February 8, 2024

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February 8, 2024

AMCHP Member Briefs Banner: A bi-weekly AMCHP newsletter. Image of a family sitting outside on a porch.

AMCHP Announcements

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AMCHP Launches New Award Category: Community Partnership Award

AMCHP is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the Community Partnership Award, a new category of our AMCHP Annual Awards. The award will be presented at the AMCHP Annual Conference, held in a hybrid format April 13-16 in Oakland, California.

The Community Partnership Award is designed to honor and celebrate exemplary collaborations between Title V entities and community-based organizations. Partnerships provide the maternal and child health workforce with data to identify community needs and the perspectives necessary to promote health service utilization through community-rooted solutions. This award uplifts the importance of sustainable and outcome-focused partnerships in promoting the dignity and overall well-being of communities.

If selected, the Title V entity and community-based organization will receive full conference registration of their choosing (in-person or virtual). If a representative of the community-based organization would like to attend the conference in person, reimbursement of up to $1,800 will be provided for airfare and meals to attend the AMCHP Annual Conference. In addition, AMCHP will provide up to two nights of lodging. Other reasonable accommodations can be provided upon request.

Criteria for Recognition:

Innovative Collaboration: Recognizing partnerships that demonstrate creativity and innovation in addressing public health challenges. This includes the development of novel programs, initiatives, or interventions that have a measurable and positive impact on community health outcomes.
Equitable Community Engagement: Acknowledging efforts that actively involve and uplift community members in the decision-making process. Successful partnerships should demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and responsiveness to the unique needs of diverse populations.
Effective Resource Utilization: Highlighting collaborations that recognize barriers to sustainable implementation by optimizing the effective and equitable use of available resources, including financial, human, and technological resources.
Measurable Impact: Celebrating partnerships that have a proven, tangible impact on short or long-term public health indicators. This may include improvements in health outcomes, increased community awareness, or the successful implementation of preventive measures.
Sustainability and Long-Term Commitment: Recognizing partnerships that exhibit a commitment to long-term success and sustainability. The award aims to recognize long-term projects that foster enduring relationships for lasting, positive change.

Nomination and Selection Process:

Nominations for the Community Partnership Award are open to governmental public health agencies and community-based organizations. To accommodate a range of applicants, applications will be evaluated based on a submitted narrative and a subsequent call with AMCHP staff.

Download the nomination form and submit all nomination materials to awards@amchp.org by February 22. Upon submission, nominees will receive a link to schedule a call with AMCHP staff. Awardees will be notified by March 18.

Recent AMCHP Announcements

AMCHP Annual Conference

Have you saved the date for the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference? Mark your calendars to join us April 13-16 at the Oakland Marriott City Center, in Oakland, California! We will continue to offer content in-person and virtually through our conference platform with the theme Partnering with Purpose. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our Annual Conference Newsletter to be the first to receive updates and information about the conference, and share the link with your peers!

Deadline Approaching: Early Bird Registration Ends February 12

We are less than a week away from the early bird registration deadline for the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference! Register to attend in person or virtually by February 12 to take advantage of the early bird pricing. Visit our conference platform to view more information regarding registration rates, including discounted rates for youth/students, community-based organizations, tribal entities, and family leaders.

Are you not sure whether you will attend in person or virtually? You can change your attendance status without penalties until March 11. You can also lock in the early bird rate by completing your registration by the deadline and selecting the “pay later” option.

Start planning your attendance and register now to secure your spot!

Full Conference Schedule Now Available

AMCHP released the full schedule of workshops, skills-building sessions, and roundtables at the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference. The 68 workshops, 10 skills-building sessions, and 2 roundtables are organized along subject matter tracks:

Black Maternal Health
Epidemiology, Data, Assessment, and Evaluation
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities
Family Engagement & Partnership
Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health
Mental Health/Behavioral Health
Policy & Advocacy
Workforce Development and Leadership
Youth Engagement & Partnership

Click on the full schedule to view sessions by date or by doing a keyword search. All sessions are displayed in Pacific Time (PT). Start creating your list of must-see sessions today!

Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week at AMCHP 2024

This year, the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference falls during Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW). BMHW is a week-long, annual campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and takes place April 11-17. It is a celebration and annual crescendo in the reproductive justice movement and a time of deep solidarity, creativity, visioning, and action.

The co-occurrence of the AMCHP conference during Black Maternal Health Week was not intentional, and we wish we acknowledged it sooner. We will ensure that AMCHP conference activities include time, space, and acknowledgment for attendees to participate in virtual events hosted by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and partner organizations. We will maximize the opportunity presented by AMCHP 2024 and convening maternal and child health leaders from across the country to raise awareness of this critical movement, to honor Black maternal health leaders, birthing people, and families, and to make deep commitments to using our collective power to transform systems for reproductive justice and racial justice.

We look forward to providing more updates on how we will celebrate Black Maternal Health Week at AMCHP 2024 through our conference newsletter and forthcoming detailed agenda.

Still Accepting Hotel Reservations

You can still make your hotel reservation to attend AMCHP 2024 in person. Book your stay at the Oakland Marriott in Oakland, CA, by March 16 or until the block sells out. We look forward to seeing you!

Support Youth, Family Leaders, Community-Rooted Partners, and Representatives of Tribal Entities at Our Upcoming Annual Conference

Our annual conference is fast approaching. While we can’t wait to see you at AMCHP 2024, we also recognize the deep value of having youth and young adult leaders (including students), family leaders, community-based organizations (CBOs), community-rooted partners, and representatives of tribal entities attend as well.

AMCHP has composed 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), family leaders, CBOs, community-rooted partners, and tribal government representatives to participate. Nearly a quarter of those who received the letter indicated it helped them build or strengthen relationships with the individuals 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 purpose and support these individuals and groups in your own work.

Check out our conference registration page for more information.

AMCHP Annual Conference Scholarship for Community-Based Organizations (CBO), Youth, Family Leaders, and Tribal Entities

The AMCHP Annual Conference Scholarship for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Youth, Family Leaders, and Tribal Entities aims to invite and financially support youth and young adult leaders (including students), CBOs, and representatives of tribal entities involved with maternal and child health (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. This effort ties directly into the overall theme of partnership for this year’s upcoming conference while also being a focus of AMCHP’s strategic plan around partnership development.

How Can I Support?

As we recognize the need to involve and prioritize diverse leaders in discussions and decisions that affect their communities and families, we invite you to make a meaningful impact by making a financial investment towards enabling representatives from these groups to attend this year’s conference, either in-person or virtually.

AMCHP is committed to providing a space and audience so that the talent and expertise of community representatives are recognized and integrated into MCH priorities. Fostering an environment at the conference to learn from, network with, and share insights with one another is a great opportunity for you to do so as well! We believe that supporting representatives to attend the conference will increase your program’s capacity in youth and community engagement as well as leadership development. Your support is not just a donation; it’s a meaningful step toward building and sustaining trusting relationships with these groups in your state or jurisdiction.

We encourage you to visit our conference registration page and consider making the financial investment to send youth and young adults, CBOs, and representatives of tribal entities from your state or jurisdiction to the conference either in-person or virtually.

Latest Blog Posts

The 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference – An Opportunity for Growth and Connection: The deadline for early bird registration to participate in the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference, AMCHP 2024, is approaching. So, if you are still pondering your participation or are still deciding whether to participate in person or virtually, we have you covered! Join us in this post as we revisit some of the benefits offered by our conference and reasons to connect with maternal and child health (MCH) leaders and thinkers at AMCHP 2024. [read more]
Behind the Scenes of AMCHP 2024 – Meet Sedona Allen Moreno-Castelan: Sedona Allen Moreno-Castelan is a healer, warrior, and serves as a member of the AMCHP Conference Planning Committee. 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 year’s annual conference from the perspective of a youth/young adult leader. [read more]
Discover Oakland – A Gem of Culture, Cuisine, and Adventure: We are excited to host this year’s conference in Oakland, California! Oakland is a city full of heritage, great food, and activities and we have included a short guide of places to go and events to attend during your stay. We can’t wait to see you there! [read more]

Health & Safety at AMCHP 2024

The health and safety of AMCHP members, attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, staff, venue staff, and the surrounding community are of the utmost importance to AMCHP. We are committed to reducing risks related to the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of attending an in-person event. AMCHP continues to monitor local and national guidance and will modify our health and safety practices and policies as appropriate. Updates will be posted to the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference page.

Voices of AMCHP

Deborah Garneau, MA – Region I Director (2022-2025)

As part of our Voices of AMCHP series, designed to highlight our dedicated Board members and their work, we invited Deborah to share some insights on her background, journey serving on AMCHP’s Board of Directors, and her advice to foster good partnerships that share and build power and amplify the voices of the people we serve.

What motivated you to join AMCHP’s Board of Directors?

I wanted to take the next step in leadership of maternal and child health (MCH), and the AMCHP Board is the collective of MCH thought leaders on a regional and national level.

How do your background and experience contribute to your role as a Regional Director of AMCHP’s Board of Directors?

I have worked in MCH for over 35 years, first as a behavioral health clinician and then as a state public health policy professional. I work in the children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) space specifically and MCH more broadly. I have a broad range of experiences and positions in MCH at the state and regional level. It is important to have experienced voices represented on the Board of Directors.

Read the full interview.

AMCHP Events & Webinars

Upcoming Pathways to Sustainability Webinar: The State of Development and Fundraising / Co-Designing Initiatives with and for Families

AMCHP is delighted to invite you to our Pathways to Sustainability Webinar Series, or “Pathways.” A multi-year investment, organized by Merck for Mothers with a co-funding circle of philanthropic partners, supported twenty city-based, community-led and community-centered organizations to implement solutions to address the racial inequities in maternal health that this country is facing. [read more]

Register for the final session of the second part of this series: Thursday, February 8, from 3-4pm ET

The first presentation is from Marna Armstead of SisterWeb (San Francisco, CA). SisterWeb is working on increasing Black and Latinx women’s access to culturally-, racially- and ethnically-aligned doula care by providing health advocacy, wellness interventions, and mental health services before, during, and after birth. In her presentation, Marna will discuss the outcomes of utilizing development support and of SisterWeb’s fundraising event.

The second presentation will be from Sevonna Brown of Black Women’s Blueprint (based in Brooklyn, NY). Black Women’s Blueprint has the capacity to consistently strengthen Brooklyn communities through this proposed project that focuses on primary maternity care models, defending the rights of women and girls, ensuring bodily safety, and manifesting the vision of a community. Sevonna will be presenting the outcomes of a co-design space for radical imagination and thoughtful implementation and evaluation through a coalition-building strategic initiative.

Join AMCHP’s Global Health Workgroup for Our First Webinar of the Year

Join AMCHP’s Global Health Workgroup to learn about digital and technological innovation and incorporation across the maternal and child health (MCH) field abroad, and its connection to domestic MCH work.

Guest presenters will share their experiences in integrating digital and technological innovation for MCH populations in low- and middle-income countries, followed by a Q&A.

Special guests:

Smisha Agarwal PhD, Associate Professor of International Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Ana Mariana, MD MMSc-GHD, FRSPH, Lecturer in Global Health and Social Medicine at Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani, Bandung, Indonesia

Part 2: Virtual Learning Café Series on Pediatric Mental Health

Graphic alerting of Part 2 of the Virtual Learning Cafe Series on Pediatric Mental Health. February 12 and March from 12-1pm ET. Join AMCHP and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to continue the important conversations around Pediatric Mental Health! Our virtual learning cafés will be an interactive discussion focused on how to build the diverse partnerships needed to close gaps in children’s mental health care across the country, with a specific focus on Pediatric Mental Health Care Access programs.

February 14, from 12-1pm ET: Registration link

March 15, from 12 –1pm ET: Registration link

Announcing the Launch of 2024 Innovation Hub Learning Community Webinars

The Innovation Hub Learning Community (IHLC) offers programmatic support to all practices in the MCH Innovations Database through one-on-one tailored coaching, didactic webinars, and peer sharing opportunities. The IHLC aims to: 

Provide a responsive and proactive network of programmatic support for all participants; 
Facilitate spaces for peer-sharing in which participants can co-create solutions and share programmatic successes and challenges; 
Offer learning opportunities that boost participant confidence applying evaluation and implementation principles and tools; and 
Encourage and support Innovation Hub practices to resubmit their work to the MCH Innovations Database and move up the Practice Continuum.

This year, AMCHP is hosting four webinars on topics related to programmatic best practices that all MCH professionals and advocates are welcome to attend. Check out an overview of what’s to come below and register for any sessions! 

March 14, from 3-4pm ET – Who’s at Your Table? Power Sharing and Asset Framing  – The first session will explore 1) how power dynamics play a role in building partnerships and 2) strategies that foster a mindset shift towards asset framing.  Registration link.

May 30, from 3-4pm ET – Stop Building the Plane as We Fly It: Being Intentional with Strategic Planning – How can we stop changing the tire while the car is still moving? The second session will provide methods to strengthen your strategic foundation and clearly define the key aspects of your work using key performance indicators (KPIs) and theory of change.  Registration link.

August 29, from 3-4pm ET – “Say More About That”: Qualitative Research and Interviewing Considerations – The third session will explore ways qualitative interviewing can add a dimension to your evaluation practices, and how to incorporate it into your evaluation plans.  Registration link.

November 21, from 3-4pm ET – To be Announced (TBA) Based on Participant Feedback – The fourth session topic will be chosen by you! We would love to hear your feedback about what topic areas you would like to learn more about. Share them in this brief survey. The IHLC workgroup will then use this to create November’s session. Registration link.

Email our Evidence & Implementation Team (evidence@amchp.org) for any questions or support.

AMCHP Information & Resources

AMCHP Celebrates Black History Month & Beyond: Submit Your Content

February is Black History Month! Thank you so much to everyone who contributed resources, articles, and knowledge to AMCHP’s Black History Month & Beyond blog post.

Last year, we committed to sharing Black history beyond just the month of February across our social media platforms. This year, we want to keep the momentum going by celebrating all the content our audiences have shared with us, and encourage you to keep the submissions coming as we will continue to share content all year long!

Revisit our blog post, and submit Black history content related to maternal and child health today!

Legislation & Policy

Explore our revamped Maternal & Child Health Bill Tracker for more information about pending federal legislation to improve maternal health. Also, download AMCHP’s 2023 Federal Policy Agenda outlining where we have focused our advocacy work.

AMCHP Policy and Partnerships Town Halls

Thank you to those of you who joined us for AMCHP Policy and Partnerships Town Halls in 2023. You can find the full recordings of past Town Halls on our Government Affairs webpage.

Town Halls occur on the second Thursday of every month from 2-3pm ET. We invite you to register for all future Town Halls, including our next meeting on February 8, at this registration link.

Join our upcoming session to hear updates on congressional funding and noteworthy Supreme Court cases from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau within the Health Resources & Services Administration and from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on their “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. Additionally, the National WIC Association will provide an update on WIC’s funding situation and share ways you can support through advocacy.

AMCHP and the National Healthy Start Association Lead Congressional Letter to Support Funding for HRSA’s Healthy Start Program 

Over 100 federally funded Healthy Start projects nationwide play a critical role in combatting infant mortality by implementing community-driven strategies. AMCHP is concerned about the proposed elimination of Healthy Start funding in the House of Representative’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) funding bill. On January 18, AMCHP and the National Healthy Start Association led over 60 national organizations in a letter to Congressional leadership, urging the restoration of Healthy Start funding in FY24. The letter emphasizes how Healthy Start is a critical component in our national effort to combat infant mortality that complements, but is distinct from, the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program. Please email Amani Echols (aechols@amchp.org) to share your Healthy Start program successes and their positive impact on MCH populations. AMCHP will continue to uplift your stories when advocating for robust Title V funding. 

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. 

Career Opportunities at AMCHP

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.

Communications Intern: AMCHP is recruiting a communications intern to join us from February – April 2024 to support our communications efforts to promote the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference. The Communications Intern will report to the Senior Communications Manager and will be an integral part of the Communications team, working on marketing campaigns and implementing communications strategies for a reputable non-profit organization in the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) field. [Learn more and apply]
Reproductive and Maternal Health – Communications Intern: AMCHP is seeking a Reproductive and Maternal Health Communications Intern for Spring 2024. The role involves promoting maternal and child health programs by highlighting innovative, evidence-based practices and policies that promote racial equity in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. The intern will assist in communication and dissemination tasks within a collaborative network of community, state, and national experts focused on improving equity in maternal and infant health. This position reports to the Program Manager of Reproductive and Maternal Health. [Learn more and apply]

Deadline Approaching: Submit 2024 Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP) Student/Host Site Applications by February 21!

AMCHP is still accepting Summer 2024 Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP)  student and host site applications. The student and host site application period is open until February 21 at 11:59pm ET.

This Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Epidemiology leadership program is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and administered by AMCHP. Learn more about GSEP, student and host site eligibility, expectations, and benefits on our webpage.

A few notable 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.

Students and hosts sites are welcome to apply by February 21. For questions, please contact Mikayla Frye (mfrye@amchp.org). 

Request for Information (RFI) on Severe Maternal Morbidity Measurement

The Agency for Healthcare, Research, and Quality (AHRQ) Quality Indicators Program released a Request for Information (RFI) in the Federal Register, entitled, “Inpatient Severe Maternal Morbidity Measure Technical Specifications.” The RFI seeks comments on the usability, feasibility, and likely uptake of a measure of severe maternal morbidity to be validated, refined, and maintained by the AHRQ Quality Indicators program, with the goal of providing state/local data for maternal health service improvements. AHRQ is particularly interested in hearing from health departments (i.e., state, regional, local), researchers, maternal health advocates, providers/health systems, and payers. The comment period ends March 4.

Partner Events & Webinars

Alaska Maternal Child Health & Immunization Conference Registration Is Open

The 2024 Alaska Maternal Child Health & Immunization (MCHI) Conference is taking place from March 19-21 in Anchorage, Alaska with virtual registration available as well. The MCHI Conference brings rural and urban health professionals together to learn about best practices and tools for the prevention of key and emerging MCH and family health issues. The 2024 conference will be a hybrid event with in-person plenary presentations from national and Alaska experts and opportunities to network with colleagues and visit exhibitors on the first day. Days 2 and 3 will be online only with a variety of great sessions.

The Alaska MCHI conference is an example of a Title V and tribal health partnership as it is a collaboration between the Alaska Division of Public Health and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s Alaska Native Tribal Epidemiology Center. Learn more about the conference and how to register.

Publications & Resources

HHS Announces Department Actions to Slow Surging Syphilis Epidemic

U.S. syphilis cases reach highest levels since the 1950s, creating a critical public health need.

In response to the surging number of syphilis and congenital syphilis cases nationwide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is taking action to slow the spread with a focus on those most significantly impacted. Through the establishment of the National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic (NSCSS) Federal Task Force, the Department is utilizing its agencies, its expertise, and its stakeholder network to respond to the U.S. syphilis and congenital syphilis epidemic. The actions of the Task Force leverage federal resources to reduce rates, promote health equity, engage impacted communities and direct resources to support those most impacted.

“The syphilis crisis in our country is unacceptable. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing this urgent issue and using all available means to eliminate disparities in our health care system,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “These actions we are taking will help ensure we are improving outcomes for birthing parents and newborns. We must prevent more deaths caused by congenital syphilis, an entirely preventable disease.” [read more]

2022 NSCH Data Sets and Codebooks + More Point-and-Click Data Available Now!

Want to do your own analysis with the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data? Now you can with fully coded datasets and accompanying codebooks (in SPSS, SAS, or Stata) — all for free from the Data Research Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DRC) website. Work with hundreds of measures including all NPMs and NOMs available in the NSCH to do your own analyses.

Be on the lookout for the combined 2021-2022 NSCH dataset in early spring 2024. Combined datasets allow for better estimates of less common services and conditions. Combined data will also be available on the DRC website soon.

Additionally, NPMs and NOMs derived from the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health have been available on the DRC website since October. Now hundreds of additional child and family health measures are also available!

The NSCH is a national survey, funded and directed by the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau (HRSA MCHB), that provides rich data on multiple, intersecting aspects of children’s health and well-being – including physical and mental health, access to and quality of health care, and the child’s family, neighborhood, school, and social context. Request NSCH datasets in SAS, Stata, and SPSS formats with accompanying codebooks on the DRC website.

The DRC is brought to you by the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI). For more information, take a short video tour or contact the CAHMI-DRC team through the Ask Us a Question page.