Annual Meeting Committee
This committee is responsible for planning and organizing the NBDPN Annual Meeting. The committee determines the agenda, speakers, roundtable topics, breakout sessions and other activities during the workshop. Close This Window

State Data Committee
It is the responsibility of the State Data Committee to collect and compile state-specific data and for describing state-level programs. This information will be given annually to the Publications and Communications Committee for dissemination. In addition, the committee will promote uniform birth defects data collection, assist in the coordination of state data sharing, and collaborate with the other interested parties to develop research reports consistent with the mission of the NBPDN. Close This Window

Education and Outreach Committee
The purpose of this committee is to establish guidelines that states may utilize to their individual ability to assist families and their children with birth defects. Specifically, families may need assistance with educational material describing the birth defect, finding out the services available in their state, parent support groups, appropriate medical teams specific to their child’s needs, genetic counseling, etc. Educational materials from participating states will be pooled and evaluated by the committee to determine what may be included and topics that require editing or written in total. Additionally, the National Office of the March of Dimes will work collaboratively with the Network in this endeavor. The education of health care providers regarding the etiologies of birth defects is an area in which many states are actively involved. Close This Window

Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Committee
The purpose of this committee is to recommend minimum standard policy guidelines for NBDPN members to use when establishing birth defect public health surveillance, research, and prevention activities. Close This Window

Membership and Elections Committee
This committee will establish the guidelines, policies, and procedures concerning membership in the NBDPN and its committees. This committee will also be responsible for developing the bylaws of the NBDPN, and will oversee the election of officers. Close This Window

Publications and Communications Committee
The purpose of this Committee is to improve dissemination of information from the NBDPN to the network members and other individuals (e.g., advocates, MCH/CSHCN directors). This is done through the publication of the NBDPN Annual Report, a periodic newsletter, and the web site. Close This Window

Neural Tube Defect Surveillance/Folic Acid Education Committee
This committee will focus on activities in the areas of folic acid education and use of birth defects surveillance data to monitor and evaluate neural tube defects prevention programs. Initial tasks will include assembling information on current state and local activities, reviewing statistical surveillance strategies for monitoring neural tube defects, and providing Information and guidance to those involved in this work around the country. The committee will also work toward compilation of timely data on total prevalence of neural tube defects (including live births, stillbirths, and prenatally diagnosed cases) from all states to participate, and provide guidance to surveillance programs needing assistance in order to participate. Close This Window

Surveillance Guidelines and Standards Committee
The committee was established to develop and promote the use of a uniform set of recommended guidelines and standards for the collection, analysis, and reporting of birth defect surveillance data. These standards are intended to serve as a resource for birth defect surveillance programs to improve the operations and usefulness of their system for birth defects monitoring and prevention. Close This Window