• To enhance and promote the quality of genetic services in the Southeastern Region which includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

• To provide a forum for exchange of information among professionals who provide genetic services and the consumers of these services in the southeastern region of the United States.

• To receive and administer funds for coordinating genetic services and for furthering education about the delivery of genetic services.

• To interact with other regional and national genetic organizations, including the Council of Regional Networks (CORN).

• To arrange and promote proficiency testing and quality control in genetic services.

The Southeastern Regional Genetics Group (SERGG) is a network of providers of clinical genetic services, public health departments, consumers, and related laboratory services, working together with affected individuals and their families.

The SERGG office:

• collects and disseminates information about genetic services, newborn screening programs, and other public health services related to genetics in the region.

• implements quality assurance for genetic services.

• keeps members informed about upcoming meetings, workshop activities, and new resources available through the region.

• organizes an annual meeting at which workshop members meet, provide educational sessions, and make oral presentations.

• provides opportunities for communication with other networks through active membership in the Council of Regional Networks of Genetic Services (CORN).

• supports research to promote better genetic services.

The Southeastern Regional Genetics Group functions through sixteen workshops. Each workshop is comprised of genetic service providers, public health representatives, and consumers. The following are brief summaries of the workshops:

• Biochemical Genetics
  Assures quality control of biochemical genetic laboratories in the region.

• Clinical Genetics
  Evaluates the needs of clinical geneticists and their continuing education.

• Consumers of Genetic Services
  Involves consumers in all SERGG Workshops. Reviews and edits parent educational materials.

• Cytogenetics
  Assures quality standards and practices of clinical cytogenetic laboratories in the region.
  Provides a cytogenetic database of chromosomal abnormalities.

• Data Collection
  Collects state data for the region for submission to CORN.

• Education
  Conducts an annual workshop for medical students. Supports education of nurses, primary care providers, and other health support professionals.

• Ethical and Legal Issues
  Functions as a platform for discussion of current ethical and legal issues of interest to those in the field of genetics.

• Financing of Medical Genetics
  Explores methods to increase reimbursement for genetic services in the region.

• Genetic Counseling
  Provides educational materials for patients and parents. Discusses the needs of Genetic Counselors.

• Molecular Genetics
  Offers educational workshops and disseminates information on developing DNA methodologies. Maintains a regional database of chromosomal variants.

• Newborn and Population Screening
  Provides a forum for discussing screening of newborns and other at-risk populations. Addresses ethical and legal issues related to screening.

• Newsletter
  Produces and distributes the SERGG Newsletter.

• Nutritional Management
  Develops standards of nutritional care for patient management, follow-up and evaluation.

• Public Health Management
  Provides a forum for public health professional to enhance awareness of genetic resources.

• Registry of Resources
  Maintains a registry of genetic resources in the region which is used to monitor progress and evaluate future needs.

• Sickle Cell Anemia
  Provides a forum for discussing issues related to Sickle Cell Disease and the education of individuals involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with Sickle Cell Disease.