Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Advocacy

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking applications from new members for the EIDBI advisory group, which advises DHS on a health benefit for people younger than 21 years old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions.
Advisory group terms are two years and begin in January 2024. The EIDBI advisory group holds quarterly virtual meetings. The advisory group will have openings for members in January 2024, including one opening for a physician or developmental pediatrician.
Refer to <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Sh6_atdxglG5B9JP7c1M3ZFDWHovOYHhTyDGcZSiUhKqXpxYgLntigej8WteVEiqRoDSmZN1YBnkVJfkWaDgFzrjA36nf0jHTR0Ba21Si2v3nCH3_sSXcDt9N91300UYJ75BuVSWV8Ce-wwAR_d8GsDvZkszo0gUd9mTEsfUY-G52NRPdLq1y980IbJDqzqCGqyTa9Qrdn-lSgxwYK6EM7KJ9Y3sBv1gmxWzMkZFEiZI4gSMsWmAhvrs0LLPfk2URX9lXMg7PcotyQUheAwWQoEZGmYDX6jv2YVUIlLv0uzryWVtZcdOyVC5pQEbtuwmW1lpGYmdF42NVN92ttJAtWF6FkCj3-B9ORJCwnFcuhk-3tZTI7xV6TeAE3D253XYjcIx3ByaFSusOg1NfIdKzyM3wINhCMs0p3WvuMT7AzMVAbS2AsLfw7hMm-e-lYGxCichMPCxqW6RiZUVYlKbwzMKNHXfd3rSvpfxQic7hKJQCO8pfc_pDgBszW58bqglhbJGb3B_cCPRPXckpbp3l01hWQORkxpHCqaTmRnq-hoU-PXO-v0sWLdmnUPoFld7avvEGHS_IVH6e6TqtqdHLqca9rhGWFuTISrhCP-D7wGbazOEJ0Wp8CTuhWOmguLBKHhlWi3ok1M=&amp;c=spcFgfr7o-ko2MighpvUxu2LV39Aopy6AYFS9J6lqI545fQlFxxRpQ==&amp;ch=34Fut_4e2HlasK6IVyO6RZ5Xxsd6V5ntr07mGaeSVtUXeAutrLwfjA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Sh6_atdxglG5B9JP7c1M3ZFDWHovOYHhTyDGcZSiUhKqXpxYgLntigej8WteVEiqRoDSmZN1YBnkVJfkWaDgFzrjA36nf0jHTR0Ba21Si2v3nCH3_sSXcDt9N91300UYJ75BuVSWV8Ce-wwAR_d8GsDvZkszo0gUd9mTEsfUY-G52NRPdLq1y980IbJDqzqCGqyTa9Qrdn-lSgxwYK6EM7KJ9Y3sBv1gmxWzMkZFEiZI4gSMsWmAhvrs0LLPfk2URX9lXMg7PcotyQUheAwWQoEZGmYDX6jv2YVUIlLv0uzryWVtZcdOyVC5pQEbtuwmW1lpGYmdF42NVN92ttJAtWF6FkCj3-B9ORJCwnFcuhk-3tZTI7xV6TeAE3D253XYjcIx3ByaFSusOg1NfIdKzyM3wINhCMs0p3WvuMT7AzMVAbS2AsLfw7hMm-e-lYGxCichMPCxqW6RiZUVYlKbwzMKNHXfd3rSvpfxQic7hKJQCO8pfc_pDgBszW58bqglhbJGb3B_cCPRPXckpbp3l01hWQORkxpHCqaTmRnq-hoU-PXO-v0sWLdmnUPoFld7avvEGHS_IVH6e6TqtqdHLqca9rhGWFuTISrhCP-D7wGbazOEJ0Wp8CTuhWOmguLBKHhlWi3ok1M%3D%26c%3DspcFgfr7o-ko2MighpvUxu2LV39Aopy6AYFS9J6lqI545fQlFxxRpQ%3D%3D%26ch%3D34Fut_4e2HlasK6IVyO6RZ5Xxsd6V5ntr07mGaeSVtUXeAutrLwfjA%3D%3D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1698157358438000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2IgC08csJSjP5mGpRCpBTI">EIDBI benefit</a> or <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Sh6_atdxglG5B9JP7c1M3ZFDWHovOYHhTyDGcZSiUhKqXpxYgLntigej8WteVEiqJBEZaoQvnThb5TKVg5eRBrVxk2ykMMKQbwV1fi1Pv0zBOrnpZGtwjrdPB_1fNh1lMiHKYw3E7FcAMOha5g8EMFdf_oz5xUVTm0K3sOnhSO0dVz_zUa3ml8IqQhok6awnLok-GAvY5H3ToarrKdJoV7BISgznDVSFllBkys1x9QEDj4tDeadqm-sx4O-S5bzN6-n7e0Ft0X_bsJGtcAVHL7rqucXWPJWohOchOztIL83lPCpqApXuYNMk_4o_6z7ItalfU0mhmiaTKV8a9fXhs9K_pyJFdR41_tk0vBzwNxSvcbN839tVb-Tu9upkBLNPDw8Doc-TNBV67JshcPEZbjHUEMRuP5J7blPmWEf5hp7NxrYpCIPXsez3k3JKSBWUGfQY2ZS6Hb-mV1ENHoNfLOOFFHx5kwA_YOF4eWFUkOt6V7_RM5KMC7V3cQ1IyLgiLUYcpQndoqWVXUO9sfqrhzNCjhgjTGBTlw3Yv8rYf0y-KLN3BAuZsoewG0El89np8fYbO9vzu73Km7yLucny_z5PlnDpTMndFWzZd0XfvIzaM9-R9gzXI7q0tzbfyvLhbOM8hN_SU2dHjpoMvzR4NO8eZJk0fPo5&amp;c=spcFgfr7o-ko2MighpvUxu2LV39Aopy6AYFS9J6lqI545fQlFxxRpQ==&amp;ch=34Fut_4e2HlasK6IVyO6RZ5Xxsd6V5ntr07mGaeSVtUXeAutrLwfjA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Sh6_atdxglG5B9JP7c1M3ZFDWHovOYHhTyDGcZSiUhKqXpxYgLntigej8WteVEiqJBEZaoQvnThb5TKVg5eRBrVxk2ykMMKQbwV1fi1Pv0zBOrnpZGtwjrdPB_1fNh1lMiHKYw3E7FcAMOha5g8EMFdf_oz5xUVTm0K3sOnhSO0dVz_zUa3ml8IqQhok6awnLok-GAvY5H3ToarrKdJoV7BISgznDVSFllBkys1x9QEDj4tDeadqm-sx4O-S5bzN6-n7e0Ft0X_bsJGtcAVHL7rqucXWPJWohOchOztIL83lPCpqApXuYNMk_4o_6z7ItalfU0mhmiaTKV8a9fXhs9K_pyJFdR41_tk0vBzwNxSvcbN839tVb-Tu9upkBLNPDw8Doc-TNBV67JshcPEZbjHUEMRuP5J7blPmWEf5hp7NxrYpCIPXsez3k3JKSBWUGfQY2ZS6Hb-mV1ENHoNfLOOFFHx5kwA_YOF4eWFUkOt6V7_RM5KMC7V3cQ1IyLgiLUYcpQndoqWVXUO9sfqrhzNCjhgjTGBTlw3Yv8rYf0y-KLN3BAuZsoewG0El89np8fYbO9vzu73Km7yLucny_z5PlnDpTMndFWzZd0XfvIzaM9-R9gzXI7q0tzbfyvLhbOM8hN_SU2dHjpoMvzR4NO8eZJk0fPo5%26c%3DspcFgfr7o-ko2MighpvUxu2LV39Aopy6AYFS9J6lqI545fQlFxxRpQ%3D%3D%26ch%3D34Fut_4e2HlasK6IVyO6RZ5Xxsd6V5ntr07mGaeSVtUXeAutrLwfjA%3D%3D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1698157358438000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3NNe06r9jmWhZeNcLOCiym">EIDBI advisory group</a> webpages for more information about EIDBI or the advisory group.
Submit your application between now and Nov. 8, 2023, through the <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Sh6_atdxglG5B9JP7c1M3ZFDWHovOYHhTyDGcZSiUhKqXpxYgLntigej8WteVEiqlS-Yy3bLc5HH2Pr98VROGnl8iUcmjlu5QWlD5Y3uXKZex6B_aWez0I8_kesiJ38tvuZkeLeuG71UaEWyd76ZOf1hG970lArU58na_GIANX5tFi2HmhvJq9cfplViqMM9OVxcFwOyZYJGNweLnqXPG8dX0pSMf8MdaFpyRqf6ozN_kf-_yFY2_WH9JDwgU8NzBodE6J1qPtDSLB-SFgC0CgY9OJvb4H8iAmPHJrXUvCe-IK-fjMQ28DqsTUHUUDoMXSR707EMmWtavscaNsg5SZduxPd2G4LtfgFTI5iexs_e5fnWUleNCsNdn-yvDynd_3o59Tp0TSbY2TxOYPfJAnPkxolIyRuJG6xIzmxBg_v_sB5H9iFfVXUMLisIM8-JTeaDWEr-_0w4TqiWJdizmcw5cZc1BWYqFF1rqpHqTEG0InjMc2FBpFu-9IyPq6OjIzKJq_Amzadwcluui50D-gXU5ItoAyfj&amp;c=spcFgfr7o-ko2MighpvUxu2LV39Aopy6AYFS9J6lqI545fQlFxxRpQ==&amp;ch=34Fut_4e2HlasK6IVyO6RZ5Xxsd6V5ntr07mGaeSVtUXeAutrLwfjA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Sh6_atdxglG5B9JP7c1M3ZFDWHovOYHhTyDGcZSiUhKqXpxYgLntigej8WteVEiqlS-Yy3bLc5HH2Pr98VROGnl8iUcmjlu5QWlD5Y3uXKZex6B_aWez0I8_kesiJ38tvuZkeLeuG71UaEWyd76ZOf1hG970lArU58na_GIANX5tFi2HmhvJq9cfplViqMM9OVxcFwOyZYJGNweLnqXPG8dX0pSMf8MdaFpyRqf6ozN_kf-_yFY2_WH9JDwgU8NzBodE6J1qPtDSLB-SFgC0CgY9OJvb4H8iAmPHJrXUvCe-IK-fjMQ28DqsTUHUUDoMXSR707EMmWtavscaNsg5SZduxPd2G4LtfgFTI5iexs_e5fnWUleNCsNdn-yvDynd_3o59Tp0TSbY2TxOYPfJAnPkxolIyRuJG6xIzmxBg_v_sB5H9iFfVXUMLisIM8-JTeaDWEr-_0w4TqiWJdizmcw5cZc1BWYqFF1rqpHqTEG0InjMc2FBpFu-9IyPq6OjIzKJq_Amzadwcluui50D-gXU5ItoAyfj%26c%3DspcFgfr7o-ko2MighpvUxu2LV39Aopy6AYFS9J6lqI545fQlFxxRpQ%3D%3D%26ch%3D34Fut_4e2HlasK6IVyO6RZ5Xxsd6V5ntr07mGaeSVtUXeAutrLwfjA%3D%3D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1698157358438000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Y-LpZlU_-Ku1-NaKnY_VT">Secretary of State Boards and Commissions – Open Positions</a> webpage to apply for a position.

Members Needed for the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention Advisory Group

MNAAP is now accepting applications for the Eric Dick Memorial Advocacy Scholarship. Applications are due by 5 p.m on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. Award decisions will be announced no later than Friday, Nov. 10, 2023.
Named for MNAAP&#8217;s late long-time lobbyist, the Eric Dick Memorial Advocacy Scholarship will be awarded annually to one or more residents or medical students to engage in legislative advocacy projects aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of children in Minnesota – particularly those focused on eliminating health disparities.
Advocacy scholars will be supported in implementing their projects by MNAAP’s Public Policy Work Group Co-Chairs and contract lobbyist. In 2023, we will award up to two scholarships ranging from $2,500 &#8211; $5,000, depending on the scale of the project.
Use this link to apply through <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MFPMDB7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MFPMDB7&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2VIhWMFP-frtNrR1fCG5Z2">SurveyMonkey.</a>

Application Now Open for Eric Dick Memorial Advocacy Scholarship

A policy that was put in place during the COVID pandemic to make sure no one lost their Medicaid coverage expired in early April. Now, nearly six months later, states are in the process of reviewing their programs to check who is still eligible for the program. This is being called the Medicaid &#8220;unwinding.&#8221;
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) called for a nationwide assessment and repair of healthcare eligibility systems because they suspect children who should be covered by Medicaid/Children&#8217;s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were mistakenly dropped from their healthcare coverage.
You can help make sure eligible patients and families continue to receive coverage with these resources:
<ul>
<li>This <a href="https://mn.gov/dhs/medicaid-matters/renewal-dashboard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mn.gov/dhs/medicaid-matters/renewal-dashboard/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335110000&amp;usg=AOvVaw03AfWhnNsruFJnpHfPNFPS">interactive dashboard</a> from the Minnesota Department of Human Services tracks the statewide resumption of renewals. You can view the total number of enrollees and total number of households due for renewal each month, and sort this data by demographic information and program eligibility category.</li>
<li><a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Medicaid/AAP%20unwinding%20two%20pager_3.15.23.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Medicaid/AAP%2520unwinding%2520two%2520pager_3.15.23.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335110000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1RIXUpA4OebqW8jE9P0YGM">Medicaid Unwinding: What Pediatric Practices Need to Know</a>  – This flyer is information for pediatric practices on Medicaid Unwinding.</li>
<li><a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/Documents/Practice_Template_Letter_Unwinding_Medicaid.docx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/Documents/Practice_Template_Letter_Unwinding_Medicaid.docx&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XKtxdOJM7MX72luEOTzQ1">Pediatric Practice Template Letter to Families</a> (<a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/Documents/Practice%20Template%20Letter%20Unwinding%20Medicaid%20Spanish%20Copy.docx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/Documents/Practice%2520Template%2520Letter%2520Unwinding%2520Medicaid%2520Spanish%2520Copy.docx&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0KCwht-2h89kBzrxK5LpDk">Spanish Version</a>)– A template letter that practices can customize with state-specific information and send to families on the Unwinding.</li>
<li><a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP%20Unwinding%20Overview%20April%202023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP%2520Unwinding%2520Overview%2520April%25202023.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2wPUPMk0sqa2lN0JbOM9A2">AAP Unwinding Overview</a> – A slide deck providing background and an updated overview of the Unwinding.</li>
<li><a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Medicaid/AAP%20Unwinding%20Practice%20Guidance.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Medicaid/AAP%2520Unwinding%2520Practice%2520Guidance.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw02rIfIDx3uySi0VbAeDWek">Unwinding Practice Guidance</a> – View practice guidance to help maximize patient coverage and prevent revenue loss during the Medicaid Unwinding</li>
</ul>

Medicaid Unwinding Resources for Practices, Patients and Families

<a href="http://www.mnaap.org/mnaap-honored-by-aap-for-equity-diversity-inclusion-work/img_0303/" rel="attachment wp-att-4208"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-4208 size-medium alignleft" src="http://www.mnaap.org/wp-lib/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_0303-e1692023787146-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recognized the Minnesota chapter&#8217;s work in equity, diversity, and inclusion at the recent Annual Leadership Conference at the AAP headquarters in Illinois on August 3 &#8211; 6.
Chapter President Eileen Crespo, MD, FAAP, (pictured on right) and President-Elect Katie Smentek, MD, FAAP, (picture on left) attended the conference and accepted the Inspire Award on behalf of the chapter.
MNAAP recognizes that racism and race-based violence create unsafe and unhealthy environments. Racism must be addressed on all levels: from racial inequities that are embedded in systems, policies, and practices to individual and professional accountability and transformation.
MNAAP&#8217;s efforts were prompted by the tragic murder of George Floyd in May 2020, and since that time the chapter has:
<ul>
<li>established an anti-racism task force (which later formalized as the Anti-Racism &amp; Disparities work group)</li>
<li>appointed an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion chapter champion and added this role to the chapter&#8217;s executive committee</li>
<li>endowed the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) fund which commits chapter financial resources to</li>
<li>secured a consultant to review the chapter&#8217;s history and current operations to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion guide decisions and initiatives</li>
<li>looked for opportunities to amplify the work and voice of those actively working to dismantle systemic racism</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

MNAAP Honored by AAP for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Work

As many as 5.3 million children may lose their Medicaid coverage during a period of eligibility redetermination following the COVID-19 public health emergency, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This period, which started April 1, is often called &#8220;the unwinding.&#8221; Of that number, it is estimated that up to 70 percent of children will lose Medicaid coverage due to procedural reasons, such as enrollees not being reached or enrollees not returning forms.
The AAP has developed <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RoAewowj65eSVpJUyKagsaiiPfI6OcUgaMYd8jx7bgVmkRrU8mQcr-rEWRQ-f3hITGh1oNRi1IBc7yH2VOHFJNBsW_1CRtTKTuGuIoGI9MaaLA1Z6VFNseHYRykunv60aP2pfoiqAr6eMRRpnhfQoz1c9cHGgzhwmjWdD9gLqaJPOIXclGF7xf51wqh7n83qWYIjz0pnaHBGSrFDpzAelfcF-7kGwKEV1voBsfXvlMVd7MaYHVdYC9IC-9xCLvzDf4zdONCNHhkyMaZvN51h6zVWI5dKeW8hjp9izWQ93iNbPtaO_NtCMIkM3po0RmW5M6Ev5EvYu7E=&amp;c=uJNMWptAN-CGymqrZYI3WckiXcFiPpPXZo-DQaE1oJCp9PS7s9MC6Q==&amp;ch=4BhqxSGgqiFYvc3jt3UGhUa9rppryO60NYjGlZmsKvXiAS3oUt6WFA==">a two-page resource</a> for pediatricians to help children stay covered. Additional resources are available on the AAP&#8217;s <a href="https://www.aap.org/medicaidunwinding">Preserving Medicaid and CHIP Coverage page</a>. These resources may be helpful to you, your colleagues, or your patients and families. Ensuring that children do not inappropriately lose their health care coverage is incredibly important to their health and wellbeing.

Resources to Help Children Stay Covered During “Unwinding”

The news this week of the March 27th mass shooting in Nashville involving children serves as a somber reminder that the fight to protect children and youth from firearm violence continues to be a top priority for pediatricians.



Accidental firearm injury and homicide are major health concerns for Minnesota’s youth. Firearms are also the leading method of suicide for adolescents aged 15 to 19. MNAAP supports common sense firearm control measures including expanding criminal background checks for all firearm transfers and sales, enacting “red flag” laws to protect those who may be a danger to themselves or others, authorizing the use of firearm ownership data for public health research or epidemiologic investigation, strengthening existing safe storage laws, and awareness efforts of the role that firearms play in suicides, especially in youth and adolescents.



Past MNAAP President Sheldon Berkowitz, MD, FAAP, advocated for these measures in a&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ugyLHztrZf2Nc-kiWpoksJ2_4sC1cN793kOxeSnUpucYopdOUHy_blHkBL0-WpZ42qdPp0S5bp_JhF4PSb1--BMy7kakdWaMONLzp8Ithx4tz4zwZajXG27Le1miuFOxzk3aTnBRYHX7reOfVH3k9PDlhR-zciwqgaqWRhWbbdIQvGzhxg_wZaMKij6DH980wOBw0MmGF-oyTMM9_oXifIBW3cxXz-jMs_sfXQjOf0j7nW-_BZO1sw==&amp;c=nJqWcPlyfe1KPc_ugSTr0FTxuXEttbC2Z94BVBT4PJHy692vIOPRPg==&amp;ch=8FNwYMTZ8tpGaib_jVnMeN68KX8JepLdE-a9F6R10R3z3KJX5gZdLg==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Star Tribune Readers Write&nbsp;</a>submission he authored. Dr. Berkowitz wrote, &#8220;If we are serious about honoring their memories, our legislators must pass commonsense gun-violence-prevention laws and stop hiding behind the Second Amendment. In addition, we all must talk to our communities about gun violence and teach that there are alternatives to using guns to settle disagreements.&#8221;&nbsp;

MNAAP Supports Common Sense Firearm Control Measures

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001kSTLO1YMwYTudSgdTRwExrm0xXkFK61XajdJ62VMFiro44JEz7X_0mwFEx0ExlfcIhmxgpZpuwyfGfILlCuN6UjZZOWMcmTVt3PcC-r9TT-exYsEmEjfveMLdUXCIAtYSxu3lOqjhUl1i7-n4xV6qgLuuT3mUnyzCyz5rGVo3L3_h2OuhUKp_LSvdSyJk8_IHASIbHdU_NAtDMsN2shgFm68BKMxuOkJ&amp;c=Plymbp4eZrBiEBRLWGCdINMC4q-gB4CT1OA-NPPd0F-GxmnotKbeMQ==&amp;ch=UUB81pn-VWh7uJ0koVmCYrylqiHBBiH752EKVKus23ytiNO6i7hBpg==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HF5</a>&nbsp;(Jordan, DFL – Minneapolis), a bipartisan bill to allocate about $200 million annually to offer Minnesota students free breakfast and lunch, regardless of family income, passed off the Senate floor on March 14. It was then passed in the House on March 16, and signed into law the following day. Minnesota is now the third state in the nation to offer free school meals to students.



Governor Walz signed the bill into law at a ceremony in a Minneapolis elementary school alongside Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and a pack of school children.



“I was one in six of those Minnesota children who experienced hunger. I was one of those children who grew up with a different colored lunch ticket because my family utilized free and reduced price lunch,” said Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan after the ceremony. “By providing free breakfast and lunch to all of our students, we are removing barriers and removing stigma from the lunchroom.”



Under the free meals program, students would be guaranteed access to the same school lunch provided to all other students under federal guidelines. The bill automatically enrolls students in the federal free school meal program. Previously, parents needed to apply for the free school meal program through a federal reimbursement program based on income.



Initial funding would start in the 2024 fiscal year, with $190 million. That amount would increase to $213 million by 2027.

Free School Lunches Passed by Legislature, Signed by Governor

Pediatricians in Minnesota have a large role
to play in the prevention, diagnosis, and linkage to care for young people in
regards to HIV infection.&nbsp; Each year,
young people in the state are newly diagnosed with HIV.&nbsp; Furthermore, there are young people who are
living with HIV in our state who need and deserve high-quality HIV-specific and
general primary care.&nbsp; 



The science of HIV prevention is advancing
rapidly, and includes behavioral approaches such as condom use, structural
approaches such as housing support and economic justice, and biomedical
approaches such as the promotion of pre-exposure prophylaxis or “PrEP”
medications.&nbsp; Pediatricians can work at
all of these levels, for example by using motivational interviewing practices
with young people to promote the use of condoms, advocating on a state level to
improve the social drivers of health for young people, and for making the
assessment of the need for PrEP and the prescribing of PrEP a routine part of
clinical practice.&nbsp; For more information
about the medications used as HIV prophylaxis, which are FDA approved for
adults and adolescents weighing greater than 35 kg, and guidelines for
prescribing, the CDC HIV Nexus Clinician Resources is open access and can be
found here:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/clinicians/prevention/prescribe-prep.html">https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/clinicians/prevention/prescribe-prep.html</a>.&nbsp; 



It is critical that young people diagnosed
with HIV are quickly linked to HIV treatment services.&nbsp; The Youth and AIDS Projects (YAP) is a
grant-funded organization based in the Twin Cities and affiliated with the
Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota.&nbsp; YAP has a thirty-year history of working with
youth and young adults, and is a resource for pediatricians and pediatric
service providers.&nbsp; YAP was established
in 1989 as one of the first HIV-service organizations in the US to focus on
young people, and continues to be guided by the principle that young people can
and do make responsible health-related decisions when given appropriate
resources and support.&nbsp; YAP staff are
deeply invested in helping young people with intersectional barriers to health
and are adept at working with other youth-centered agencies to address young
peoples’ needs.&nbsp; YAP staff are also
engaged in the training of the next generation of health care providers,
including resident trainees.&nbsp; YAP’s
current programs include comprehensive medical and non-medical case management
for young people ages thirteen to thirty years old who are living with HIV, HIV
treatment adherence, HIV testing, and health education/risk reduction for young
people living with HIV.&nbsp; YAP also is
engaged in Covid-19 vaccination education with a specific focus on vaccine education
for young people who identify as LGBTQ+.&nbsp;




For pediatricians and other pediatric service
providers who are seeing adolescent patients in a clinical setting, YAP staff
are a resource on diverse topics such as PrEP, counseling around HIV testing,
and linking young people who receive a reactive HIV test to care.&nbsp; YAP staff meet young people where they are,
for example meeting with recently young people in clinical settings in
collaboration with providers as the young people receive their results, in
order to provide immediate support and education.&nbsp; To refer a patient for services, or to
connect with YAP’s staff for other education and support, contact information
can be found on YAP’s web page under “service referrals:” <a href="https://www.yapmn.org/service-referrals.html">https://www.yapmn.org/service-referrals.html</a>.&nbsp; Additionally, service providers can directly
contact Val Crutcher, YAP’s Executive Director, at (651) 231-4849.&nbsp; Ms. Crutcher is one of the Twin Cities
experts on services for young people, with 32 years of experience working with
at-risk youth and 28 years working with youth living with HIV.&nbsp; She and the YAP team regularly assist
providers in navigating next steps for enrollment in YAP’s programs and other
referrals for young people.&nbsp; Ms. Crutcher
has built an incredible YAP team to address HIV-related health disparities more
effectively. Because YAP staff members have experienced many of the struggles
that young people living with HIV face, they have a unique ability to connect
with young people, a factor that facilitates engagement and ultimately improves
health outcomes.







About the Author



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.mnaap.org/wp-lib/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Calla-Brown-819x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-4066" width="126" height="158"/></figure></div>



Calla Brown, MD, MHR, FAAP, is an internist and pediatrician with clinical and research interests that include primary care, care of complex chronic medical conditions in children and adults, community health, and health justice. Her interest in these topics was cemented during her service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador from 2003-2005. Dr. Brown is an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics, she practices med/peds primary care at a local community health center and is the medical director of YAP [Youth and AIDS Projects] in the Twin Cities.



.

Supporting Young People Living with HIV: The Youth and AIDS Projects (YAP)

Amid a rapidly evolving online health information ecosystem, the American Academy of Pediatrics is excited to announce the launch of the&nbsp;Pediatric Digital Response Hub (PDRH). This online space is for pediatricians, children’s health advocates, and AAP-affiliates who use social media to promote health information and address misinformation.



Through resource-sharing and discussion, AAP will use the hub to explore and share best practices for both rapid-response and long-term messaging. Tthe hub activity will start with a focus around COVID-19 vaccination especially for children under 5.&nbsp;



If you are interested in joining the hub, please take a few minutes to complete the intake survey, linked&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gKYrQErtt0hIpXIElP15uhSKFMFhC7iMrewZUPOKDGquXVbUTosIM_izY_t1oWYw8yZ1cOIEipIuttl1CC5loWvYx8N1GfNq4bAL5PnboNv5pGPgBciZSUbDeUTV2bB1AzKGwUUGq0QDbcUSthJB3YFeqST7RQmAZ6kyj_ny9wI=&amp;c=Nf_vKgY7lyJq0UCYyj62UjZeGTTmzNpimIP4cSvY4-e9JIke6VzSAg==&amp;ch=IID2qCkeD_U0uTEtShhQdry5_n2FAYFSFIpCc48UJ9FENoO2t4g9_Q==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. Please email Dan DeBrakeleer at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:ddebrakeleer@aap.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ddebrakeleer@aap.org</a>&nbsp;with any questions.&nbsp;

AAP Forms Pediatric Digital Response Hub to Fight Misinformation

The Minnesota Secretary of State is now is accepting applications for the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Council. Working in partnership with the Children’s Cabinet, members of the advisory council convene and align efforts around children and families. The advisory council is focused on promoting equity and addressing the opportunity gap from a whole family, whole system approach. Recommendations and feedback provided by the advisory council play a critical role in shaping the actions and policies of state agencies and the governor’s office, including the governor’s recent <a href="https://mn.gov/governor/minnesotabudget/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">One MN budget proposals</a>.



The time commitment is one two-hour virtual meeting every other month, typically Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. MNAAP Board Member Andrea Singh, MD, FAAP, currently sits on the advisory council and wrote about her experiences in an article for <a href="http://www.mnaap.org/advisory-council-focuses-on-minnesotas-children-amidst-tumultuous-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Minnesota Pediatrician</a> in December 2020.



Apply for the Children&#8217;s Cabinet Advisory Council&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ioY--kDNAchyxhk2-rRIUYeZeVLh7NRRCseT5pr2g_zgqJo2twTVh3sAInvGB-xrzvdGaVXdqB44yoNSnnuWBRFU0ISNhwNerGXpmSCBJk7Gg9CmILdbOXEnBdkgSR2woQHwcOeOokcSiqZ081ZDkU-th1RqCoEtb43lf8XukDTtGQZrzKM1YzDlM9D2lHQtwX10gPMtDk1EGXszCf6jsg==&amp;c=hWqd6PUv4hpMbE-feEkEYLlORABGhsjCk2Te7iHpCW9uXl9WV_CkOw==&amp;ch=prox-0b6PIt1ptOdNSwK4Sme5lVJ8U5riKPhiJX6CVElph_wnAuD7A==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.

Advocacy Updates