December 11, 2025

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December 11, 2025

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AMCHP Announcements

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Nominations for 2026 AMCHP Annual Awards Close January 9

AMCHP is accepting nominations for the 2026 AMCHP Annual Awards until January 9! The awards will be presented at the AMCHP Annual Conference, held in person only from March 7-10, 2026, in Washington, DC.  

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. All award winners are invited to accept their award at the conference. Limited travel support is available for some awards. 

Award Categories:

John C. MacQueen Lecture Award: For innovation in the field of maternal and child health. Candidates must be able to record the lecture for distribution during the AMCHP Annual Conference in March 2026. 
Community Partnership Award: For exemplary collaborations between Title V entities and community-based organizations. This award uplifts the importance of sustainable and outcome-focused partnerships in promoting the dignity and overall well-being of communities.
Emerging MCH Professional Award: For outstanding state MCH professionals under age 45 or with less than 10 years of experience whose work has made substantial contributions to their state’s MCH program, their state’s MCH outcomes, or made other significant contributions to promoting and protecting the health of women, children, and families in their state or jurisdiction. 
Excellence in State MCH Leadership Award: For an outstanding state MCH professional whose career has made significant contributions to the health of women, children, and families in their state or jurisdiction. 
Merle McPherson Family Leadership Award: For exemplary contributions to further family/professional collaboration within a state or jurisdictional Title V Program and AMCHP. 
Ryan Colburn Scholarship Award: For a young adult who identifies as having complex health care needs or disabilities to attend the AMCHP Annual Conference, grow as a leader in MCH, and continue to honor Ryan’s legacy.
Vince Hutchins Leadership Award: For leadership in promoting a society responsive to the needs of women, children, youth, and families.

Interested in nominating someone?

Watch the recording of our previous call for nominations webinar to learn more about the nomination process from AMCHP Staff and Board leadership. You can also visit our webpage to view past winners from 2025 for inspiration. 

Ready to nominate?

If you would like to get started, please fill out this online nomination form and submit it along with all nomination materials by January 9, 2026.

AMCHP Annual Conference

The AMCHP Annual Conference is one of the largest gatherings of maternal and child health (MCH) professionals in the United States. Every year, our conference aims to highlight MCH programs’ impact at all levels on women, children, and families and to provide participants with tools and resources to develop, enhance, and sustain vital MCH programs and services.

Subscribe to our Annual Conference Newsletter to be among the first to receive updates and information about our 2026 conference in Washington, DC.

Early Bird Registration for AMCHP 2026 is Open Through January 9

Early bird registration for the 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference is open through January 9!

Take advantage of our early bird pricing to attend one of the largest gatherings of maternal and child health professionals in the country. AMCHP 2026 will take place in person from March 7 – 10, 2026, at The Westin, Washington DC Downtown, in Washington, DC.

Why join us in Washington, DC, for AMCHP 2026?

Learn firsthand about changes occurring in the maternal and child health (MCH) field.
Participate in discussions about building stronger systems of care for all, building and strengthening partnerships and collaborations, and practicing effective family and youth engagement.
Exchange best practices and resources with other MCH professionals.
Participate in workshops, roundtables, and digital posters featuring a mix of topics and content.
Be part of timely-themed live plenary sessions led by association leadership.
Participate in discussions and small-group networking in live groups with speakers, AMCHP staff, and fellow attendees.

Don’t miss out on our early bird rates! Register by January 9, 2026, and complete your payment later to secure your spot at the best price.

New This Year: Monuments by the Moonlight Tour

Attending AMCHP 2026? Join us for the Monuments by Moonlight Tour, a city experience exclusively available for participants of the 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference, conducted by Old Town Trolley Tours in Washington, DC.

Date: Saturday, March 7
Start time: 6:15 PM ET
End time: 9:15 PM ET
Pick-up location: The Westin Washington DC Downtown (the conference hotel)
Ticket price: $45 per person

Get ready to be transported back in time, as you ride along the same streets presidents have traveled, and hear historical tales and anecdotes about the city’s fascinating history, such as The Curse of the Hope Diamond and its legacy of death and despair, and the Medal of Honor winner who donated his amputated leg to a museum and often visited it!

Tour stops include the Iwo Jima Marine Corps, FDR, Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, Korean War, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials.

Save your spot, as space is limited with 43 regular seats and 2 wheelchair accessible seats.

Buy your ticket now through the registration portal!

The AMCHP 2026 Local Marketplace: An Opportunity for Small Businesses and Artists in the DMV Area

The 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference will once again feature our local marketplace – an outstanding opportunity for small businesses and artists in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) local area interested in showcasing their real DMV culture products to over 1,000 individuals attending our conference from nearly every state, jurisdiction, and territory in the U.S.

Our marketplace is open to small businesses and artists offering handmade goods (please note that food cannot be sold) in the DMV area. It will provide a dedicated, high-traffic, and highly visible space within the conference venue for vendors to sell their products on a 6-foot table provided by our conference (2 chairs are also included).

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to do some local spring shopping right at the event venue while supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in the DMV area like you!

Interested in being one of the businesses or artists spotlighted at the AMCHP 2026 local marketplace? Complete the vendor interest form. Once your participation has been confirmed, you will receive the link to register, which includes a $100 market fee.

Community Service Opportunity at AMCHP 2026

AMCHP is once again partnering with The Community of Hope (CoH) – a dedicated health and wellness organization that provides vital resources to individuals and families affected by housing insecurity throughout Washington, DC.

For this initiative, a community service opportunity is open for conference participants to assist with a spring clean-up project on Friday, March 6, from 2 – 4 PM ET, in front of The Triumph at 4225 6th Street SE, where up to 50 families live as they overcome homelessness.

Save your spot on the conference platform to help us beautify the area by picking up litter and providing these families with an environment free of trash where they can live and play!

AMCHP Information & Resources

New Blog Post! Not Alone in Their Journey: Caregivers of Children with Sickle Cell Disease

In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, former AMCHP intern Z’Leah Liburd spoke with three caregivers who shared what life is truly like raising and supporting children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Dr. Tobi Adeyeye Amosun, Hermionne Johnson, and Tamara James offered thoughtful reflections on the daily realities of caregiving, from managing unpredictable symptoms to working with schools and navigating health systems.

Their stories highlight both the challenges and the deep sense of purpose that come with caring for a child with SCD. Together, they remind us that while the journey may be difficult, no caregiver has to walk it alone.

Read the full blog post.

Legislation & Policy

Explore our Maternal & Child Health Bill Tracker for more information about pending federal legislation to improve maternal health. Additionally, download AMCHP’s Federal Policy Agenda, which outlines our current advocacy focus.

Subscribe to AMCHP’s Policy Alerts and Digest to stay up to date with the latest policy information.

MCHAA Launches the 2025 Maternal & Child Health Funding Week of Action Social Media Toolkit

The Maternal & Child Health Appropriations Alliance (MCHAA), a coalition of organizations committed to advancing strong and sustained federal investment in maternal and child health, has released the 2025 Maternal & Child Health Funding Week of Action Social Media Toolkit. This resource provides partners with sample captions, data highlights, and shareable graphics to support coordinated messaging during the Week of Action on December 8–12, 2025.

The toolkit underscores the importance of robust federal funding for the full range of MCH programs across the Department of Health and Human Services. Partners are encouraged to use these materials to amplify the need for comprehensive, reliable investments that strengthen the national MCH ecosystem and support the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families.

Access the toolkit.

Policy Alert: Congress Passes Legislation Ending the Longest Government Shutdown in U.S. History

On November 12, Congress passed, and President Trump signed, a legislative package to fully reopen the federal government, ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The legislation includes a “minibus” of three full-year Fiscal Year (2026) appropriation bills that funds the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Congress through Sept. 30, 2026. It also maintains funding for all other federal agencies and programs at FY 2024 levels (per the FY 2025 continuing resolution) through Jan. 30, 2026.

While this legislative package brings relief following weeks of uncertainty, it does not provide a resolution on key FY 2026 funding decisions or the threat of long-term funding cuts that could have sweeping consequences for maternal and child health populations, programs, and providers.

Read the full Policy Alert.

AMCHP Policy and Partnerships Town Halls

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

Please register to join us for our last edition of the year TODAY, December 11, from 2-3 PM ET at this registration link.

Opportunities & Funding

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.

Intern, Policy Team: AMCHP is recruiting a policy team intern for the Spring of 2026. This is a paid part-time position that requires a minimum of 15 hours per week. AMCHP’s internship program is open to currently enrolled students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Individuals who have recently graduated are also eligible. Candidates with experience in Congressional affairs is preferred. Our program is also designed to allow interns to gain practical work experience; provide opportunities for interns to explore their strengths and interests more fully; and provide AMCHP an opportunity to become involved in the preparation of future public health professionals. [Learn more and apply]

Apply Today! Join CMMP State Technical Assistance Cohort to Improve MCH Outcomes in Your State or Territory

The Center for Maternal and Child Health Medicaid Partnerships (CMMP) project, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is now accepting applications from states and territories for the next State Technical Assistance Cohort (STAC). This cohort will kick off on April 1, 2026.

Project Overview: The purpose of this project is to bring state and territory Medicaid, Title V, and CHIP programs together to accelerate improvements in outcomes for maternal and child health populations. The CMMP STAC, comprised of up to seven states and territories, will provide extensive individualized TA and peer learning opportunities between members of each cohort to advance maternal and child health programs and pursue individual state and territory-level goals for a full year. Each STAC will focus on three key areas for state and territory Medicaid/CHIP and Title V coordination: identifying innovative financing and funding strategies; strengthening inter-agency agreements; and enhancing collaboration and partnerships with individuals impacted by maternal and child health initiatives. Participating states and territories will have opportunities to stay engaged with each other and future cohorts to continue to advance their goals.

How to Apply: To apply, please complete the 2026 CMMP State Technical Assistance Cohort Application. Please note that only one application per state or territory will be reviewed.

Application Deadline: January 30, 2026

Notice of Decision by: March 18, 2026

Free Resource for Job Seekers – The AMCHP Career Center: Connecting Talent with Opportunity

AMCHP offers access to top job opportunities in our industry. Job seekers can access the AMCHP Career Center to search and apply for open positions at no cost, while employers can post their jobs for a fee! Search for Jobs | Post a Job.

Do you know someone who is looking for a new job or opportunity? Share the AMCHP Career Center with them!