Community Feeding Teams in WA State

Contact: Betty Lucas, 206-598-5309

Core Function: Technical Assistance and Outreach Training

CHDD faculty provides on-going training and technical assistance to feeding teams across the state of Washington to ensure they are able to meet the needs of their community. Fifteen community-based feeding teams have been established to meet the needs of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) in rural and underserved areas of the state. These teams serve their communities by assessing, prioritizing and addressing feeding and nutritional issues of children and infants.

Feeding teams are composed of interdisciplinary health care professionals to ensure services are family centered, comprehensive and cost-effective. The team approach benefits families and caregivers by allowing all issues of nutrition and feeding to be addressed by one coordinated team, thus avoiding duplication of services.

CHDD faculty conduct an annual one-day continuing education training that covers topics identified by feeding team members. This annual training also provides an opportunity for team members to share experiences and build networks. Technical assistance is also provided by CHDD faculty throughout the year to address team concerns and needs as they arise.

The feeding teams are based in community facilities across the state such as local health departments, developmental centers, school and education service districts, and hospitals. Team members include registered dietitians, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, public health nurses, school nurses, physicians, social workers, feeding behavior therapists and others.

More Information

Washington State Community Feeding Teams

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@u.washington.edu