Online Program

291337
How to advocate for health education, while marketing the ches and mches credentials


Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 11:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Beth Chaney, PhD, MCHES, Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Melissa A. Rehrig, MPH, MCHES, National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc, Whitehall, PA
Kelly Wilson, PhD, MCHES, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Linda Lysoby, MS, MCHES, CAE, National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc (NCHEC), Whitehall, PA
Communicating and advocating for Health and Health Education is one of the Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialist, defined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC). As the recognized credentialing body for the Health Education Profession, NCHEC includes advocacy for the certification and profession in its strategic plan. NCHEC and the Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE) supported the inclusion of Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) in the updated American Diabetes Association (ADA) standards. Beginning in 2012, the standards recognized CHES and MCHES professionals as part of the instructional staff for the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support teams. This change allows CHES/MCHES who work in diabetes self-management education programs to possibly bill for their service through their employers. Other efforts are being made in certain states such as Hawaii to support legislation to require certification to provide health education services. NCHEC and SOPHE will continue to be advocates for the certification and profession; however, those certified must assist with the cause. This presentation will outline ways for CHES and MCHES to market themselves as nationally certified. Also, presenters will provide talking points to utilize when advocating for certification and the health education profession.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Administration, management, leadership
Advocacy for health and health education
Communication and informatics
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Describe the need and challenges to advocating for health education certification. List ways CHES and MCHES can market the certification to employers and legislatures. Discuss talking points to use for advocating for health education certification.

Keyword(s): Certification, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered