January Message from Academy (AND) Foundation Chair, Jean Ragalie-Carr, RDN, LDN, FAND Happy 2016! A fresh year lies ahead. Read about this in the January Chair Message. <http://www.eatrightfoundation.org/Foundation/content.aspx?id=6442486770> Academy DPG Experts Needed The Academy is considering commenting on a number of proposed regulations, regulatory guidance and information/data collections in the next two months. If you are interested in contributing to the Academy’s responses to these regulatory initiatives, please contact Judy Klavens-Giunta, RDN, Policy and Advocacy Leader at: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> to submit input on behalf of our DPG. Many of these information collections are seeking strategies and input for improving research and program structure on the listed topics. To read more about the proposed rules, click on the links below. The dates noted are the deadline for DPGs to submit input to the Academy's Regulatory Affairs team<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. Ensuring Safe and Effective Products Voluntary Labeling Indicating Whether Food Has or Has Not Been Derived From Genetically Engineered Atlantic Salmon; Draft Guidance for Industry<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-29904> (01/15/2016) Food Labeling; Gluten-Free Labeling of Fermented or Hydrolyzed Foods<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-29292> (02/09/2016) Use of the Term “Natural” in the Labeling of Human Food Products; Request for Information and Comments<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-28779> (04/15/2016) Hunger and Public Health Nutrition Comment Request-Review of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Medicaid Eligibility Technology Integration<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-29697>(01/15/2016) Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Follow Up to an Assessment of the Roles and Effectiveness of Community-Based Organizations in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-30442> (01/20/2016) Comment Request-Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Family Day Care Home Meal Claim Feasibility Study<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-31199>(01/29/2016) Summer Food Service Info Collection<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-28005> (02/09/2016) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Photo Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Implementation Requirements<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-33053> (02/24/2016) Health IT Comment Request; Adverse Event Reporting; Electronic Submissions<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-29407> (01/14/2016) Comment Request-Review of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Medicaid Eligibility Technology Integration<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-29697>(01/15/2016) Professional Medicare Program; Request for Information To Aid in the Design and Development of a Survey Regarding Patient and Family Member Experiences With Care Received in Long-Term Care Hospitals<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-29622> (01/14/2016) Quality Measures Request for Information: Certification Frequency and Requirements for the Reporting of Quality Measures Under CMS Programs<https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-32931> (01/26/2016) Reimbursement and Provision of Services Senate Chronic Care Working Group Policy Proposals<http://www.americantelemed.org/docs/default-source/policy/ccwg-policy-options-paper.pdf?sfvrsn=2> (01/19/2016) From Eat Right Weekly: Academy Involvement in Hunger Commission and Report Academy member Susan Finn, PhD, RD, LD, FAND, served as a member of the National Commission on Hunger, and many Academy members presented testimony at regional meetings. The commission's report recommends the U.S. Department of Agriculture use the Academy’s Guide "to define best practices within SNAP-Ed, develop or modify programs and evaluate outcomes." Academy President Dr. Evelyn F. Crayton, RDN, LDN, FAND, wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack: "The Academy is ready and able to help in any way to implement the report's recommendations that can lead to decreased hunger." She added that Academy members who work at USDA "will play a crucial role as well in the implementation of the Commission on Hunger's recommendations." Learn More<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/39112/26226065/51034/43/> National Commission on Hunger Releases Report to Congress The congressionally appointed, bipartisan National Commission on Hunger has released its final report: "Freedom from Hunger: An Achievable Goal for the United States of America, Recommendations of the National Commission on Hunger to Congress and the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture." The commission calls the report "one of the strongest bipartisan affirmations around the solvability of hunger in the United States in decades." Learn More<http://mailer.eatright.org/t/39112/26226065/48214/41/> Judy Klavens-Giunta,RDN Policy and Advocacy Leader Public Health Community Nutrition Practice Group --