NACDD continues to offer a leadership opportunity called ECHO® Clinics for state Chronic Disease Directors to engage in peer-to-peer conversations contributing to emerging issues in public health that impact states. These clinics provide a “case management” focus to select topics and allow for in-depth discussion by the participants. The clinics leverage ECHO hub-and-spoke connectivity technology and are founded on principles that support communities of practice and peer mentoring. The clinics offer a facilitated discussion to engage creative thinking about emerging issues impacting public health practitioners working in chronic disease. The 2020 ECHO Clinics consisted of two sessions that provided a virtual peer-learning platform to hear firsthand from states on the topic of Public Health Practitioners Leading in a Time of Crisis, specifically COVID-19’s impact on mental health. 
 
ECHO Clinic speakers for both sessions were Dr. Benjamin F. Miller, PsyD, Chief Strategy Officer for Well Being Trust and Jill Myers Geadelmann, Chief of the Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Bureau at the Iowa Department of Public Health. Dr. Miller spoke from a national perspective on COVID-19’s impact on mental health. Ms. Geadelmann provided participants with insight into how the Iowa Department of Health is supporting their staff’s heath and encouraging wellness. The first clinic was geared to frame the mental health impact discussion from a macro perspective, analyzing policies and discussing possible solutions. By the end of the clinic, participants were educated on the ways COVID-19 has impacted our communities’ mental health, how mental health could be better addressed through novel models of care, and the ways in which participants could immediately make a positive impact on mental health in their communities. The second clinic focused on taking mental health interventions to scale. Discussions included information on practices for integrating mental health, actions states/communities can take to better integrate through delivery and financing, and understanding policy options for better mental health integration.
 
Two ECHO Clinics are planned for spring 2021. More information will be available once dates and topics are finalized.  

Read more from the October 2020 issue of Impact Brief below.

• NACDD Submits Comments on Expanding Telehealth Benefits
  NACDD has submitted a response to a comment period proposing changes to expand telehealth permanently. The proposed rule would extend the availability of certain telemedicine services after the PHE ends, giving Medicare beneficiaries more convenient ways to access healthcare, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare providers may otherwise be limited.This is an important… Read more: NACDD Submits Comments on Expanding Telehealth Benefits
• 2020 ECHO Clinics Focused on Public Health Practitioners Leading in a Time of Crisis
  NACDD continues to offer a leadership opportunity called ECHO® Clinics for state Chronic Disease Directors to engage in peer-to-peer conversations contributing to emerging issues in public health that impact states. These clinics provide a “case management” focus to select topics and allow for in-depth discussion by the participants. The clinics leverage ECHO hub-and-spoke connectivity technology and… Read more: 2020 ECHO Clinics Focused on Public Health Practitioners Leading in a Time of Crisis
• Successes Among Arthritis Work
  Arthritis continues to affect about one in four adults in the United States or more than 54 million people. Physical activity is an important management technique for arthritis and other chronic conditions. By implementing low cost, evidence-based, self-management programs like Walk With Ease, people with arthritis and other chronic conditions will experience increased balance and strength,… Read more: Successes Among Arthritis Work
• Preventing Diabetes One State at a Time Adds Up for Collective Impact
  The new Collective Impact in Action report provides a look at the longstanding impact of the NACDD/CDC State Engagement Model on scaling and sustaining the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) across the states. The report also features an in-depth look at the important work of 14 states that have participated in the model and offers a rich… Read more: Preventing Diabetes One State at a Time Adds Up for Collective Impact
• From the CEO – October 2020 Impact Brief
  NACDD Among Atlanta’s 75 Largest Nonprofits; Board President’s Challenge Aligns With Association’s Commitment to Advance Racial Equity As NACDD moves into our new fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, we are excited about the Association’s continued growth and new opportunities to support our Mission. At a time when many Chronic Disease Units are experiencing significant challenges… Read more: From the CEO – October 2020 Impact Brief