September 2021
The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Action Plan has received the support of the Board of Directors and the committee is now working with Academy organizational units and groups to implement tactics that best reflect each unit’s goals and responsibilities in fostering diversity throughout the profession.
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The Academy's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Action Plan is a sustainable, living document designed to move the dietetics profession towards an increasingly welcome and inclusive future. The plan's goals and strategies were carefully developed from member and professional feedback gathered from listening sessions, stakeholder communications, and representatives of Academy organizational units and groups, as well as from benchmarking with other healthcare organizations. Tactics and metrics have been developed for each strategy, and outcomes from the initiatives will be measured and the plan modified accordingly over time to ensure continuous positive change.
The Academy is committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity and access throughout the nutrition and dietetics profession, as well as creating educational and work environments free from bias and discrimination. Below are highlights of inclusion, diversity, equity and access projects and initiatives of Academy dietetic practice groups, member interest groups, Academy and affiliates, as well as resources to assist nutrition and dietetics practitioners in meeting the needs of all clients and colleagues with the goal of improving equity and access for everyone. Read the latest updates from all organizational units at the Academy, meet the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Committee, learn about IDEA grants and scholarships, share your stories, and more.
Learn about IDEA projects from the Academy, its organizational units and affiliates as they share their insights and experiences — serving as inspiration for other initiatives, developing collaborative relationships and demonstrating that together, we can achieve the Academy's inclusion, diversity, equity and access impact goals.
In 2020, the DBC Leadership Team launched the DBC Diversity and Inclusion Communications Program, which provides members with essential tools and education to recognize, value, and effectively address the needs of various audiences, including but not limited to culture, ethnicity, gender, race, age, body size/image, capability (rather than disability), religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, geography, education and philosophy.
Program Components To-Date
In 2020, the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NYSAND) appointed a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Liaison to plan and facilitate D&I outreach and initiatives that meet Academy and NYSAND strategic plans, promotes and increases representation of diverse individuals in the profession and increases cultural competency of its members. Additionally, NYSAND districts have appointed diversity positions and hosted events to further advance D&I efforts on the local level.
Program Components To-Date
The South Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SCAND) implemented a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Strategic Plan for 2020-2021 and has made tremendous strides towards accomplishing its objectives. Like the Academy did with its revised Strategic Plan, D&I is now a focus area on the overall SCAND Strategic Plan. The SCAND D&I Strategic Plan includes 5 key points: Accountability, Marketing, Visibility, Relationships, and Leadership.
Program Components To-Date
MIGs are groups of Academy members reflect the many characteristics of the profession and the public it serves. Academy MIGs include:
10/06/2021 - The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is seeking student members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to apply for the Student Member position on the Foundation's Board of Directors.
09/27/2021 - Leaders of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and the announced a strategic partnership aimed at reducing health disparities for African Americans focused on aligning nutrition security and ministry outreach during the launch of NBCUSA’s convening of faith leaders.
09/16/2021 - Join the Food Storytelling Collective for virutal cooking demonstrations hosted by pairs of North Carolina Asian Americans Together community members.
08/31/2021 - The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation has selected dietetics students Gabriela Naveda and Latina Robinson as the recipients of its Advancing Diversity in Dietetics Scholarship.
08/03/2021 - The Academy supports Black Women’s Equal Pay Day on August 3, and will continue to advocate for policies that ensure equal pay for women as an important step in fostering financial and nutrition security for families.
05/19/2021 - We share the strategic goal of achieving health equity and offer our support in your work, as a food and nutrition professional organization and as essential workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
04/28/2021 - U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (Ill.) and 10 members of Congress have urged House Appropriations Committee leadership to include $310 million in funding to address racial disparities in nutrition.
04/08/2021 - The Academy Foundation is accepting applications for a new Advancing Diversity in Dietetics Scholarship that will provide $25,000 each to two aspiring RDNs of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
03/31/2021 - The Foundation has awarded its first Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship to registered dietitian nutritionist Marie AK Allsopp, a clinical assistant professor in nutrition science at Purdue University.
03/18/2021 - The Academy stands firmly with our members and all Americans of Asian descent, and in strong opposition to recent increases in threats, harassment and violence against members of the Asian community in the United States.
