Category: News & Events

Mercy Care and Feeding Matters have a lot in common. We both got our start in Arizona: Mercy Care in 1985 and Feeding Matters in 2006. We both provide care and services for children and their families. We both specialize in serving people with complicated health conditions. And when it is difficult or impossible for a child to eat, drink, or digest food normally, we both recognize a complicated health condition called pediatric feeding disorder, or PFD.

Mercy Care has partnered with Feeding Matters for years, providing financial support in the form of sponsorships and other resources to support research and awareness efforts addressing PFD. For example, Christi Lundeen, our chief innovation officer, helped draft the original business plan for Feeding Matters, back when their original name was P.O.P.S.I.C.L.E. Today, Christi sits on Feeding Matters’ board of directors and provides information between our two organizations that helps families of a child with PFD get the therapies and other services they need. Mercy Care clinicians have provided guidance and information to Feeding Matters as they have developed their approach to service delivery and advocacy for families.

PFD can impact a child’s mental, emotional and developmental progress, in addition to their physical growth. Mercy Care serves thousands of members with developmental disabilities throughout Arizona. We’re familiar with the needs of families navigating PFD. That’s why we’ve also participated on the planning committee for Feeding Matters’ annual community luncheon, which raised more than $276,000 this year. We’re also sponsoring the 6th International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference (IPFDC) in January 2019.

Mercy Care is proud of our collaboration with Feeding Matters and the work that is underway to raise awareness of this often misunderstood diagnosis. We encourage other companies to also get involved. Healthier kids mean healthier communities, for all of us.

What is a Symposium?

A symposium is a formal gathering where experts in their field converge to discuss a specific topic. This basic definition may not capture your attention, but a closer look reveals the true potential within the symposium walls. A symposium is characterized by an openly discursive format balanced by a focused area of examination. Multiple voices are intended to be heard and open discussion reigns. This forum allows dynamic think tanks to devise innovative ideas around a central subject.

What is the Feeding Matters Symposium?

Feeding Matters will host a symposium before, during, and after the 2019 IPFDC in which we will examine how we will advance early identification, ignite research, and promote collaborative care for pediatric feeding disorder. The key ideas generated in the symposium will guide our strategic planning as we advocate for change through education, advocacy, and research goals.

The Feeding Matters Symposium is comprised of three phases: Digital Ideation, In-Person Symposium, and the Leadership Alliance Meeting. Each phase of the Symposium guides the phase that follows.

• Phase 1: Digital Ideation- Phase 1 supports information gathering from our community at large. Questions will be proposed to the public under 3 pillars: Research, Advocacy, and Education. Responses will be submitted digitally as participants complete online surveys.
• Phase 2: The In-Person Symposium-During Phase 2, information gathered from the online surveys is examined and prioritized by 2019 IPFDC attendees. During this Phase, conference attendees take a deeper dive into identified areas of interest under each pillar.
• Phase 3: The Leadership Alliance Meeting- Phase 3 is a cumulation of the Symposium. Here, Feeding Matters Leadership and thought leaders converge to finalize the strategic goals for the upcoming year. A plan is developed based on information submitted from Phase 1 through Phase 3 of the Symposium.

How Can I Advocate for Change?

Participate; your voice matters, but only you can share it! The feeding community is comprised of individual voices coming to together over a shared goal: to advance care for pediatric feeding disorder.

• First, complete the Digital Ideation Survey. An email will be sent with links to our digital hosts where you can submit your views, comments, and pose questions.
• Second, attend conference. After the formal 2-day conference has closed, Feeding Matters will host the In-Person Symposium for conference participants. Here, we will identify our priorities and strategize solutions as a team.
• Third, get involved. Once information from the Digital Ideation and In-Person Symposium has been analyzed, the strategic plan will be developed at the Leadership Alliance Meeting. Feeding Matters will publish this strategic plan based on suggestions from the other phases of the Symposium. Complete transparency is honored as we build partnerships, capture talent, and execute innovative initiatives.

The feeding community is our greatest shared asset. We thank you for your time and passion as we work together to make all of our dreams, families, and professional alike, a reality.

We look forward to your participation in the 2019 Feeding Matters Symposium!

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

The world of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is changing. With the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition accepting “Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework” for publication, PFD has transitioned from being regarded as a symptom to now having its own identity and diagnosis. As information and resources regarding PFD become more available, so does the need for a supportive network, proper education, and a space to foster collaborative communication surrounding all aspects of PFD. As a response to these changing needs and feedback from the pediatric feeding community, Feeding Matters introduces the Pediatric Feeding Disorder Alliance (PFD Alliance).

Igniting unprecedented systemic change through shared-collective decisions, insights, and ideas, the PFD Alliance unites the field’s leading advocates, medical experts, allied healthcare professionals, families, and more. Feeding Matters’ Pediatric Feeding Disorder Alliance provides an opportunity for broad participation in education, research, and advocacy to advance the system of care for PFD.

Goals of Feeding Matters’ PFD Alliance

The goal of the Pediatric Feeding Disorder Alliance is to further advances in pediatric feeding disorder by accelerating identification, igniting research, and promoting collaborative care. This is accomplished in many ways, including:

• Working toward solutions on issues identified as priorities within the field
• Looking for areas of collaboration with public health partners outside of Feeding Matters
• Identifying emerging public health projects and sharing work openly across partners
• Determining a common language for all PFD professionals to adopt and use
• Sharing data to enhance treatment
• Advocating on behalf of pediatric feeding disorders and Feeding Matters
• Funding Research to advance the PFD field

Feeding Matters’ PFD Alliance Philosophy

The PFD Alliance philosophy emphasizes the importance of multiple perspectives for collaboration and even distribution of resources and information. This includes the understanding that:

• Families/caregivers are an equal and valued member of the treatment team and should be respected in this way.
• The domains represented in the evaluation of PFD must include medical, nutrition, psychosocial, and feeding skill.
• There are no identified longitudinal, evidence-based best practices for intervention. This is due to the lack of longitudinal information available in the current research, and the heterogeneous nature of the population of children with pediatric feeding disorder. As a result, we believe it is critical that

o A family’s definition of success be incorporated into treatment planning

o Treatment philosophies may not be equally appropriate for all children

o That families should be well informed about all services that exist

Join us today and become a PFD Alliance Member

Feeding Matters’ PFD Alliance membership is free and open to anyone with a passion for pediatric feeding disorder. Calls to serve for leadership opportunities and specific committees are issued once per year or as identified by the Executive Council. Member enrollment for Education, Advocacy, and Research Pillars remains open year round.

Are you interested in learning more or joining?

Please fill out the information to join PFD Alliance and start receiving communication today.

2018 was an exciting year of growth for Feeding Matters and the pediatric feeding community. From welcoming new team members to our Feeding Matters’ family to expanding our partnerships and donations received, we were constantly moving to further advances for pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). One of our biggest accomplishments in 2018 was the acceptance of our consensus paper for publication by the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. This a major step toward earlier identification, qualification for early intervention, opportunities for research, accurate classifications, and so much more. As we say goodbye to 2018 and all that we have accomplished this year, let us take a glance at what you can expect from Feeding Matters in the year ahead. PFD Alliance In our growing effort to provide support for families, healthcare professionals, and the community at large, Feeding Matters’ Medical Professional Council is expanding to become the Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) Alliance. Launched just this month, the PFD Alliance will really begin to take off in 2019 – uniting advocates from all walks of life to advance education, research, and advocacy for PFD. Click here you are interested in learning more or want to get involved. Save the Date: 2020 Virtual Conference We’re so excited for the 6th International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference (IPFDC) that’s taking place January 17- 19, that we’re already looking ahead to our 2020 conference. As our network and awareness of PFD grows internationally, we want to do our best to accommodate our friends, supporters, and partners from around the globe. For the first time in our conference history, the 2020 IPFDC will take place 100% virtually. Be on the lookout for more information that will come at the 6^th IPFDC and throughout the year. Workshops Feeding Matters takes great pride in being a reliable source of information for families, healthcare professionals, advocates, and anyone who wants to learn more about PFD. Our virtual and on-demand workshops are just one of many ways we share this information. Check out the 2019 slate of workshops:

• February 21: Suzanne Evans Morris
• March 21: PFD Authors
• April 18: Marsha Dunn Klein
• June 20: Melanie Potock & Dr. Nimali
• August 15: TBD
• October 17: TBD

You will not want to miss the great insights, updates, and information from these experts. Register today! Party with a Purpose: Studio 54 Break out your dancing shoes and your best 70’s-themed party outfit. Feeding Matters is going Studio 54! This inaugural Party with a Purpose will feature music, a silent auction, and much more. Save the date for April 27, 2019 so you can join us as we put the “fun” in fundraising for PFD awareness. As you can see, 2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Feeding Matters and everyone involved with our mission. We encourage you to subscribe to the Feeding Matters’ newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to stay up-to-date on events, workshops, and PFD news. We hope everyone has a safe and happy new year. See you in 2019!

Our feeding community has a multitude of options when it comes to continuing education and professional and personal outreach. You may attend in-person workshops, view webinars, participate in chats, or peruse an article. So why should you attend Feeding Matters’ 6^th Annual IPFDC?

Simply put, it’s different! Only Feeding Matters provides the community with an educational pathway, a pathway between evidence-based research and tangible change in how those impacted by Pediatric Feeding Disorder are supported. We seek to change how services are delivered, to change to how service is accessed, and most importantly change to how our families’ voices are heard.

How do we create change through an annual conference? Well, it starts with you! First, the feeding community will be invited to vote on critical thought questions pertaining to pediatric feeding disorder through Digital Ideation. Digital Ideation is a public feedback process where families, professionals, and community members are called to submit their thoughts on pediatric feeding disorder needs through an online survey. Your voice will be heard even before the conference begins. Secondly, you will be welcomed to a conference, which has been strategically designed to represent a wide variety of disciplines and thought leaders instrumental to multi-disciplinary management of pediatric feeding disorder. This conference serves as an annual update on the evidence as our high level, internationally recognized speakers bring our feeding community closer together through research, innovative thought, and advocacy.

And the difference continues…After sessions have closed, the in-person symposium begins. Conference attendees are invited to bring their thoughts to the table as we unite to discuss the critical questions purposed during Digital Ideation before conference began. You will have the opportunity to take a deeper dive into one of three areas- Research, Advocacy or Education- as a pathway to change is laid. These deep dives will focus on developing strategies to meet the goals and ideas identified during Digital Ideation. Only here will research turn into practice and practice turn into optimal outcomes for every family. And yes, first we need you!

Feeding Matters will then ensure these goals are executed as our Leadership Alliance formalizes a strategic plan. The results of the Leadership Alliance’s planning session will be shared with the public. Our promise to you is that, as our feeding community, you will be informed and our efforts to move the field forward will be fully transparent. Your suggestions will guide our initiatives and expose additional areas where you can influence outcomes!

Feeding Matters’ 2019 International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference (IPFDC) was a huge success! With 346 in person attendees, 118 virtual participants, and 145 symposium participants, Feeding Matters is set to advance pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) care through ongoing initiatives and our newly formed PFD Alliance. The PFD Alliance is comprised of three pillars, each led by an expert level innovator in feeding:

• Research Pillar Chair-Hayley Henrikson Estrem, RN, PhD
  • A registered nurse since 2002, Dr. Haley Estrem earned her MSN in nursing education at Duke University in 2009 and her PhD in nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2015. Inspired to improve family-centered care for children with feeding problems and developmental disabilities following the birth of her son, Dr. Estrem’s research interest combines measure development, multi-method integration, and family-centered care for infants and children with special health care needs. Since 2009, Haley has been a member of UNC’s Feeding Flock, an interdisciplinary research team with a mission to partner with families to nurture young children with feeding difficulties. In 2018, Dr. Estrem became an assistant professor with UNC-Wilmington’s School of Nursing.
• Advocacy Pillar Chair-Erin Sundseth Ross, PhD, CCC-SLP
  • Erin Ross is a post-doctoral fellow in the School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nutrition, at the University of Colorado Denver, Dr. Ross specializes clinically in the development of feeding skills and the etiology and treatment of feeding and growth problems in infants and very young children. Dr. Ross’ research interests focus on understanding typical feeding and growth and on identifying and treating infants and young children who are not developing typically in these areas. Her contributions to Feeding Matters include pediatric feeding consortiums participant; International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference (IPFDC) and continuing education workshop presenter; serving on the Local Initiatives, Advocacy, IPFDC, PFD Alliance Expansion, and Executive committees; Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire (ICFQ) Treatment and Research Committee lead and co-author.
• Education Pillar Chair-Pamela Dodrill, PhD, CCC-SLP
  • Dr. Pamela Dodrill has broad clinical and research interest in feeding and swallowing problems, nutrition, and growth in young children. Her experience includes the feeding and swallowing program at Boston Children’s Hospital and 12 years at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. In addition to her numerous published works on pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), Dr. Dodrill regularly presents at national and international scientific conferences, and teaches courses and workshops on managing PFD to students and practicing health professionals. Dr. Dodrill is a regular participant in Feeding Matters’ pediatric feeding consortiums and consensus meeting, popular International Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conference (IPFDC) and continuing education workshop presenter, PFD consensus paper author, Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire (ICFQ) committee member, and PFD Dissemination Committee co-lead.

To join a coalition driven to expand community perspectives on PFD, sign up for pillar communication. You will receive updates from your pillar chair, be able to access resources, and have a forum to pose your questions and connect with other feeding professionals and advocates. You can sign up for a single pillar or all three!

https://feedingmatters.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=fd36d469bacb043d07c6e0d7d&id=6cc258625f

What’s Next?

• Now that Feeding Matters’ Leadership and thought leaders have converged at the 2019 IPFDC, the Feeding Matters’ Strategic Plan will be finalized for publication and public viewing. We will maintain our commitment to the community to be completely transparent as we apply your voice to our strategic priorities.
• The PFD Alliance announces an Open Call for Committee Members. The following Committees have opportunities available to qualified applicants. This opportunity is for professionals and community members seeking a more in-depth leadership experience with the ability to contribute their time and talents within a formal commitment.

• Education Pillar: Conference Committee
  • The conference committee works to determine the conference agenda topics and speakers along with choosing presentations featured during our poster session. During the year, the committee works to ensure that the planning of the conference goes well and educational opportunities are of the highest caliber for attendees
• Education Pillar: Resources Committee
  • The resources committee works to determine what partnerships need to be built with existing groups to provide more information around pediatric feeding disorder and how Feeding Matters can be the conduit of information. The committee also works to maintain usability of our website as we investigate areas of improvements within our existing virtual health resource platform.
• Research Pillar: Granting Research
  • The research and granting committee assess research needs, reviews applications, and grants dollars to researchers interested in moving the field of pediatric feeding disorder forward.

Applications will be reviewed based on fulfillment of one of the following qualification areas:

• Healthcare Professional Qualifications: submission form, which includes discipline (MD, RD, SLP, OT, PT, Psych, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, PA, Social Worker, or others who care for children with pediatric feeding disorder), years of experience in the pediatric feeding disorder field, and qualifications.
• Qualification as a Family Member/Caregiver Qualifications: submission form with family member or caregiver’s description of his or her experience with a child with a pediatric feeding disorder and years of experience.
• Public Member Qualifications: submission form with the description of years of experience in the field.

All applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the area they are representing and be able to submit evidence that they hold established volunteer experience. Committee members participate in monthly or bimonthly committee calls, as well as committee specific actions. Please click the committee link below to apply.

https://www.tfaforms.com/4697410

• Each Pilar will host a Town Hall in the summer of 2019. Town Halls provide our PFD Alliance community with a strategic update on pillar initiatives. Sign up to receive Pillar communication to ensure you do not overlook this valuable update.