February 24, 2022

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February 24, 2022

COVID-19 Resources

New CDC Report Finds COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Provides Protection for Babies

On February 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new report that found COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy was associated with a substantially reduced risk of COVID-19 hospitalization in babies younger than 6 months old. While previous studies had established that maternal vaccination is effective in preventing severe COVID-19 in pregnant people, this report provides the first epidemiologic evidence for the protective benefits of maternal immunization during pregnancy against COVID-19 in infants.

Using data from 20 children’s hospitals across 17 states from July 2021 through mid-January 2022, the report’s authors looked at vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization with COVID-19 in babies whose mothers completed a two-dose COVID-19 vaccination series during pregnancy. The report found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk of infant hospitalization with COVID-19 by 61%, suggesting that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy might also help protect babies.

Infants are at risk for life-threatening complications from COVID-19, including acute respiratory failure. The majority (84%) of babies hospitalized because of COVID-19 were born to individuals who were not vaccinated during pregnancy. CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for persons who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future to protect them from COVID-19.

New CDC Report on Health and Well-being of Children During COVID-19 Pandemic

On February 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released two new reports in MMRW that provide important insight on the health and well-being of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first report looked at pediatric emergency department visits. The study found that overall pediatric emergency department visits decreased in 2020, 2021, and in January 2022 compared with visits in 2019, while COVID-19-related emergency department visits increased across all pandemic years and among pediatric age groups. There were also increases in the weekly number and proportion of emergency department visits for certain types of injuries, some chronic diseases, and visits related to behavioral health concerns, especially among older children (5–11 years) and adolescents (12–17 years).

The second report examined changes in pediatric emergency department visits for mental health conditions and found that adolescent girls (12–17 years) accounted for the largest increases in the number and proportion of emergency department visits for mental health conditions in 2020, 2021, and in January 2022 compared with 2019. Weekly visits for eating and tic disorders increased for females, and particularly adolescent females (12–17 years), during 2020, 2021, and in January 2022.

Use this link to read CDC’s full Media Statement.

New CDC Studies: COVID-19 Boosters Remain Safe, Continue to Offer High Levels of Protection Against Severe Disease Over Time and During Omicron and Delta Waves

Data from two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports show COVID-19 vaccine boosters remain safe and continue to be highly effective against severe disease over time.

In the first study, CDC reviewed data from two of its vaccine safety monitoring systems, v-safe and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). They found that people 18 years and older who received the same mRNA vaccine brand for all their vaccinations experienced fewer adverse reactions following the booster dose, than they did after their second dose of mRNA vaccine.

A second study reveals that a third dose of mRNA vaccine continues to offer high levels of protection against severe disease, even months after administration, underscoring the importance of staying up to date when eligible after receiving a primary series.

Use this link to read CDC’s full Media Statement.

CDC COVID-19 Resources and Webpages

AMCHP COVID-19 Resources and Vaccination Pages

AMCHP is committed to working alongside our federal agency and organizational partners to gather available information, resources, and guidance specific to our MCH population during the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources are on our website for your convenience and are updated regularly as untapped resources become available. Find out more about vaccinating MCH populations to stay up to date on well care during the pandemic here.

AMCHP Announcements

Never miss AMCHP’s updates! Check out our new website, and follow us on Twitter (@DC_AMCHP), LinkedIn (Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs), Facebook (AMCHP), and Instagram (@DC_AMCHP).

AMCHP Invites our Members to a Virtual Coffee with Our CEO, Terrance E. Moore

Members of AMCHP, please join our CEO, Terrance E. Moore, MA, for a casual and virtual conversation over coffee to learn more about him and his vision and discuss the challenges you are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic and how AMCHP can continue supporting you.

We would love for you to join one of the three sessions below. All sessions will be held at 2:30 PM EST on Zoom and 45 minutes long.

Session I – March 1, at 2:30 (Register)
Session II – March 22, at 2:30 (Register)
Session III – April 13, at 2:30 (Register)

Session registration is capped at thirty, so register today!

Follow AMCHP’s CEO on Twitter at @AMCHP_CEO. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at info@amchp.org.

New MCH Bridges Podcast Episode Ft. the InTune Mother Society in Honor of Black History Month

Our new podcast episode is out! Click here to listen to Episode 3 Part I: Redesigning Birth Work for the Future with the InTune Mother Society (TIMS).

AMCHP and the InTune Mother Society (TIMS) are excited to share a two-part podcast episode with guest speakers RaShaunda Lugrand, Founder/Director of TIMS, and Joelisha Fairbanks, a former TIMS client currently pursuing her certification as a Perinatal Wellness Coach.

Episode 3 Part I discusses birth justice and how the InTune Mother Society is working to transform the birthing experience. Our guest speakers share their stories and experiences connecting families with holistic approaches to wellness and eliminating barriers to accessible perinatal health care and apply a lens of birth, environmental, and healing justice to their programming. Part 2 of this episode will be released on February 28, 2022.

Share with your peers and listen to this and other episodes on www.mchbridges.org, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Overcast.

Why tune in to MCH Bridges?

MCH Bridges is designed to help our listeners create new connections to MCH leaders, organizations, and ideas. We aim to inspire and guide listeners towards actions that will improve the systems that impact MCH populations.

Who should listen to MCH Bridges?

MCH Bridges is designed for Title V MCH & CYSHCN leaders, state and jurisdictional health department staff, individuals with lived experience and their families, MCH faculty and students, public health professionals, and others wanting to learn more about supporting MCH populations and equitable systems of care.

We’d like to hear from you! Complete this short survey to share input and let us know who or what you’d like to hear about on future episodes. If you have any questions or suggestions about the podcast, please contact Maura Leahy (mleahy@amchp.org).

AMCHP Launches Essential Reading for Black History Month and Beyond: The 2022 Edition

February is Black History Month, and to honor this observance, AMCHP has launched a yearlong compilation of books that have inspired our team to reflect on Black history, racial justice, and health equity. We are delighted to share our first edition with the maternal and child health (MCH) community – Check it out!

AMCHP Invites You to ‘Share Your Why’ for our 2022 Annual Conference

AMCHP invites you to help us paint a picture of the modern maternal and child health (MCH) workforce during our 2022 Annual Conference held May 24-26, 2022, in an all-virtual format. We would love to share your perspective on:

Why do you do the work you do in MCH?
What brought you to MCH?
What motivates you?
Why do things need to change to create more equitable opportunities for MCH populations?
Where do your efforts and experiences fit into that change?

Share a short testimonial (video, audio, or written format) by March 7, at 11:59 p.m. EST, using the following link: https://bit.ly/AMCHPSharingYourWhy. AMCHP will share these creatively throughout the 2022 Annual Conference, including during a plenary session where “why” is front and center and through our digital platforms.

For more information, please check out our “Sharing Your Why” flyer or send your questions to Maura Leahy at mleahy@amchp.org.

Check out AMCHP’s recent announcements!

AMCHP Annual Conference

The Latest on the AMCHP 2022 Annual Conference

The AMCHP 2022 Annual Conference Full Schedule is Out

AMCHP is excited to announce that the full schedule for the AMCHP 2022 Annual Conference is now live! It includes live and on-demand sessions, which will remain available for our conference participants for up to one year after the conference.

Join maternal and child (MCH) leaders and thinkers at AMCHP 2022! Register now for our fully-virtual conference, held May 5-8, to take advantage of our Early Bird Rates.

The AMCHP Annual Conference is one of the country’s largest gatherings of MCH professionals. In 2021, more than 1,300 people attended the conference virtually from nearly every state/territory/jurisdiction in the United States, including directors of states programs, federal officials, advocates, family leaders, researchers, and health care providers.

Considering the 2022 conference theme, “Reflecting on our Past, Shaping our Future,” AMCHP looks forward to identifying practices and policies designed to address the key challenges that MCH programs and families face and strengthening the partnership between local and state MCH programs and families. At the end of the conference, it’s AMCHP’s goal that you: acquire new skills to enhance MCH’s workforce, can implement strategies to improve health equity and inclusion, know the latest research on MCH, and have more awareness about the importance of interpersonal collaboration in the MCH field.

Quick Links

AMCHP Events & Webinars

Unwinding the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Implications for Medicaid Coverage for MCH Populations

Medicaid enrollment has grown significantly since the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency in March 2020. A significant contributor to this nationwide increase has been the “continuous coverage” requirement, which prohibits states from disenrolling individuals from Medicaid during the public health emergency, as a condition for enhanced federal Medicaid funding. With the unwinding of the public health emergency, state Medicaid agencies will need to redetermine the eligibility of over 80 million Medicaid enrollees, potentially triggering a Medicaid coverage crisis for vulnerable populations.

Join the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF), on March 2, at 12:00 PM EST, for a panel discussion on the expiration of the COVID-19 Medicaid continuous eligibility provision, and opportunities for state advocates to protect Medicaid coverage gains for maternal and child health (MCH) populations. Register using this link.

Virtual Town Hall on Vaccinations Among Young People-Led by Young People

The Adolescent & Young Adult Health National Resource Center invites you to join a virtual Town Hall on the topic of vaccinations among the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. The event will be facilitated by several AMCHP’s Youth Voice Amplified committee members. The primary audience will be youth/young adults up to age 26, and the secondary audience is public health practitioners working closely with or on behalf of the AYA population. The event will occur on Thursday, March 3, at 4 PM EST. Register using this link.

AMCHP Information & Resources

New Tools for MMRCs: Identifying and Discussing Racism

The Maternal Mortality Review Information Application (MMRIA) Racism & Discrimination Work Group recently published a paper detailing their process of developing a working definition of racism for use with Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRC). The diverse multidisciplinary committee of experts underwent a five-step process, culminating in the development of three working definitions (for Structural racism, interpersonal racism, and discrimination) and recommendations to support MMRC members in identifying and discussing racism with the review process and their development of preventative interventions. More information about the article can be found here.

AMCHP Innovation Hub

Be a Part of AMCHP’s Replication Projects!

Do you have a priority or strategy in your State Action Plan that you aren’t sure how to operationalize? Are you interested in building partnerships with MCH organizations while enhancing your organizational capacity? Consider participating in AMCHP’s Replication Projects for the 2022-2023 project year!

Every year, AMCHP offers awards for organizations and agencies to replicate evidence-based/-informed practices from the MCH Innovations Database. AMCHP’s Replication Projects are also an excellent opportunity to:

Receive tailored technical assistance and support to build your state’s or organization’s capacity to implement an Innovation Hub practice;
Start adapting a practice to your local context; and
Strengthen and develop partnerships with relevant organizations to address priority needs.

Format and structure

This project provides two technical assistance tracks depending on your organization’s level of readiness to replicate a practice. The Capacity Building Track focuses on capacity building and developing the infrastructure necessary to implement a chosen practice. The Implementation Track provides support to begin the actual implementation of a practice. Both tracks operate as cohorts, with participants receiving TA in the form of quarterly webinars which focus on specific tools and pieces of training aligned with the Implementation Stages Framework.

Want to learn more about this opportunity?

Visit our Innovation Hub page and watch an overview of the Replication Projects. Next, review the Replication Project Readiness Statements to apply.

Ready to apply? Click to sign up for an initial conversation with AMCHP. Please email us at evidence@amchp.org for any questions.

AMCHP Mental Health Corner

Mental health is an important component of well-being for women and children. To recognize its importance, we will use this space to highlight resources for maternal, child, and adolescent health (MCAH) professionals to support their mental health, as well as the mental health of those they serve. Read more about AMCHP’s organizational work on mental health and substance use here.

In February, AMCHP will be sharing resources to support Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and Black History Month. Mental Health America has compiled resources highlighting contributions to the mental health movement from Black and African American individuals, as well as resources to learn about the history of systemic racism in the mental health system. Be sure to follow AMCHP on Twitter (@dc_amchp) for original and valuable partner content that demonstrates mental and emotional health and well-being as integral to overall health.

Interested in receiving more information on what’s happening related to mental health/substance use and MCH? Sign-up for the PRISM Digest, our monthly mental health/substance use newsletter, by sending an email to jcohen@amchp.org and check out the #AMCHPMentalHealth hashtag on Twitter. Have questions or want to learn more? Contact the mental health team at mentalhealth@amchp.org.

New post alert! #ScreenToInterveneForAYAs Blog Features Young Adults Behind TeenLinkHawaii – A Comprehensive Online Health and Wellness Resource for Teens & Young Adults

Our latest blog post features a discussion with Miranda Eddins and Mari Nishiguschi, two of the young adults who have led the creation and ongoing maintenance of TeenLink Hawaii. During the discussion, Miranda and Mari shared more about the vision behind the online resource, how it has impacted young people in Hawaii, and advice for other State Health Departments looking to create something similar. Read the post using this link.

The White House Hosts a Virtual Roundtable on Black Mental Health and Wellness

On February 10th, 2022, as a part of Black History Month, the White House hosted a virtual roundtable on Black mental health and wellness. White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice moderated a discussion with Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, from the Department of Health and Human Services; Golden Globe Award-winning actress and singer, Taraji P. Henson; professional tennis player and 2017 U.S. Open Champion Sloane Stephens; and WNBA MVP and Players’ Association President, Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks. Participants spoke about their own mental health challenges, the importance of seeking support and self-care, and their work to end stigma. The conversation also highlighted efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to prioritize mental health and diversify our nation’s behavioral health workforce. Watch a recording of the roundtable here.

AMCHP National Policy Calls

AMCHP National MCH COVID-19 Townhall Series

Thanks to those of you who joined us on the January 6 webinar. The link to the recording is available here. The next call in this series is March 10, 2022, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET. Please use this link to register. For follow-up materials and resources from previous calls, please be sure to check out AMCHP’s COVID-19 page.

Legislation & Policy

Explore our Maternal Health Bill Tracker for More Information About Pending Federal Legislation to Improve Maternal Health

Congress Passes Short-Term Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown

On February 17, Congress passed legislation to extend funding for the federal government through March 11, 2022. The short-term funding bill – known as a continuing resolution – continues federal funding at fiscal year 2021 (FY21) levels and gives Congress more time to negotiate and pass the fiscal year 2022 (FY22) funding legislation.

In recent days, bipartisan negotiations on final FY22 funding legislation began in earnest. Appropriations leaders from both parties have signaled optimism that Congress will be able to pass an “omnibus” funding bill by the Mar. 11 deadline when the current continuing resolution expires.

During this final stretch of negotiations on FY22 funding bills, AMCHP continues to press for robust funding increases to maternal and child health programs, including $868.7 million for the Title V Maternal & Child Health Block Grant.

While Congress is wrapping up FY22, Members of Congress, the Biden Administration, and advocates are preparing for FY23, which begins Oct. 1. President Biden is expected to send his administration’s FY23 budget request to Congress after the State of the Union address scheduled for Mar. 1.

For FY23, AMCHP will be advocating for $1 billion for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, including a robust increase to the state formula fund. To learn more about AMCHP’s legislative priorities, see our AMCHP 2022 Federal Policy Agenda.

Opportunities & Funding

AMCHP is Accepting Applications for Digital Communications Intern

AMCHP is looking for a Digital Communications Intern. The Digital Communications Intern will be an integral part of the Communications team and mainly work with our website and social media accounts. This paid position is entirely remote, with a duration of 2-3 months, with the option to continue if mutually agreed upon. Learn more about this opportunity using this link. For questions, please get in touch with us at careers@amchp.org.

AMCHP is Accepting Applications for Health and Racial Equity Consultant

AMCHP is seeking one qualified consultant and subject matter expert on health and racial equity to support our emergency preparedness and response (EPR) capacity-building initiatives for the MCH workforce.

The contracted consultant will audit the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEP) Checklist for Maternal and Infant Health and provide recommendations for changes and additions that are poised to guide more equitable practices and, ultimately, population-level outcomes. The resulting product will further inform an accredited e-learning course for relevant professionals and other project deliverables. The consultant will work closely with the Program Manager, Emergency Preparedness and Response, and other key staff.

To apply for this consultant opportunity, please see the Request for Application and submit all requested items to Nia Sutton (nsutton@amchp.org) by February 28, 2022, by 11:59 PM EST.

AMCHP is Accepting Applications for the Summer 2022 Graduate Student Epidemiology Program

AMCHP is now accepting applications for the Summer 2022 Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP). Applications for student interns are being accepted until Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST, and applications for host sites are being accepted, vetted, and approved on a rolling basis through Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 11:59 PM EST.

This maternal and child health (MCH) leadership program is funded by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) and administered by AMCHP. This program:

Provides paid, 10-week, 100% remote graduate student summer internships to develop leaders in MCH epidemiology
Does not require host sites to incur associated costs; AMCHP covers all intern stipends and site visit expenses
Offers AMCHP’s assistance with intern recruitment and supports host sites throughout the summer.
Allow interns to focus their efforts on agency/organization priorities
Allow staff to gain meaningful mentorship experience.

Additional details about host site applications are offered through an informational webinar recording and on our website. For questions, please contact Maura Leahy at mleahy@amchp.org. Apply to become a host site at https://tinyurl.com/GSEPHostApply.

AMCHP Career Center: Connecting Talent with Opportunity

The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) lists the top jobs available in our industry. Search and apply to open positions or post jobs on AMCHP Career Center! Search for Jobs | Post a Job.

Partner Events and Webinars

Youth Risk Webinar by Possibilities for Change

Join Possibilities for Change for a 30-minute webinar to learn how RAAPS technology-based risk screening paired with MITEY Change (Motivational Interviewing Training for Empowering Youth towards Change) can help you:

Quickly identify and understand youth risk
Communicate more effectively with Gen Z
Guide youth toward healthy decision making

This webinar will be held on March 3, at 4 PM EST. Register using this link.

The PATCH Symposium is Now Open

Save the Date! Wisconsin Patch is hosting a one-day Symposium on April 20, from 8:00 a.m. – 4: 0.m. EST, at the Sheraton Madison Hotel. This event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity in which health care professionals and young people, ages 12-21, from across Wisconsin will join to learn, share, and grow as adolescent health champions and advocates. This Symposium is designed to provide professional development opportunities to a variety of health care professionals while prioritizing youth voice. Register early to secure your sport using this link.

Learn about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities at the PATCH Symposium.

Commemorations