April 9, 2026

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April 9, 2026

AMCHP Announcements

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Share Your Perspective on SET-NET Engagement

AMCHP is highlighting creative and impactful Title V engagement in the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-NET) initiative. As part of this work, we are gathering input from our members to better understand how jurisdictions are engaging with SET-NET – and where additional collaboration or technical assistance may be helpful.

Whether you are part of a SET-NET team or simply interested in strengthening perinatal and infant surveillance efforts, your insights will help shape future peer learning opportunities, resource development, and technical assistance priorities.

The survey takes approximately 3–5 minutes, and responses are anonymous.

Complete the survey: SET-NET and Title V MCH Engagement Survey

Applications for AMCHP’s MCH Policy I2A Learning Collaborative Open Through April 30

AMCHP is now accepting applications for the Maternal & Child Health Policy Innovation Program (MCH PIP) I2A Learning Collaborative (I2A LC), a 15-month, action-focused experience designed to help Title V teams turn housing and food security priorities into meaningful policy progress for MCH populations. Cohort runs July 1, 2026 – September 29, 2027. Application deadline: April 30

This opportunity is ideal for Title V teams that:

Have a clear housing and/or food security priority aligned with their 2025 needs assessment.
Have a specific policy direction in mind. For example, not simply “food security” or “housing stability,” but a more defined approach, such as expanding adjunctive eligibility between SNAP and WIC; increasing the priority status of MCH populations on public housing wait lists; strengthening workplace lactation protections, etc.
Are ready to focus their efforts and move from policy ideation to concrete next steps.
Want structured support to advance a policy initiative in their state context.

During the first phase of the I2A LC, teams will examine how housing and food systems currently operate within their defined policy direction, identify practical leverage points where change is possible, and determine a specific policy action to pursue. The remainder of the collaborative is dedicated to advancing that policy toward implementation.

Selected teams will gain:

A national peer network of Title V leaders tackling similar challenges.
Dedicated coaching from AMCHP staff.
Access to targeted technical assistance from a network of policy and subject matter experts.
Sponsored attendance at an in-person convening with protected time to focus on strategy and work directly with AMCHP staff to navigate complex challenges.

Apply by April 30!

Questions? Reach out to Anna Corona Romero at acorona@amchp.org.

AMCHP Announced 2026 Board of Directors Election Results

On Wednesday, March 25, AMCHP announced that our membership has elected a new slate of officers to serve on the AMCHP Board of Directors. The election results were presented during the Annual Business Meeting, which took place on Tuesday, March 10, in conjunction with the 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

Re-elections and new appointments to the AMCHP Board include Marcus Johnson-Miller (President-Elect, 2026 – 2027), Katie Eilers (Treasurer, 2026 – 2028), Linda Hampton Starnes (Secretary, 2026 – 2028), Nancy Scotto Rosato (Region II Director, 2026 – 2029), Malerie Hartsell (Interim Region IV Director, 2026 – 2027), Elizabeth Taylor-Schiro/Biidabinikwe (Region V Director, 2026 – 2029), Amy Zapata (Interim Region VI Director, 2026 – 2028), and Martha Smith (Region VII Director, 2026 – 2029). With these changes, the AMCHP Board of Directors now comprises seventeen members.

“Congratulations to these officers on their appointments to serve on the AMCHP Board of Directors,” said Jacqueline Johnson, President of the AMCHP Board. “As I reflect on my personal and professional journey, I can’t help but feel overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to share this space with such remarkable leaders so that we can serve and speak for those who don’t have a voice or the opportunity to share it. I am excited for our opportunity not only to honor our predecessors in these roles, but also to bring something AMCHP and its membership have not experienced before.”

Read the full news release.

AMCHP Annual Conference

Thank you to the more than 1,000 maternal and child health (MCH) leaders and thinkers who joined us in Washington, DC, from March 7-10 for our 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference!

Subscribe to our Annual Conference Newsletter to be among the first to receive updates and information about our 2027 conference in Washington, DC.

AMCHP Announced 2026 Awards Winners

On Saturday, March 7, AMCHP celebrated the winners of its 2026 AMCHP Annual Awards. The awards recognize MCH leaders for their outstanding contributions to the field and were presented at the 2026 AMCHP Annual Conference, held March 7-10 in Washington, DC.

Congratulations to all the winners! View the full press release, and check out our award ceremony video recap.

For more information about this year’s awardees, please visit our webpage.

Save the Date for AMCHP 2027

Save the date to attend the 2027 AMCHP Annual Conference from March 6 – 9, 2027, in Washington, DC. Interested in getting all the details once they become available? Subscribe to our conference newsletter so you don’t miss out!

AMCHP 2026 Post-Conference Evaluation Survey

If you attended AMCHP 2026, please check your inbox for a direct email containing a post-conference evaluation link from Qualtrics. This evaluation is extremely important for AMCHP to ensure your feedback is considered when planning the next conference experience.

Please fill out the survey to the best of your ability, as your valuable input will help our conference planning committee serve you better.

Did you not receive the survey in your inbox?

Please check your spam or junk folder. If you still don’t see it, please email us at epieval@amchp.org to request a copy of the evaluation link.

Revisit AMCHP 2026

Registered participants of AMCHP 2026 will have access to all conference content and presentations for one year. Simply log in to the conference app or platform using your access key to continue enjoying inspiring talks from this year’s outstanding speakers and presenters at your convenience.

Additionally, you can visit our conference page to review some significant milestones from AMCHP 2026.

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.

Policy Alert: White House Releases FY27 President’s Budget Request

On April 3, the Administration released several documents as part of the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) President’s Budget Request, which outlines the Administration’s funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. As a reminder, these documents are non-binding, and Congress has the authority to approve, reject, or modify the Administration’s budget recommendations.

The budget documents request $111.1 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a $15.8 billion decrease from enacted FY26 levels. Similar to the FY26 request, the documents propose to move the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH), and select programs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) into a newly forming Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Further, the budget calls for a $51.5 million cut to Title V’s SPRANS Program and several eliminations of critical MCH programs, including Healthy Start.

Read our 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 next edition, TODAY, April 9, from 2-3 PM ET at this registration link.

Opportunities & Funding

Learn How to Build Stronger, More Aligned Collaborations That Advance Your Title V Priorities

The National MCH Workforce Development Center invites Title V programs to apply for an upcoming Skills Institute to be held on August 4-6 in Tempe, Arizona.

Learn how to:

Intentionally build or strengthen partnerships to advance your state’s Title V Action Plan.
Make strategic decisions about partnerships based on your Title V program’s capacity.
Identify the information, resources, and supports your partners need from you to be successful.
Provide clear expectations and accountability for partners.
Measure the effectiveness and impact of your partnerships.

The National MCH Workforce Development Center will be hosting an online Information Session Friday, April 17 at 3-4 PM ET to answer your questions. Register for the Information Session!

Applying teams may include 3-5 individuals. Teams must be led by Title V MCH and/or CYSHCN staff (at least 50% of your team), but might also include partners from local health departments, community-based organizations, family advocacy groups, and academia, and/or family leaders or individuals with relevant personal experience.

To help teams bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, each team is encouraged to identify a “partnership opportunity” to focus on.

There is no cost to attend. Travel and lodging expenses will be covered.

Applications are due Friday, May 1. Questions? Contact Rebecca Greenleaf at rebecca_greenleaf@unc.edu.

Learn more and apply!

Medicaid Food Security Partners Program: Request for Proposals Due April 17

Share Our Strength and HealthBegins are launching the third cohort of grant funding for the Medicaid Food Security Partners Program. Share Our Strength will be funding four state-based organizations or coalitions to pursue the creation or implementation of state Medicaid regulatory or administrative changes that promote promising food and nutrition security policy initiative(s), with a special focus on strategies that promote SNAP and WIC enrollment among children and families.

Grantees will receive $100,000 for an 18-month period as well as full cohort learning opportunities and individualized technical assistance. Please note: this funding is not intended for direct service/direct food provision or benefit application assistance. Preference will be given to candidates with the necessary relationships, strategy, and positioning to reasonably achieve success.

The Medicaid Food Security Partners Program is an initiative of the National Medicaid Food Security Network.

Application Deadline: April 17 at 11:59 PM ET/8:59 PM PT.

Read the full RFP and submit your application.

2026-2028 Life Course Translational Research Scholars Program Applications Open Through April 30

The Life Course Translational Research Network is recruiting for the 2026-2028 Life Course Translational Research Scholars Program. 

This program offered through the HRSA-MCHB-funded Life Course Translational Research Network (LCT-RN), led by Neal Halfon, MD, MPH, is aimed at early and mid-career researchers (post-docs, clinical scholars, junior faculty) across disciplines (e.g., medicine, public health, sociology, social work, psychology) with a focus on maternal and child health from a life course health development perspective. This career enhancement program will also be useful for more established researchers who wish to transition to life course translational research.  

LCT-RN Scholars will have an interest in translating life course principles into practice, with a view to an independent research career and/or integration of the life course approach into their existing research portfolio.  

The program is fully virtual and will be delivered over Zoom with participants from any US states and territories.

Learn more and apply by April 30.

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!

Publications & Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics Congenital Syphilis Resources for STI Awareness Month

In recognition of STI Awareness Month this April, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is highlighting its comprehensive resources on congenital syphilis. These materials provide clinicians and families with evidence-based guidance, interactive tools, and educational content to support early detection, timely treatment, and informed discussions about congenital syphilis. Access these resources to enhance prevention and care efforts. Explore these resources.