Tim J. Arndt, Sr. State Dir. of Comm. and Mktg.
March of Dimes Indiana Chapter
317-262-4668 and tarndt@marchofdimes.com
Terre Haute Volunteers take part in March of Dimes Day at the Capitol January 31st in Indianapolis. Volunteers met with lawmakers to back legislation regarding treatment resources for pregnant substance users and for continued funding of Indiana’s birth defects surveillance system.
(Indianapolis, IN, March 1, 2006) March of Dimes Indiana Chapter Public Affairs Committee volunteers including Frank Klopfstein and Mike Staggs took part in the annual March of Dimes Day at the Capitol in Indianapolis on Tuesday, January 31st.
Frank Klopfstein and Mike Staggs met with legislators to help advance March of Dimes 2006 public policy issues, including:
· Generating support for legislation by Representative Jeff Thompson of Danville, IN to conduct a statewide needs assessment and plan for addressing substance abuse during pregnancy which will help prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
· Securing a commitment from the Indiana legislature and the Indiana State Department of Health to maintain funding for the state’s birth defects surveillance system which is in jeopardy.
The event included lunch with select senators and representatives followed by presentations by Representative Thompson, Dr. James Nocon, Wishard Memorial Hospital, an OB/GYN who treats pregnant substance users and Kirstin Schwandt, MS, CGC, Genomics Program Director for the Indiana State Department of Health. Following the luncheon volunteers went to the Capitol Building to meet with the local legislators.
The March of Dimes is the voluntary health organization whose mission is to save babies’ lives by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality and in 2003 launched its Prematurity Campaign. The March of Dimes funds programs of scientific research, community programs, education, and advocacy that save babies’ lives. Visit www.marchofdimes.com/Indiana for more information.
