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

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.