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From the President
Annual Conference: Create, Change and Act!
By Nan Streeter, President, AMCHP
Do you hear the trumpets sounding the exciting notes of a remarkable time for health policy in our nation? Our theme for this year’s Annual Conference, “Launching MCH Opportunities in a New Era” proves to bring stimulating ideas and information to the new sheet of music we will create for maternal and child health. Whether your focus is on data, maternal and women’s health, building systems of services, promoting medical homes, workforce development, or a variety of children’s health issues, the overall theme is one of remarkable opportunities as we compose the new and future maternal and child health agenda. [read more]
From the CEO
Annual Conference: A Time to Reconnect
By Mike R. Fraser, PhD
AMCHP’s Annual Conference is the one big chance we have each year to connect and engage each other in conversations about what is new, what is important, and what is on our minds. It is our annual occasion to develop big ideas, exchange information, and take the time to understand how we can truly improve our practice of maternal and child health. [read more]
Get Involved
Online Registration Now Available!
Register today online to attend AMCHP’s Annual Conference to convene on February 21-25, 2009, in Washington, DC.
AMCHP February Board Meeting
The next AMCHP Board Meeting will be held during our Annual Conference on Saturday, February 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additional information will be provided in the coming weeks. Board Members who will be attending should RSVP to Nora Lam or call (202) 775-0436.
MCHB Medical Home Meeting
Join MCHB and your fellow MCH and CSHCN Directors at a special meeting on Saturday, February, 21 from 2:30 to 6 p.m. to discuss medical homes and learn more about what is happening in other states and at the national level! [read more]
AMCHP Business Meeting
All members, partners and staff are invited to attend a business meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. during our Annual Conference.
Member to Member
We asked three members the following question: Why do you come to AMCHP’s Annual Conference? [read more]
Features
Transforming Our Public Health and Healthcare
By Lauren Raskin Ramos, MPH
Director of Programs, AMCHP
Nemours Health and Prevention Services and the California Endowment have supported a group of national and state policy experts in the development of a proposal to create a 21st Century Child Health System that better coordinates health care, education, child care and wellness in a way that makes sense for families today and helps parents raise healthy, happy and productive children. Dr. Neal Halfon, Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health and Public Policy, and Director of UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families & Communities, shares some of the rationale and components of a transformed child health system. [read more]
Preconception Care
By Stacy Cunningham, MSW, MPH
Associate Director, Women's & Infant Health
AMCHP’s Monday morning plenary – “Preconception Care: Identifying New Opportunities to Improve Women’s and Children’s Health” promises to be exciting! We are thrilled to have Tonya Lewis Lee and Dr. Maxine Hayes as our speakers for this session. They will share national and state perspectives on preconception health and health care, as well as an update on federal initiatives that are promoting preconception care. [read more]
Family Involvement: Working Together to Launch MCH in a New Era
By Eileen Forlenza
Family Specialist
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Kathy Watters
Director, Children with Special Health Care Needs Unit
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
We are delighted to elevate the consumer voice as it relates to AMCHP’s mission, values and vision. Integrating the community perspective has been an intentional part of the Colorado Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) program priorities for over 20 years and we have experienced successful outcomes as a result. Integrating the voice of the community in our work has primarily been done in partnership with families of CSHCN, laying the foundation for the concept of family involvement. [read more]