thomas Vilsack urging the USDA to…
- Reinstate the Healthier US Schools Challenge (HUSSC) or a similar national recognition program with awards for incremental progress and new funding opportunities for schools.
- Reinstate Team Up for School Nutrition Success (Team Up) trainings and work with states to deliver state-based trainings.
- Reinstate What’s Shaking? Creative Ways to Boost Flavor With Less Sodium and a companion initiative focused on limiting added sugars, and
- Deliver robust technical assistance to states and SFAs on the use of meal pattern waivers.
- Signed-on to the Work & Family Legal Center’s letter addressed to Senator Schumer thanking him for his continued support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (S. 4431) and urging him to bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote before the end of the current work period.