Leading for Change

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Leading for Change

• Sudha Reddy, MS, RD
• Georgia Department of Human ResourcesDivision of
  Aging Services

4th State Units on Aging Nutritionists
Administrators Conference August 2006
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Presentation Outline

• -Expectations of SUA for Nutritionists Position
  (Scope of Work)
• -Factors Influencing Changes in the Way We Do
  Business
• -Reasons to be a Change Agent
• -Examples of Program Success in Georgia

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 Expectation of SUA for Nutritionists Position

• Provide leadership in planning, directing,
  implementing and evaluating statewide nutrition
  and wellness programs (OAA and other state funded
  programs) for older adults.

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 Expectation of SUA for Nutritionists Position

• Provide direction and guidance to AAAs and
  nutrition service providers in the implementation
  and evaluation of federal and state funded
  nutrition and wellness programs.
• Coordinate activities with universities and
  other community based organizations on health and
  wellness initiatives. Serve as the Divisions
  chief spokesperson on nutrition and wellness
  program issues.

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Key Functions

• Program planning
• Policy development
• Program management
• Budgeting
• Training and technical assistance

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Key Functions

• Program evaluation (data collection, analysis
  management)
• Program coordination and team building
• Advocacy and research
• Grant writing management
• Marketing

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 Factors Influencing Changes in the Way We Do
Business

• Aging trends
• Health status
• Increased health care costs
• Shift from institutional based care to community
  based care

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Factors Influencing Changes in the Way We Do
Business

• Technology
• Increased demand for services and limited funding
• Increased competition
• Demand for efficiency improved quality of
  services from funders and customers

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Reasons to Become a Change Agent

• To increase program visibility funding
• To improve the way we do business (efficiency)
• To demonstrate that nutrition and wellness
  services are value added services (more than a
  meals program)

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Reasons to Become a Change Agent

• To meet changing program goals and expectations
• To increase public awareness regarding the role
  (value) of state nutritionists in promoting
  health and wellness

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Examples of Program Success in Georgia

• Increased funding for wellness program services
  through the state legislature (current state
  funding 1.1 million dollars)
• Collaboration with UGA development,
  implementation and evaluation of community based
  intervention related to nutrition, physical
  activity and diabetes

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Examples of Program Success in Georgia

• Launching of the Live Healthy Georgia Seniors
  Taking Charge campaign

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Examples of Program Success in Georgia

• Collaboration with UGA web site development on
  healthy aging (www.livewellagewell.info)
• Development of the Take Charge of Your Health
  community intervention to promote nutrition and
  physical activity in older adults.

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Examples of Program Success in Georgia

• Recognition by the Dannon Institute, American
  Pubic Health Association, USDA and the Georgia
  Dietetic Association for program innovation of
  the Take Charge of Your Health program
• Successful collaboration with public and private
  sector agencies in sponsoring the healthy aging
  summit (for the past 9 years)

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Examples of Program Success in Georgia

• Launching of the 1st SFMNP demonstration program
  in Georgia (funding from Division of Public
  Health, Division of Aging, Area Agencies on Aging
  and local health departments)

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Examples of Program Success in Georgia

• Collaboration with the Division of Public Health,
  AARP, Parks and Recreation and other agencies in
  securing funding/resources to develop and
  implement innovative health and wellness programs
• Establishment of the Georgia Coalition for
  Healthy Aging (a collaboration of public and
  private sector agencies to promote a common
  vision for healthy aging)

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Summary

• Be willing to take risks
• Be proactive and be aware of factors influencing
  changes in the way we do business
• Be flexible and be aware of changing priorities
• Document outcomes
• Develop strategies to build successful
  partnerships
• Money will follow if you have good ideas