Tennessee Folic Acid Council
Good Health Looks Good- Folic Acid Every Day!
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Council Projects

 
 
Since 1999, the Tennessee Folic Acid Council has been involved in a variety of folic activities, targeting both health care professionals as well as the general public.  Most recently, the Tennessee Folic Acid Council implemented a multi-year initiative with Girl Scouts in various areas of the state.  Work continues to promote folic acid with all Tennessee Folic Acid Members promoting folic acid in their own unique ways as part of their day-to-day work in their jobs.  Below are a few examples of some of the professional and community education activities sponsored by the Tennessee Folic Acid Council.  

Professional Education

One of the major areas of focus for the Tennessee Folic Acid Council is professional education.   In recent years, the Tennessee Folic Acid Council has developed resources for healthcare providers (CME, CPE, or CEU credits) as well as for educators.  
 
For healthcare providers, 'Reconsidering Multivitamin Supplementation: Meeting the Needs of Our Female Patients Throughout the Age Continuum' was adapted from the North Carolina Folic Acid Council’s document of the same title and edited to include up-to-date information on Tennessee’s Birth Defects Registry was developed. Supplemental materials were also provided. CME credit was offered through Vanderbilt University’s Division of Continuing Medical Education; CPE credit for Registered Dietitians was through the Tennessee Extension Service.  This educational offering expired in 2005.

 

For educators, a lesson plan - FOLIC ACID: A Vitamin That Could Change A Life Forever - was developed. The lesson plan was designed to be used in the classroom for educators of high school students, and explained the importance of folic acid and its role in birth defects prevention.

 
Current resources for healthcare professionals and educators are available through other organizations and partners which are listed on the LINKS page of this website.

 

 

 

 

Community Education
 
Another major area of focus for the Tennessee Folic Acid Council is community education.  
 
 
Tennessee Folic Acid Council takes folic acid into the 21st Century with "Did u Know folic acid is g%d for u and ur future baby"
 
The Folic Acid Council was awarded a grant to educate college women at Middle Tennessee State University on the importance of folic acid and healthy lifestyles through the "Did u Know folic acid is g%d for u and ur future baby", an innovative approach to health education using online and text messaging methodologies.
 
More details on this exciting project can be viewed here.
 
 
March of Dimes, Tennessee Chapter and the State Folic Acid Council Implement Folic Acid Activities with Girl Scouts!

The Tennessee Chapter of the March of Dimes and the State Folic Acid Council developed the first pilot project to promote folic acid with Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of the Tanasi Council in East Tennessee served as the first group ever to receive training. Targeting girls ages 11-14, efforts were initiated in 2001 to offer a folic acid badge or patch (requirements are below, along with a graphic of the badge).

Training for troop leaders, camp staff, and other volunteers began in 2002. Over 1400 girls earned the folic badge or patch during the 2003 and 2004 years. A presentation on folic acid is part of the training and can be accessed at www.state.tn.us/health/MCH/FolicAcid/lessonplan.htm. Descriptions of program offerings and Folic Acid Badge/Patch requirements can be viewed below. It is hoped that Girl Scout leaders and troops in other areas will be interested in the training and that activities will take place throughout other areas of the state.

Other activities have also taken place with the Girl Scouts of Cumberland Valley Council. “Mall Madness” was the premiere event for promoting folic acid in Girl Scouts in the Cumberland Valley region. Other opportunities include the “Leader Extravaganza” and “Girl Scout College” to promote workshop activities with Cadette and Senior Leaders, as well as other events especially selected by the local Girl Scout staff. Fliers and materials were produced especially for this group by nutrition professionals at the Tennessee Department of Health. Multiple badge/patch workshops have taken place statewide.


Folic acid activities for earning Girl Scout badges/patches:

 
 
 
 
Must complete 6 of the 10 activities at a minimum:
  • Develop and complete a food diary, making notes of foods with folic acid/folate along with multivitamins/supplements taken.
  • Research the diet of an ethnic population, of a region of the world, a region of the United States and explain whether or not they may or may not be getting enough folic acid through food and/or multivitamins and make suggestions.
  • Write a script for a commercial, emphasizing food(s) high in folic acid/folate and the importance of taking a multivitamin containing folic acid.
  • Write a rap or cheer about the function of folic acid/folate, vitamin supplements, and foods high in folate and perform it for your troop.
  • Do a web search on folic acid and write a summary of your findings, citing references
  • Create a newsletter focusing on healthy eating and taking multivitamins with folic acid ; distribute at a public place.
  • Draw a cartoon that teaches younger children about folic acid, foods, and multivitamin supplements and do a brief presentation on folic acid for a class of younger children.
  • Create a recipe book of recipes high in folic acid; have friends, family members, etc. submit recipes.
  • Plan a school-wide campaign to promote folic acid.
  • Do an interview with your school’s nutrition staff on how they select healthy menus and make a list of foods served high in folic acid/folate. Share this information with your class.


What are some of the resources for folic acid activities available?

"Folic What??? Good Health Looks Good - Folic Acid Every Day"

A Leader's Kit for Folic Acid Badge/Patch workshop and other folic acid activites

This kit prepares leaders to conduct a "Folic Acid" badge or patch workshop for their troops or to facilitate other fun activities to earn the folic acid patch. Girl Scouts earn a Folic Acid badge/patch during an activity filled session where they might listen to or perform a folic acid rap song, experiment with new recipes, or create a special “food diary” all while learning about good nutrition and folic acid. Girls are asked if they know why a good diet high in folic acid and vitamin supplements are important to health and well-being, and they can find out in this fun workshop outlined in the leader kit! The kit includes information on general nutrition and folic acid, why folic acid is important to get as part of a balanced diet and through a multi-vitamin, and how to ensure that one is getting enough folic acid. Leaders also learn how to implement other fun activities required for the “Folic Acid” badge/patch. Volunteer assistance and support for leaders and their troops in implementing the training and workshops are offered and based on availability of volunteers. Special incentives and give-aways for the programs are available while supplies last.