COVID-19 Resources
CDC COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review- A Better Data Picture
For the past two years, COVID-19 has dominated respiratory disease activity in the United States, with other respiratory viruses circulating at lower levels than usual. But that trend has changed this year—flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been on the rise, especially among children. The combination of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 has strained healthcare systems this fall and winter. Therefore, it is important to continue to track COVID-19 on its own, but also in the context of these other respiratory illnesses and hospital use overall.
CDC recently released three new tools that allow people to see hospitalization and emergency department data and compare trends across seasons and by respiratory disease type. [read more]
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).
Join AMCHP in Observing National Birth Defects Awareness Month
In January, AMCHP joins our partners at the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) in observing National Birth Defects Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness about birth defects and highlight efforts to improve the health of people living with these conditions across their lifespan. The theme this year is “Healthy Communities, Healthy Babies.” Not all birth defects can be prevented. However, we encourage all pregnant people and prospective parents to make healthy choices and adopt healthier habits to help lower their risk of having a baby born with a birth defect.
5 Tips from NBDPN & CDC for Preventing Birth Defects:
- Tip 1: Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day.
- Tip 2: Plan a visit with your healthcare provider to support a healthy pregnancy.
- Tip 3: Reduce your risk of infections.
- Tip 4: Care for your body and mind, before and during pregnancy.
- Tip 5: Avoid harmful substances during pregnancy, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Join us in our work towards a day when all babies are born with the best health possible. We invite you to visit our webpage to access more information and resources developed by AMCHP and NBDPN, like this interactive Resource Map, and share them among your networks!
Call for 2023 AMCHP Annual Award Nominations is OPEN!
AMCHP is excited to announce that we are accepting nominations for the 2023 AMCHP Annual Awards! The awards will be presented at the AMCHP Annual Conference, held in a hybrid format from May 6-9, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Every year, AMCHP recognizes individuals in the maternal and child health (MCH) community who have gone above and beyond to positively impact those around them. Leaders, innovators, professionals, youth, and legislators are nominated and selected based on their commitment and contributions to advancing MCH.
Click here to view the award categories and descriptions.
If you are interested in nominating someone, please fill out this nomination form and submit all nomination materials to Nikeisha Ogletree, Chief Operating Officer, at awards@amchp.org by February 13, 2023.
Explore Our New Strategic Plan: AMCHP Future 2027
AMCHP is thrilled to announce the launch of our new five-year strategic plan, AMCHP Future 2027. The plan, which resulted in our new strategic map and implementation plan, was brought together by our Board of Directors and staff. It examined and reimagined key areas (i.e., “pillars”) of our organization’s work through 2027, including:
- Health Equity & Anti-Racism
- Policy & Advocacy
- Youth, Families, & People with Lived Experience
- Maternal & Child Health Talent
- Communications & Branding
- Partnerships
- Membership
Invitation to Member Forum
Are you interested in learning more about AMCHP Future 2027? Join AMCHP CEO Terrance E. Moore in our member call on Thursday, February 2, at 2:00 PM ET, to discuss our journey to 2027. Register now at this link.
New MCH Bridges Podcast – We Need to Start Talking About Stillbirth
Our newest MCH Bridges episode is now live! Episode 12– “We Need to Start Talking About Stillbirth”
This documentary-style episode highlights the lived experiences of families who have experienced a stillbirth. You’ll hear from Jasmine Abraham and Nneka Hall, who share their personal experiences after Jasmine’s son Qasam and Nneka’s daughter Annaya were born still. You’ll also hear from Rose Horton, a nurse and Executive Director of Women and Infant Services at Emory Decatur Hospital who also created #NotOnMyWatch. You’ll learn about what stillbirth is and what we know about risk factors and prevention. The episode also discusses the short- and long-term impacts of the loss of a baby and what supports and systems-levels changes are needed.
Tune in now to listen to host Maura Leahy and speakers Jasmine Abraham, Nneka Hall, and Rose Horton as they delve into such an important topic.
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 intended 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.
2022 is a Wrap! MCH Bridges Top 5 Podcast Episodes
On behalf of our hosts and guests, AMCHP would like to thank you for tuning in to our MCH Bridges Podcast in 2022. In the past year, we published 9 episodes full of meaningful content that resulted in 1,644 downloads and 55,721 minutes listened in 19 different countries and 479 cities!
Tune in to our top 5 episodes of 2022:
- Queering Perinatal Mental Health
- Rest Is Infinite: Shifting Our Mindsets on Rest & Productivity
- Centering the Soul Ties to the Food We Eat: A Strategy for Equity in Nutrition Services
- What’s Public Health Got to Do With It? Maternal Health, Substance Use, and the Criminal Justice System
- Public Health Across Borders: Unaccompanied Immigrant Children, Mental Health, and the U.S. Immigration System
How can we make MCH Bridges better in 2023?
Please take a few minutes to fill out our MCH Bridges evaluation, which can be found at this link. Help us learn about your satisfaction levels with our episodes in 2022, and let us know your preferences in terms of length, format, and content.
AMCHP 2022 Accomplishment Report Available Now!
As the new year begins, AMCHP is pleased to share our 2022 Accomplishment Report! This report codifies much of the key work we’ve completed last year with the support of our members, partners, and the MCH community. With a new website, securing nearly $1.3 million of new funding, continued investments in health equity activities, and more, we were able to contribute a positive and tangible impact on the MCH community. We look forward to more progress together with our new strategic plan this year! View our full report here.
Save the Date for NBDPN 2023
AMCHP is pleased to announce the return of the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN) Conference, taking place August 14-16, 2023 in Atlanta, GA. Save the date for this outstanding event that AMCHP is co-hosting, which will offer relevant and timely content in the areas of Surveillance Operations, Partnerships and Family Engagement, Epidemiology/Data, and Prevention, Intervention, and Public Policy as it relates to birth defects and overall maternal and child health
Visit the website to learn about the conference, the Call for Proposals (deadline extension: March 3, 2023), and information regarding registration, hotel, and much more. Additionally, the conference organizers are opening a call for Reviewers and/or Track Coordinators. Please view this form for a short description and if you are interested, please proceed to fill it out by February 24.
For questions about this event, please contact NBDPNmeetings@conferencemanagers.com. We hope to see you there!
Recent AMCHP News
AMCHP Annual Conference
Have you saved the date for the 2023 Annual Conference? Mark your calendars for May 6-9, 2023, to attend in New Orleans, Louisiana! Our 2023 edition of the AMCHP Annual Conference will offer content in-person and through our virtual conference platform with the theme Cultivating Diverse Leaders in Maternal and Child Health. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to receive updates and information about the conference!
Conference Platform is Live
Visit our conference platform to view the updated schedule at-a-glance (which includes opportunities for networking and skill-building sessions as well as plenty of impactful workshops and inspiring plenary sessions.), hotel and travel information, exhibits and sponsor information, and much more!
Early Bird Registration is Open
Early Bird registration for the 2023 AMCHP Annual Conference is now open! Register to attend in person or virtually by Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 11:59 PM PT, to take advantage of the early bird pricing. Are you not sure whether you will attend in person or virtually? You can change your attendance status without penalties until Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 11:59 PM PT.
You can register now to secure your spot here!
Now Accepting Hotel Reservations
You can now make your hotel reservation to attend the 2023 AMCHP Annual Conference in person. Book your stay at the New Orleans Marriot in New Orleans, LA, by EOD April 13, 2023, or until the block sells out. We look forward to seeing you!
Support CBOs, Tribal Government Representatives, and Youth at Our Upcoming Annual Conference!
Our annual conference is fast approaching. While we can’t wait to see you at AMCHP 2023, we also recognize the deep value of having youth and young adult leaders, community-based organizations (CBOs), and those representing tribal entities attend as well. Here is a letter from our President and CEO providing further details about ways to support these individuals to attend. We shared a similar letter last year, and based on our conference evaluation, it inspired jurisdictions to financially support 10 youth and young adult leaders (including students), CBOs, and tribal government representatives to participate. Nearly a quarter of those who received the letter indicated that it helped them build or strengthen relationships with the individuals that they sponsored to attend the conference.
We are hopeful that this letter will have the same, or an even larger, impact this year. We also hope that it inspires you and your colleagues to have conversations about ways that you can further partner with and support these individuals and groups in your own work. Check out our conference registration page for further information.
New Blog Posts
- The AMCHP Annual Conference Scholarship: Integrating the Perspectives of CBOs, Family Leaders, Youth, & Tribal Government Representatives Into AMCHP 2023: The AMCHP Annual Conference Scholarship aims to invite and financially support youth and young adult leaders (including students), family leaders, community‐based organizations (CBOs), and representatives of tribal entities involved with your MCH efforts to attend. Often community members and youth and young adults are not involved, integrated, or prioritized when it comes to the various policies and programs that impact their peers and families. Cultivating and sustaining relationships with diverse leaders cannot be achieved without amplifying, supporting, and compensating the efforts of community leaders who contribute to the vitality of maternal and child health! [read more]
- Tracing the Origins of the AMCHP Annual Awards: Honoring Leaders Advancing MCH: Each year, AMCHP recognizes individuals in the maternal and child health (MCH) community who have gone above and beyond to positively impact those around them. Leaders, innovators, professionals, youth, and legislators are nominated and selected based on their commitment and contributions to advancing MCH. In this post, you can learn more about the awards’ history, look back on previous winners, and learn how you can nominate someone for an award this year. [read more]
- Behind the Scenes of AMCHP 2023: Meet Linda Starnes: Linda serves as a member of the AMCHP Conference Planning Committee and the Statewide Family Leader for the Florida Department of Health Office of Children’s Medical Services Care Plan and Specialty Programs, Title V CYSHCN Program. We invited her to share her thoughts to give participants a chance to learn more about her, the work she contributes to the committee, and the importance of this conference from the perspective of a family leader. [read more]
New From AMCHP
New State Public Health Autism Resource Center (SPHARC) Website!
AMCHP is pleased to announce the launch of a new State Public Health Autism Resource Center (SPHARC) website. SPHARC is a comprehensive web-based resource center intended to provide ongoing technical assistance and facilitate cross-state learning to increase the capacity of states, particularly Title V programs, in developing and implementing systems of care for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD).
The new website was designed to make it easier to understand SPHARC’s work and the populations it reaches. The website is broken down into the four major areas of SPHARC’s work:
- Resource development
- Technical assistance
- Peer learning
- Centering lived experience
The new SPHARC website features:
- Easy navigation around four focus areas
- Fillable online forms to request technical assistance or contact SPHARC staff
- Searchable resource library
This website was developed for anyone who is working to increase the ability of states and jurisdictions to develop and implement systems of care for children and youth with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD). It will also be of use to state and local decision-makers, public health professionals and leaders, family and community leaders, students, policymakers, Autistic adolescents, young adults, and adults, and anyone who wants to center Autistic voices in their work and co-design programs and policies with Autistic people.
You can access the new SPHARC website here. You may also contact the SPHARC team at spharc@amchp.org for additional questions or information requests.
AMCHP Information & Resources
Recent AMCHP Information & Resources
- AMCHP’s Building Resilience from Lived Experience Series
- Mind Matters: AYA Mental Health Capacity Building for Title V
AMCHP Innovation Hub
Be a Part of AMCHP’s Replication Projects!
See a practice in AMCHP’s MCH Innovations Database that caught your eye? Interested in building partnerships with other MCH organizations while enhancing your organizational capacity? Consider participating in AMCHP’s Replication Projects for the 2023-2024 project year! Each year, AMCHP offers awards between $15,000-$25,000 for organizations to replicate a Cutting-Edge, Promising, or Best Practice from the MCH Innovations Database. You’ll receive peer coaching from a representative of the practice as well as tailored assistance from AMCHP to help you adapt the practice to your unique context and situation.
The Replication Project offers two levels of support (capacity building or implementation) depending on your organization’s level of readiness to begin replication.
- Capacity Building focuses on growing your organization’s capacity and partnerships to help you prepare to replicate a practice.
- Implementation focuses on helping you plan for and begin adapting a practice to your setting.
Want to learn more about this opportunity?
Visit our webpage, NEW blog post on what your organization can receive from participating, and review our Readiness Checklist to get started. Note that in order to submit an application, you must first complete an exploratory call by January 31, 2023.
Questions? Email us at evidence@amchp.org.
AMCHP Mental Health Corner
Mental health is an important component of well-being for MCAH populations. Read more about AMCHP’s organizational work on mental health and substance use here.
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 AMCHP Policy and Partnerships Town Halls. You can find the full recordings of past Town Halls on our Government Affairs Overview webpage. The next Policy and Partnerships Town Hall will be Thursday, February 9, 2023, from 2–3 pm ET. We invite you to register for all 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.
Fiscal Year 2023 Spending Legislation Passed, Includes Key Investments in Maternal and Child Health
President Biden has signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L.117-328), funding the federal government through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The legislation provides $822.7 million for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant in FY23, an increase of $75 million above the Fiscal Year 22 funding level. In addition to FY23 funding, the legislation also reauthorized the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program for another 5 years, requires 12 months of continuous coverage for children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, and makes permanent the Medicaid state option to provide 12-months of continuous coverage during the postpartum period.
For further details about what is included in the FY23 appropriations package for maternal and child health, see this AMCHP legislative alert.
Opportunities & Funding
AMCHP Career Center: Connecting Talent with Opportunity
AMCHP lists the top jobs available in our industry. Access the AMCHP Career Center to search and apply for open positions or post your jobs and opportunities! Search for Jobs | Post a Job.
AMCHP Career Opportunities
Be part of our team! AMCHP is seeking individuals for the role listed below. AMCHP offers a 100% virtual work/telework environment for all positions.
- Associate Director/Director – Health Equity Innovation & Implementation: The Associate Director/Director will expand the organization and its membership capacity to interrogate, research, design, and implement sound health equity programs and interconnected policy work in their jurisdictions. The Associate Director/Director will 1) lead health equity capacity-building and technical assistance efforts through a transdisciplinary, anti-racist framework and 2) create a process and mechanisms toward accomplishing stated health equity and anti-racism goals in AMCHP’s 5-year strategic plan, AMCHP Futures 27. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer. [learn more and apply]
- Program Analyst – Special Projects: The Program Analyst will have a primary role in providing effective and responsive administration & maintenance of the web-based resource hub, www.ReviewtoAction.org, that supports quality and comprehensiveness of the maternal mortality review process. The Program Analyst will also provide integrative data and evaluation support to assist measurement and evaluation of other special projects and maintenance of associated data platforms and websites, and to support the organizational efforts to measure, track, analyze, and report on progress toward accomplishing AMCHP’s current strategic plan. This position reports to the Associate Director of Epidemiology, Evaluation, & Metrics. [learn more and apply]
- Consultant – Qualitative Data Collection: AMCHP is seeking a consultant skilled in qualitative facilitation of focus groups and key informant interviews for our Equity Landscape Assessment. The consultant will also present findings to AMCHP project staff via virtual meeting and draft report; report will be incorporated into larger landscape assessment and is not required to be copyedited or professionally designed. [learn more and apply]
- Consultant – Landscape Analysis Report: AMCHP is seeking a consultant skilled in synthesizing key findings from each assessment as well as the overall themes and recommendations as conveyed in meetings with the AMCHP staff team in a summary report for our Equity Landscape Assessment. [learn more and apply]
- Senior Manager – Epidemiology, Evaluation, and Metrics: This position will assist in the facilitation of AMCHP’s mission to optimize equity in its internal and external processes and provide integrative evaluation support coupled with organizational metrics development and tracking. Primarily, this position will support capacity-building and technical assistance efforts for epidemiology, evaluation, and metrics, and support the organizational efforts to measure, track, analyze, and regularly report on progress toward accomplishing AMCHP’s current strategic plan. [learn more and apply]
To learn more about AMCHP’s career opportunities, please visit this link.
Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP) 2023 Intern + Host Site Applications Now Open!
AMCHP is currently accepting Summer 2023 Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP) student and host site applications. The student and host site application period goes from January 12, 2023, until February 22, 2023, at 11:59pm EST. This Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Epidemiology leadership program is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and administered by AMCHP. Read more about GSEP, student and host site eligibility, expectations, and benefits on our webpage.
A few notable internship highlights:
- Paid, 10-week, 100% remote graduate student summer internships to develop leaders in MCH epidemiology.
- Explore projects and diverse career pathways in MCH Epidemiology.
- Work with state and local public health agencies without relocating and receive thoughtful mentorship from practicing, applied epidemiologists.
- Optional, in-person site visits with costs covered.
- Learn practical skills and expand professional networks in ways that will give interns an advantage as they enter the MCH Epidemiology workforce.
To apply, please visit our webpage. For questions, please contact Mikayla Frye (mfrye@amchp.org).
Apply to be a Host Site with CSTE Fellowships!
The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) is still accepting applications from state, territorial, local, and tribal public health agencies to host fellows in the Applied Epidemiology Fellowship (AEF) and the Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship (APHIF).
Application deadline for both APHIF & AEF host sites has been extended to Friday, January 27, 2023.
AEF Host Site Application Information
AEF is designed to give recent masters and doctoral public health graduates with training in epidemiology on-the-job training at health departments in preparation for a career in applied epidemiology. Through the guidance of experienced mentors, fellows develop applied epidemiologic skills by working on projects identified as priorities by the health department. More information, including details on mentor eligibility requirements, and the application are available online at Prospective Host Sites | CSTE Fellows
APHIF Host Site Application Information
APHIF is a 2-year training fellowship program for early career professionals in the fields of public health informatics and data science. To host a fellow for the 2023-2025 class, host sites submit an application that describes their ability to provide mentorship, applied projects supporting data modernization work, and hands-on learning experiences. For more information on the APHIF fellowship, including mentor eligibility, recording of an informational webinar for prospective host sites, and the link to the APHIF host site application, please visit their webpage.
Please note: Submission and/or acceptance of an application does not guarantee placement of a fellow at your host agency. For any questions about the host site application for either fellowship, contact CSTE at either aef@cste.org or aphif@cste.org or 770-458-3811.
Summer 2023 Title V MCH Internship Program Application is Now Open
In the summer of 2023, the National Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Workforce Development Center will support at least seven teams of MCH students to participate in internships in state and territorial Title V programs.
As a Title V MCH Intern, you will receive the following opportunities:
- Work on a project focused on improving the health of women, children, or families
- Learn about the MCH system of care in your assigned state or territory
- Network with leaders in the field of MCH and students from other MCH Training Programs
- Receive training in MCH systems, leadership, team building, and mentoring
Apply via the Qualtrics Online Application found on the MCHWDC website. Submit the materials and complete the online application at the application link by February 3, 2023.
More information:
- Review the Student Application (PDF)
- View the 2023 Summer Projects (PDF)
- Watch the Fall Student Information Presentation
Please contact Gabriella Masini at titlevmchinternship@uic.edu if you have any questions about the application or the internship!
ORISE Fellowship Position- HRSA Maternal and Child Health Home Visiting and Early Childhood Systems Health Research Fellowship
Interested recent Masters or Doctoral degree graduates or current graduate students are encouraged to apply for the ORISE/Maternal and Child Health Home Visiting and Early Childhood Systems Health Research Fellowship. The ORISE Fellow will collaborate with the Division of Home Visiting and Early Childhood Systems to support activities focused on advancing health equity and strengthening Early Childhood Systems. See the full announcement for details on the fellowship, eligibility, and how to apply. The fellow will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with their educational level and experience. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Call for Reviewers: Maternal and Child Health Journal Supplement on Public Health Approaches to Perinatal Substance Use
AMCHP and ASTHO invite you to serve as a peer reviewer for our journal supplement on Public Health Approaches to Perinatal Substance Use in the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Journal. Peer reviewing is an enriching experience that benefits both the individuals who dedicate their time and expertise to the process and the MCH community. You can learn more about the role and responsibilities of peer reviewers here.
If you would like to peer review, please complete this short survey. The information provided will be shared with the Editor-in-Chief of the MCH Journal to initiate matching you to papers within your interests and expertise. (Note: it is possible to submit to this supplement AND review a submission).
For questions, please email Amani Echols (AMCHP) at aechols@amchp.org.
Partner Events & Webinars
Webinar on Pregnancy and Substance Use: Understanding the Science and Legislative Policy Impact
Please join the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and Pregnancy Justice on February 1, 2023, at 3 pm ET for the webinar Pregnancy and Substance Use: Understanding the Science and Legislative Policy Impact, presented by Dr. Morissa Ladinsky, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine and Benjamin McMichael, Ph.D., J.D., Associate Professor, University of Alabama, School of Law. This webinar will discuss the medical science of substance use and addiction, important medication and treatment for pregnant women, and strategies promoting positive outcomes. It will also highlight an analysis of a chemical endangerment law, its purpose, data analysis, and the law’s impact. REGISTER HERE
Publications & Resources
New Resource: A Roadmap For Advancing Family-Engaged Developmental Monitoring
AMCHP staff recently served on the Advisory Board that provided guidance and contributions to a new resource from the Help Me Grow National Resource Center, “A Roadmap for Advancing Family-Engaged Developmental Monitoring”. The purpose of the Roadmap is to introduce and describe family-engaged developmental monitoring (FEDM) as a key component of a framework for children’s healthy development and family wellbeing that includes developmental promotion, FEDM, screening, referral, and receipt of services. More information on how to use the Roadmap can be found on Help Me Grow National Center’s website.
Commemorations
January 2023
National Birth Defects Awareness Month
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Cervical Health Awareness Month
Days to Note:
World Leprosy Day; January 29
