Recent Accomplishments
DC AAP Impact Report: Hope Starts With Us!
The D.C. Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (DC AAP) is comprised of over 450 pediatricians committed to the optimal health and development of children and adolescents of Washington, DC. DC AAP is tackling some of the greatest health inequities to Washington, DC’s children and adolescents. Our approach is to design early interventions, connections families to services, and to advocate policy for needed systems change.
In everyday practice, pediatricians experience the first hand health, social, and emotions challenges for their patients. DC AAP becomes the connector to develop via solutions for healthier outcomes. Through the chapter’s collective expertise, pediatricians become the experts at the table for children’s issues.
2023-2024 Accomplishments
Special Events and Initiatives
Addressing Community Violence and Building Community Resilience
This year-long initiative for DCAAP’s Child Health Policy Agenda. Launched in September 2023, with our Fall Symposium, Chapter members are working toward a “Prescription for the District,” with a multi-disciplinary group of stakeholders (pediatric health care providers, teens, teen advocates, parents, educators and community organizations) to develop priorities for building stronger communities and preventing community violence.
Immigrant Health & Toolkit
The Immigrant Health Committee established a work group back in 2014 and remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for health equity among immigrant populations. In November, DCAAP launched a newly enhanced Immigrant Health Toolkit website, with comprehensive resources aimed at advancing health care equity for immigrant children and families with updates resources across the DMV, not just the District.
A New Programmatic Area of Focus: School Health & Post-Pandemic Recovery
The Chapter’s ongoing support of school health took center stage during back-to-school health fairs and community events throughout the fall, with a special grant for “Managing Infectious Diseases in Schools.” The grant team provided PPE kits (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer) to grade schools children and STI education and condoms to high school both directly and through community partners. Ongoing social media will reinforce the Chapter’s efforts.
A New Education Fund
Carved out of our yearly operations budget and supported through the annual donation drive, the Chapter established a fund to support the development of medical students, residents, and fellows by allowing them to attend local meetings where they engage in additional professional development, connect with peers and network.
Grant-led Initiatives
Health Steps Healthy Futures
Funded through a generous grant from the Bainum Family Foundation, the Chapter continued its participation in the Under 3 Coalition. Together, with more than 30 other organizations, the Coalition advocates for pay equity for early childcare providers and key programs such as HealthySteps and Healthy Futures.
Food Insecurity
DCAAP continues its collaboration with DC WIC for a third year to design and implement a secure referral platform between pediatric providers and the agency. FindHelp, an online social care network, serves as a pilot solution. Development will continue into 2024 with additional funding secured.
Pediatric Nutrition
Through ongoing support from Abbott, DCAAP hosted a special webinar on the impact of food insecurity and food inequity on families within the first 1000 days of life. The discussion addressed common gaps in nutrition education and offered resources primary care and subspeciality pediatricians can utilize. A second webinar is in the works with the Capital Area Food Bank on the state of food insecurity in DC.
Health Equity and Immunization Grants
The chapter has received a number of immunization grants through the national AAP organization to support health equity and immunization access for HPV, COVID-19, RSV, the flu, as well as the measles. Chapter members work with parents and families to dispel myths and misperceptions about vaccines while promoting access through the DC Government and other providers.
Disaster Preparedness
Now in its second grant period, Disaster Preparedness Ambassadors work together to educate and equip pediatricians and other pediatric health care professionals to ensure that the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents are addressed in the disaster preparedness efforts in their states, jurisdictions, and local communities. DCAAP surveyed its membership and physicians from the surrounding chapters to help prioritize topics for future trainings.
Building Capacity for Trauma-Informed Pediatric Care
DCAAP received its second grant award from national AAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support efforts to build capacity, promote awareness, and provide education related to relational health and trauma-informed care. A special resources section has been added to AAPDC.org and the chapter has engaged community and state public health organizations to foster partnerships and build support for systems-level change. Ongoing trainings are planned with local resources.
Project Firstline
A four-year CDC social media initiative to encourage infection prevention and best practices among health care workers. Ongoing posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram help remind practitioners – as well as the community — to protect themselves against community viruses and seasonal illnesses.
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Review
Funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the NCFRP to improve infant safe sleep practices through a pediatric ED-based safe sleep educational program that includes the distribution of portable cribs and sleep sacks to families with infants who report less safe sleeping practices.
Special Collaborations
Oral Health and Human Trafficking
Through a special grant, DCAAP and oral health care providers hosted a joint education event with a guest speaker from the FBI. This networking opportunity was designed to build collaboration among providers on the signs of human trafficking during patient visits.
Joint convening of the DC, MD, and VA AAP Chapters
Held during the AAP’s annual National Convention and Exhibition (NCE) conference in DC, the three chapters met for an evening of networking and an opportunity to kickstart potential collaboration across the chapters and the DMV.