The Fragile Infant Feeding Institute is a 4½ day intensive study of feeding and nutrition for infants with special needs. It will be held in the relaxing setting of Colorado in a comfortable hotel, encouraging close interaction between the faculty and participants. The faculty represents both clinical and research perspectives, providing an evidence-based offering with a focus on practical application. Particular emphasis is placed on the neurodevelopmental aspects of infant feeding, supporting the infant-parent relationship, and the development of systems to support best practice.

This course expands the knowledge base of professionals supporting infants with feeding and nutrition challenges. The development of feeding skills and the impact of early nutrition and feeding experiences is discussed in the context of developmentally supportive and family centered care. Based on concepts adapted from the Synactive theory, the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care & Assessment Program (NIDCAP) and the Family Infant Relationship Support Training (FIRST) program, the Institute provides a sound foundation for observation and assessment of developing feeding skills. Supportive interventions for infants while in the hospital, as well as during the transition to home are addressed. The Institute places a special emphasis on feeding and nutritional issues through the transition to supplementary (baby) foods. The nutritional needs of premature infants and those with special medical needs, as well as the interaction between feeding skills and nutritional needs are discussed. Presenters represent the disciplines of nursing, nutrition, therapy, parenting, and psychology. Each day successively builds on the knowledge and information from the previous day. An interactive process with the faculty results in the participant applying the information during presentations during the four and a half day Institute.

This program is designed for to meet the educational needs of NICU nurses, therapists (OT, PT), speech-language pathologists, parents/family members, physicians, social workers, nutritionists/dieticians, early interventionists, policy makers/administrators, and community/public health nurses.

As a result of participation in this activity, participants should be able to: 

• Describe neurodevelopmental issues that impact appropriate nutrition and feeding for infants with special needs
• Utilize assessment and intervention techniques to support optimal growth of infants with special needs
• Identify nutritional requirements for at-risk infants in the NICU and after hospital discharge
• Demonstrate both individual and collaborative expertise with other professionals and families in support of better growth for infants
• List three new professional and / or parent contacts that have the potential to collaborate on current or future projects, or to assist with problem-solving

Physicians:   USF Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. USF Health designates this educational activity for a maximum of 29 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses:   The University of South Florida College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity is for 29 contact hours.

Psychologists:   The University of South Florida College of Medicine is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The University of South Florida College of Medicine maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This activity is for 29 contact hours.

Speech Pathologists:The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Florida is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech language pathology and audiology. This program is pending approval of contact hours.

Registered Dieticians:   USF Health, CO001 is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) from 2/22/10 to 2/21/13. Registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) will receive up to 29 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/material. Continuing Professional Education Provider Accreditation does not constitute endorsement by CDR of a provider, program or materials.

Florida Licensed Physical Therapists:   The University of South Florida College of Medicine is an approved provider of Continuing Education for Physical Therapists pursuant to the Board of Physical Therapy chapter 64b17-9.  The University of South Florida College of Medicine designates this educational activity for up to 35 contact hours.

Florida Licensed Occupational Therapists:   The University of South Florida College of Public Health is an approved provider (#107, exp. 2/28/11) of continuing education for Occupational Therapy Licensees.  This program has been reviewed and approved for up to 35, 50 minute contact hours. License number is required prior to the issuance of certificates.

Joy Browne, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry
Director, Center for Family and Infant Interaction
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Director, Interdisciplinary Training
JFK Partners
Denver, CO

Erin Ross, PhD, CCC-SLP
Education Coordinator
Assistant Professor
Center for Family & Infant Interaction
University of Colorado
Honorary Research Fellow
University of Queensland, Australia
Speech and Language Pathologist
Research Consultant
Thornton, CO

Kay Toomey, PhD
President
Toomey & Associates
Clinical Psychologist
Feeding Specialist
Denver, CO

Lisbeth Gabrielski, MS, RN, IBCLC
Lactation Clinical Manager
Lactation Support Service
The Children’s Hospital of Denver
St. Anthony’s Central Hospital
Denver, CO

Debra Paul, OTR
Occupational Therapy Program Manager
The Children’s Hospital
Aurora, CO

Joan C. Zerzan, MS, RD, CD
Associate Faculty
Manager, Clinical Nutrition Training
University of Washington
Seattle, WA

USF Health adheres to the ACCME Standards regarding commercial support of continuing medical education. It is the policy of USF Health that the faculty and planning committee disclose real or apparent conflicts of interest relating to the topics of this educational activity, that relevant conflicts of interest are resolved, and also that speakers will disclose any unlabeled/unapproved use of drugs or devices during their presentation. Detailed disclosure will be made in the course syllabus.

Registration includes: Attendance at the institute, continuing education credit, exhibits (if applicable), welcome reception, continental breakfast Thursday – Sunday, daily refreshment breaks, and the course content & expert speakers.

Early bird registration is $750. The deadline for the Early Registration Discount is July 31, 2010. Regular registration is $795. no partial-day registrations are allowed.

To qualify for the $15 per person Group Discount* for groups of 3 or more, registrants must represent the same institution, company or organization. Registrations for all group members must be received in the same envelope or registered online on the same day. Indicate the group discount on each registration form when calculating the total payment due. Requests for discounts after receipt of registration will not be entertained. If cancellations affect groups, the discounted amount will be reassessed. A direct substitution, however, does qualify the same discount as the original registrant.

Events, activities and facilities of the University of South Florida are available without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or Vietnam veteran status as provided by law and in accordance with the University's respect for personal dignity.

Please notify the CPD Office, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 46, Tampa, FL 33612 or call 813-974-4296 at least 10 business days prior to the program if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed.