October 8, 2026

AMCHP Announcements  

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In Case You Missed It  

AMCHP Annual Conference 

Banner promoting AMCHP 2027 conference. Theme: Recharge, Reimagine, Rise

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 the 2027 AMCHP Annual Conference (AMCHP 2027) in Washington, DC.       

Early Bird Registration is Open  

Graphic alerting that Early Bird Registration for the 2027 AMCHP Annual Conference is open through January 16, 2027. Register at bit.ly/AMCHP2027_REG

Early bird registration for AMCHP 2027 is open!   

AMCHP 2027, one of the largest gatherings of MCH professionals in the U.S., will take place in person from March 6 – 9, 2027, at The Westin Washington DC Downtown, in Washington, DC.   

Don’t miss out on our early bird rates! Register by January 16, 2027, to take advantage of our early bird pricing. You can register now and complete your payment later to secure your spot. 

Add Skills-Building Sessions Day to your Conference Experience

Skills-Building Sessions Day is offered for $75 for the whole day, giving you the option to attend one or two sessions (morning and afternoon). They can be selected by checking the box for “Skills Builders Registration” on the Additional Options page of conference registration.  

Skills-building sessions focus on critical gaps in knowledge and skills identified by AMCHP members and Conference participants in 2026. Based on this input, this year’s skills-building sessions emphasize systems, partnerships, data and evaluation, storytelling, and a strong policy focus. 

Exhibit & Sponsorship Opportunities  

Exhibiting at the AMCHP Conference is a great opportunity to showcase your products, services, and solutions to professionals dedicated to improving the health of women, children, families, and communities nationwide. AMCHP 20207 makes participation simple and cost-effective in a convenient location at the conference, ensuring maximum attendee exposure and engagement, as well as dedicated activities that provide further exposure to participants.  

Looking to amplify your presence even further? AMCHP 2027 offers sponsorship opportunities focused on giving your brand visibility and strengthening awareness of your products and services to create a lasting impression with conference participants. With a variety of sponsorships available, you can select the option that best aligns with your marketing goals and budget.  

Reserve your space by December 9 to take advantage of early bird pricing and secure the best available tabletop exhibit location.  

Explore exhibit rates and sponsorship opportunities in the 2027 Prospectus and position your organization at the forefront of maternal and child health.  

For more information about exhibiting and sponsoring, please contact Alison Bashian at AMCHPexhibits@conferencemanagers.com.  

More About the AMCHP Annual Conference 

Visit our Annual Conference page on the AMCHP website to learn about: 

  • This year’s theme, “Recharge, Reimagine, and Rise” 
  • Visit the AMCHP 2027 Shop 
  • Hear from past participants about their conference experience in 2026 

AMCHP Events & Webinars 

AMCHP Webinar November 12: Building Sustainability through Program Adaptation and Contextual Fit   

Sustaining Perinatal Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Programs Webinar Series final session: Building Sustainability through Program Adaptation and Contextual Fit

Interested in sustaining your work but unsure where to start? Join AMCHP for the final session of our webinar series, “Sustaining Programming to Address Perinatal Substance Use Disorder (SUD).”  

This 3-part webinar series is designed to provide participants with a strong grounding in sustainability tools and concepts. The aim of the series is for participants to assess the strengths of their own program(s) and identify opportunities for growth as they learn about the different domains of sustainability, including:  

  • Continuous quality improvement and organizational capacity building 
  • Fiscal stability 
  • Adaptation and contextual fit 

Webinar #3 – Building Sustainability through Program Adaptation and Contextual Fit   

Register to join AMCHP and our partners from the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health (NCDVTMH) on November 12, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET for an interactive workshop on strategies, tools, and resources to support long-term program sustainability in the perinatal SUD space. As the final session in our 3-part series, this session will focus on program adaptation and contextual fit, exploring how adapting programs to meet the needs of different populations, settings, and contexts can support long-term sustainability and impact. 

What to Expect  

Participants should:  

  • Be prepared to engage!  
  • Come with a particular perinatal SUD program or initiative in mind  

Participants will:  

  • Learn about sustainability tools and resources to apply to their program. 
  • Hear real-world insights and lessons learned on sustaining perinatal SUD initiatives. 
  • Spend dedicated time in breakout groups with presenters. 
  • Explore strategies for adapting programs to fit the needs of their communities and contexts, contributing to long-term sustainability. 

Learn more and register.      

AMCHP Information & Resources  

New Resource: Explore AMCHP’s Perinatal Substance Use Collaboration & Policy Action Map 

Graphic promoting new AMCHP resource: Perinatal Substance Use Collaboration & Policy Action Map. Learn more: bit.ly/PSUD-ActionMap 

Perinatal substance use does not happen in isolation. People’s experiences are shaped by the systems, policies, communities, and social conditions around them. Creating supportive, family-centered systems requires collaboration across sectors and policies that can improve outcomes for families.  

As part of AMCHP’s Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Implementation & Policy Hub Initiative, we are pleased to introduce the Perinatal Substance Use Collaboration & Policy Action Map, developed with support from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) and Perigee Fund.

This new interactive resource helps individuals and organizations visualize the larger perinatal substance use system, identify opportunities for collaboration, and advance evidence-based policies. Families and their experiences are at the center of the map, reflecting the importance of family-centered approaches to strengthening perinatal substance use systems.

The Action Map is designed for anyone working to improve supports, services, and outcomes for families impacted by perinatal substance use, including Title V and maternal and child health (MCH) workforce, public health professionals, policymakers, social services, Medicaid and payers, researchers, community partners, and families. 

The Action Map is accompanied by resources to help you explore and apply its recommendations, including:  

Want to learn more? Join AMCHP on Wednesday, October 21, from 1–2 PM ET for a special launch webinar. We will orient participants to the Action Map and companion resources, share how the map was developed, and answer questions. During the webinar, we will also release a promotional toolkit that you can use to help spread the word about the Action Map. Register for the Launch Webinar.  

You can also register for our upcoming Policy and Partnerships Town Hall on October 8, from 2–3 PM ET to learn more about the Action Map.  

Explore the Perinatal Substance Use Collaboration & Policy Action Map today! Start with what feels most relevant and feasible in your setting, and share the resource with colleagues and partners working to strengthen systems that support families affected by perinatal substance use. 

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.             

ICYMI! Policy Alert: Nearly 360 Organizations Join AMCHP and the National Healthy Start Association in Support of Healthy Start 

Graphic promoting AMCHP Policy Alert: bit.ly/PA-092526 

AMCHP continues to unite with partners to champion critical federal investments that strengthen maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. On September 15, AMCHP co-led an organizational sign-on letter with the National Healthy Start Association urging Congress to provide no less than $145.25 million for Healthy Start in FY27. Signed by nearly 360 organizations, the letter highlights Healthy Start’s role in supporting families during pregnancy, postpartum, and infancy and emphasizes that Healthy Start and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program serve distinct, complementary roles.   

AMCHP will continue to advocate for robust funding for Healthy Start and other vital MCH programs throughout the FY27 appropriations process and beyond. Read the full Policy Alert. 

AMCHP Policy and Partnerships Town Halls   

Graphic promoting AMCHP Policy and Partnerships Town Hall Series on October 8 from 2-3 PM ET. Register: bit.ly/AMCHP-PPTH26 

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, October 8, from 2-3 PM ET at this registration link. We will share an introduction to our new Perinatal Substance Use Collaboration & Policy Action Map and highlight the resource and its potential applications. 

Opportunities & Funding           

Deadline Approaching: Invitation for Home Visiting Model Developers to Express Interest in Having Their Model Reviewed by HomVEE and Reported on the HomVEE Website 

The Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) review invites developers of early childhood home visiting models to express interest in having their model reviewed and reported on the HomVEE website. The deadline for expressing interest is October 15. 

HomVEE conducts a thorough and transparent review of the home visiting research literature and provides an assessment of the evidence of effectiveness for early childhood home visiting models that serve families with pregnant women and families with children from birth through age 5. Information about reviewed models and their evidence of effectiveness is published on the HomVEE website. The website helps Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program awardees find and choose home visiting models they can use with MIECHV funding. The MIECHV Program, which is run by the Health Resources and Services Administration in partnership with the Administration for Children and Families, provides funding for voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services. Having your model reviewed by HomVEE could make it eligible for use with MIECHV funds if HomVEE determines that it meets the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) criteria for an evidence-based early childhood home visiting model (“HHS criteria”). 

Interested in this opportunity? Learn about the eligibility criteria and the process for expressing interest. 

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 for 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!    

Partner Events & Webinars   

Webinar: Engaging Parents and Caregivers: Building Stronger Connections to Support Adolescent Health 

Join National Network of State and Adolescent Health Coordinators and the Possibilities for Change & New Jersey Department of Health, Child and Adolescent Health Program for a webinar on Wednesday, October 28 from 3-4 PM ET. Parents and caregivers play a critical role in supporting adolescent health and well-being, yet meaningful parent engagement can be challenging to build and sustain. This webinar will explore the importance of engaging parents and caregivers as partners in adolescent health and highlight strategies for strengthening communication, building trusted adult relationships, and connecting families with practical tools and resources. Using New Jersey’s statewide approach as an example, participants will learn how an evidence-informed parent communication model was expanded into a broader parent and professional engagement initiative. The session will conclude with a facilitated discussion for states to share approaches, successes, and challenges in engaging parents and caregivers. Learn more and register. 

Webinar Featuring AMCHP Staff – Using the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Process to Address Stillbirth: Opportunities for Title V Programs 

Stillbirth is a persistent challenge in maternal and infant health, rivaling rates of infant mortality in jurisdictions across the United States.  

This webinar on Thursday, October 29, from 3 – 4:30 PM ET, co-presented by the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (National Center) and the Association of Maternal Child Health Programs (AMCHP), highlights the power of the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) process to support Title V programs in understanding and addressing stillbirth. Partners from the National Center and AMCHP will describe the burden of stillbirth, the relationship between stillbirth and Title V, and the power of the FIMR process. FIMR program and Title V leaders will discuss how the FIMR process has equipped them to understand stillbirth and identify stillbirth prevention opportunities in maternal and child health systems.  

Speakers 

  • Susanna Joy, MA — National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention 
  • Andria Cornell, MSPH and Maura Leahy, MPH, CHES — Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) 
  • Sally Dixon, RN, BA and Bianca Nash, IBCLC, CD — St. Joseph County FIMR Coordinators 
  • Sinmidele Badero, MPH — Baltimore City FIMR Coordinator 
  • Vernesia Wilson, PhD, MPH — Mississippi Department of Health 
  • Melanie Roberts, CHES — Indiana Department of Health 

Learn more and register. 

Commemorations

October 2026      

American Pharmacists Month 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

Eye Injury Prevention Month 

Health Literacy Month 

Healthy Lung Month 

Home Eye Safety Month 

Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month 

National ADHD Awareness Month 

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

National Bullying Prevention Month 

National Dental Hygiene Month 

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month 

National Physical Therapy Month 

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month 

Prenatal-onset GBS Disease Recognition Month 

Spina Bifida Awareness Month 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month 

 

Weeks to Note:      

Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 4-10 

National Primary Care Week, October 4-10 

National PA Week, October 6-12 

Bone and Joint Health Action Week, October 12-20 

International Infection Prevention Week, October 18-24 

National Healthcare Quality Week, October 18-24 

National Pharmacy Week, October 18-24 

Respiratory Care Week, October 18-24 

Medical Assistants Recognition Week, October 19-23 

National Health Education Week, October 19-23 

Red Ribbon Week, October 23-31 

 

Days to Note:        

World Meningitis Day, October 6 

World Cerebral Palsy Day, October 6 

National Depression Screening Day, October 8 

World Sight Day, October 8 

World Mental Health Day, October 10 

International Day of the Girl, October 11 

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, October 13 

Emergency Nurses Day, October 14 

Global Handwashing Day, October 15 

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, October 15 

World Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, October 15 

National Mammography Day, October 16 

World Food Day, October 16 

World Spine Day, October 16 

World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day, October 19 

World Osteoporosis Day, October 20 

National Check Your Meds Day, October 21 

International Stuttering Awareness Day, October 22 

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, October 24 

World Psoriasis Day, October 29 

World Hypophosphatasia Day, October 30