Assuring Pediatric Nutrition in the Community

ABOUT THE PROJECT

This project is a response to changes in health care payment and delivery systems. As referral patterns change, premature infants and other sick children are discharged into their communities earlier and earlier. Generalist dietitians, particularly those affiliated with managed care plans, are being asked to provide specialty pediatric nutrition services. Since many of these dietitians have had little or no training in general pediatric nutrition or in nutrition for children with special health care needs, there has been an increase in requests for training and consultation from specialists in pediatric nutrition who work in tertiary centers.

This project was developed to foster partnerships between community based agencies and those organizations responsible for paying for care for high risk children. The goal of this project, initially funded by the federal Maternal Child Health Bureau, is to provide training and resources to community dietitians to assure quality pediatric nutrition care within changing health care systems.