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June 16, 2022

COVID-19 Resources

Recent CDC News 

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 our updates! Sign up for our newsletters here, and follow us on Twitter (@DC_AMCHP), LinkedIn (Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs), Facebook (AMCHPofficial), and Instagram (@DC_AMCHP).

Blog Post: To Improve Maternal Health, We Must Depoliticize Racial Equity

Earlier this spring, Black Maternal Health Week challenged systems of maternal care to improve racial disparities. Led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, it highlighted jarring, persistent inequities and meaningful conversations about the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes for Black women and birthing people. The Biden Administration made additional commitments, among them establishing “Birthing-Friendly” hospital designations, strengthening Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs, and supporting state-level development of proven strategies to address disparities. And last month, many of our families celebrated Mother’s Day, a time where we show appreciation and cherish caregivers who dedicated themselves to helping us grow. May was also Maternal Mental Health Month, which highlighted the need to prioritize maternal mental health, particularly in the post-partum period.

Despite all of that, Black women and birthing people die at three times the rate of white women and birthing people in this country. This happens because bias persists in healthcare systems, stemming from enduring, interlocking systemic racism, sexism, and ethnic and racial stereotypes that exist and are well-documented… [Continue reading]

The 2021 AMCHP Member Assessment is Now Available!

The 2021 AMCHP Member Assessment is now available!

Every year, we administer a member assessment to learn more about you, our valued members. We gather your input on our services and products and how we can improve the benefits you receive through our membership. This assessment also offers crucial insights that our team uses during our strategic planning process.

In 2021, we learned from members of AMCHP about their overall membership experience and three top system-level priorities: workforce retention, equity, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the results at this link!

Finally, as we continue to expand and improve efforts to serve the maternal and child health community, we always strive to put our members’ voices first. We look forward to hearing from you this year!

To download the full 2021 AMCHP Member Assessment, please visit this link.

AMCHP Announces 2022 Board of Directors Elections Results

AMCHP is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors recently elected a new slate of officers and welcomed two new members. Elected in May, these Board members began serving on May 18, 2022, with the results announced at the AMCHP Annual Business Meeting held the same day.

Re-elections, transitions, and new appointments to the Board include Lisa A. Asare (President-Elect), Rachel Hutson (Secretary), Marcus Johnson-Miller (Treasurer), Dr. Tobi Adeyeye Amosun (Director-at-Large), Deborah Garneau (Region I Director), Dr. Janis Gonzales (Region IV Director), and Vickie Ives (Region IX Director).

Read the full press release at this link.

New Pulse Newsletter Issue: MCH Workforce Mental Health and Burnout

The latest issue of our Pulse newsletter is live on our website!

This issue of Pulse, titled “MCH Workforce Mental Health and Burnout,” was launched in conjunction with Mental Health Month, observed in May, and offered perspectives from the field and strategies to support workforce wellness and resilience.

Articles:

Do you want to receive our Pulse newsletter directly to your inbox? Subscribe to our email list at this link!

New Dates Available! Join AMCHP CEO Terrance E. Moore for a Virtual Conversation over Coffee

Members of AMCHP, please join our CEO, Terrance E. Moore, for a casual and virtual conversation over coffee. Register to:

  • Learn more about him and his vision, particularly as AMCHP continues to shape the organization’s 5-year strategic plan;
  • Discuss the challenges you have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • Provide input and best practices on what AMCHP can do to redouble our support to our members as you continue to navigate workforce mental health burnout in your jurisdictions.

Join us on July 13, at 2:45 PM EDT (Register). This session will be held on Zoom and will be 45 minutes long.

Session registration is capped at thirty, so register today! Follow AMCHP’s CEO on Twitter at @AMCHP_CEO. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@amchp.org.

New MCH Bridges Podcast Episode

Rest is Infinite: Shifting Our Mindsets on Rest & Productivity

Our newest MCH Bridges episode is now live! Episode 5 – “Rest is Infinite: Shifting Our Mindsets on Rest & Productivity.”

In this episode, we tackle the topic of redefining rest and productivity with Marissa McKool, Career and Life Coach. Marissa shares her personal wake-up call on the brink of burnout, explores why we are sometimes hesitant to take time off, discusses how supervisors and managers can be more supportive of staff, the intersection of oppressive systems and thoughts on rest, and shares ideas and tips for reshaping our mindset throughout the conversation.

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 Announced Family LEAD Committee Discussion with Family Leaders & Representatives

AMCHP is currently working on our strategic plan for 2022 – 2027. As part of the discovery phase of the process, our Family LEAD Committee is hosting a call for family leaders and representatives to hear directly from families on experiences, challenges, and opportunities at the local level.

Join us for an important and constructive conversation, on Thursday, June 30, from 3 – 4 PM EDT. Register here by COB Friday, June 24.

We ask that you forward this invitation to your contacts, listservs, and community organizations so we can reach as many families as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Crawford (mcrawford@amchp.org).

Recent AMCHP Announcements

 

AMCHP Annual Conference

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the AMCHP 2022 Annual Conference!

Post-Conference Reminders

You still have access to ALL conference content!

Want to revisit your favorite session or engage with the content you might have missed live? For a full year, all registered participants will have access to all the on-demand content, live plenary sessions, workshops, and more! Visit the conference website, log in with your access code, and continue to be inspired by all the wonderful speakers and participants this year on your own time.

Annual Post-Conference Evaluation Survey

Keep an eye out for an email with a survey link to evaluate the conference! This survey is extremely important for AMCHP to continue putting your voice first when crafting the next conference experience. Help our conference planning committee serve you better by filling out the survey to the best of your ability!

The survey will be sent directly from SurveyMonkey – please check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see it in your inbox. For any questions, feel free to contact Courtney Salley (csalley@amchp.org).

Save the Date for AMCHP 2023

Are you feeling revitalized by the powerful content of this year’s conference? SAVE THE DATE for next year’s in-person conference that will take place May 7-9, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. We are so excited to be able to offer an in-person experience after two years of wonderful, virtual conferences!

Interested in receiving all the details about the AMCHP 2023 Annual Conference? Subscribe to our email list at this link!

Annual Conference Approved for Continuing Education  

As of May 4, 2022, the AMCHP 2022 Annual Conference meets Accreditation and CDC’S Quality Training Standards. Please click this link for more information.

 

AMCHP Mental Health Corner

Mental health is an important component of well-being for MCH populations. To recognize its importance, we will use this space to highlight resources for MCH professionals to support their own 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.

This month, we have launched a social media campaign celebrating Pride Month and calling attention to the unique context around mental health concerns that LGBTQIA2S+ folks face. Keep up with the hashtag #AMCHPMentalHealth on Twitter to learn more about the prevalence of LGBTQ+ identities, how discrimination impacts mental health for LGBTQ+ individuals and helpful resources.

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 emailing jsimon@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.

 

AMCHP National Policy Calls

AMCHP Policy and Partnerships Town Halls

Thank you to those of you who joined us for our June AMCHP Policy and Partnerships Town Hall. Watch the full recording:

The next Town Hall will be on Thursday, July 14, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT. We invite you to register for that and future Town Halls at this link.

 

Legislation & Policy

Explore our Maternal Health Bill Tracker for more information about pending federal legislation to improve maternal health.

Legislation Addressing Infant Formula Shortage Signed into Law 

On May 21, President Biden signed into law the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 (P.L.117-129) in response to the ongoing infant formula shortage. The legislation, which passed the House and Senate with near unanimous support, provides the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the authority to waive certain regulatory requirements in response to emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Additionally, the Access to Baby Formula Act directs the USDA to require contingency plans for potential future shortages in contracts with infant formula manufacturers. A second bill addressing the infant formula shortage, the Infant Formula Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022 (H.R.7790), would provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with $28 million in supplemental funding. However, while the bill passed the House, it has not yet moved forward in the Senate.

 

Opportunities & Funding 

AMCHP Career Center: Connecting Talent with Opportunity 

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. 

Career Opportunity: AMCHP Associate Director (or Director) of Policy and Government Affairs

AMCHP is pleased to announce that we are seeking an Associate Director (or Director) of Policy and Government Affairs. This senior-level position is a member of AMCHP’s Public Policy & Government Affairs Team and contributes to the advancement of maternal and child health (MCH) in the U.S. by working on initiatives that support AMCHP’s legislative agenda. This individual maintains a commitment to dismantling structural racism and rebuilding the policy systems that serve our communities in ways that center on racial and other forms of equity. The position reports to the Chief Government Affairs officer, and it’s located in Washington, DC. AMCHP offers a 100% virtual work/telework environment.

To learn more and to apply, please visit this link.

Maternal and Child Health Journal Supplement on Public Health Approaches to Perinatal Substance Use

The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) are pleased to announce a forthcoming supplement on “Public Health Approaches to Perinatal Substance Use,” to be published by the Maternal and Child Health Journal. This supplement, sponsored by AMCHP and ASTHO, will feature articles that address policies and programs dedicated to expanding access to mental health and substance use care during the perinatal period. Please read our Call for Papers to learn more.

MCH researchers, state and local public health professionals, healthcare providers, policymakers, advocates at community-based organizations, and other allied professionals are encouraged to submit manuscripts. In June and July, we are hosting a writing workshop led by Timothy Dye, Editor-in-Chief of the Maternal and Child Health Journal, to support authors. Register to attend one or both writing workshops here. The sessions are on June 17 and July 22, from 1 – 3 PM EDT.

If you are interested in submitting to the supplement, reviewing manuscript submissions, or have general questions about the supplement, please email Amani Echols (aechols@amchp.org).

 

Partner Events/Webinars

Recordings Available: 3-Part Webinar Series on Survivor-Centered Support During COVID

Our partners at Futures Without Violence held a 3-part webinar series this spring to share findings from the issue brief “Lessons Learned About Survivor-Centered Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recommendations for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Advocates, Pediatric Healthcare Providers, and Child Welfare and Family Violence Advocates.” This brief focuses on best practices and innovative strategies that IPV advocates and IPV service agencies can implement to form stronger support networks for survivors of violence and abuse that continue to function in emergency conditions.

Developed through a collaborative effort of the Improving Services for Violence Against Children and Women project (by Futures Without Violence, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and from research by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh), the brief explores the connections between IPV and child abuse, the intersection of family violence with the COVID-19 pandemic, the inequities that shape them both, and practice and systems change recommendations for the field to better serve adult and child survivors during a national crisis.

Access the issue brief and the recordings from the webinar series at this link.

Registration Now Open for the 2022 Conference on Adolescent Health

Registration for the hybrid 2022 Conference on Adolescent Health is now open!  Join a multi-disciplinary audience of over 450 health professionals from across the country for two days of engaging content around Adolescent Health. Session topics include culturally competent sex education, responding to the mental health needs of youth during a continued pandemic, the impacts of racism on adolescent health, and more. The in-person portion of the Conference will be held in Ypsilanti, Michigan, at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest.

Early Bird rates will close on Friday, July 1, and registration closes on Friday, July 29. Register now!

 

Publication & Resources

New Blueprint for Change: National Framework for System of Services for CYSHCN

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau recently released the Blueprint for Change: A National Framework for a System of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN).

This work is the culmination of a nearly two- and half-year effort. MCHB’s Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs (DSCSHN) gathered people and organizations across the country to collaborate, including CYSHCN and their families, consumers, health care professionals, public health leaders, researchers, and academic institutions. The vision is that CYSHCN:

  • Enjoy a full life, from childhood through adulthood
  • Thrive in systems that:
    • Support their families, and their social, health, and emotional needs
    • Ensure dignity, autonomy, independence, and active participation in their community

The Blueprint for Change is a series of articles that make up a supplement in Pediatrics.  The series is comprised of:

  • A Blueprint for Change: Provides the rationale, guiding assumptions, and principles
  • CYSHCN Profile: Uses the National Survey of Children’s Health data to highlight the diverse population of CYSHCN and their challenges to receive services in a well-functioning system
  • Progress, Persistence, and Hope: Provides an overview of the history of MCHB’s role in supporting CYSHCN and their families
  • Spotlight on four key focus areas: Health Equity; Family and Child Wellbeing and Quality of Life; Access to Supports and Services; and Financing of Services

For more information and to take action, check out the Blueprint for Change web page and the Frequently Asked Questions.

HHS Baby Formula Shortage Website + Social Media Toolkit

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) created a new website and social media toolkit that provides graphics and copy for posts in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Creole, offering resources to find infant formula, as well as guidance and best practices when in need of baby formula to assist families during the infant formula shortage.

Spread the word to communities affected by the infant formula shortage! Use this link to access the social media toolkit.

Guidance to parents and families in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Navajo, and Creole is available at HHS.gov/formula.

Recent Publications & Resources

 

Commemorations

June 2022 

Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Cataract Awareness Month
Commemorating Juneteenth
Men’s Health Month
Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
National Aphasia Awareness Month
National Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month
National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
National Scleroderma Awareness Month
PTSD Awareness Month
Scoliosis Awareness Month

Weeks to Note:
Men’s Health Week; June 13 – 19
Helen Keller Def-Blind Awareness Week; June 21 – 27

Days to Note:
National Cancer Survivors Day; June 6
World Brain Tumor Day; June 8
Family Health and Fitness Day; June 11
World Blood Donor Day; June 14
Juneteenth; June 19
Autistic Pride Day; June 18
World Sickle Cell Day; June 19
World Vitiligo Day; June 25
National HIV Testing Day; June 27