GET INVOLVED
Submit Your Best Practice Today
AMCHP is seeking submissions of best practices in maternal and child health from around the country. Whether it’s an effective campaign to promote breastfeeding, an outstanding home visiting program, or a proven early intervention program for young children, get the word out about your best practice. AMCHP defines “best practices” as a continuum of practices, programs and policies ranging from emerging to promising to evidence-based. A best practice could focus on the health of women, adolescents, young children, families, or children with special health care needs. Best practice focus areas include preconception care, mental health, data and assessment, financing, program and system integration, workforce development, injury prevention, emergency preparedness, family involvement, or other public health issues. Best Practice submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.
1) Click here to download a PDF of the submission form.
2) When you are ready to submit, click here to start the survey.
For more information on submitting best practices, please contact Darlisha Williams or call (202) 775-0436.
AMCHP Request for Applications to Participate in a Preconception Health for Adolescents Action Learning Collaborative
AMCHP with the support of the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) and Division of Reproductive Health (DRH), is interested in working with a small cadre of innovative states who would like to explore the idea of integrating preconception health recommendations into their adolescent health efforts. AMCHP will provide financial and technical support for up to five state teams, composed of five team members, to strategize ways to implement selected preconception health recommendations into their health and education efforts and document successes, barriers and lessons learned. The Request for Applications (RFA) deadline is no later than 5 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, September 4. AMCHP will also host an RFA Question & Answer Call on Monday, August 17 from 3 to 4 p.m. (EDT). Dial in number: (800) 393-0640. Participant Passcode: 901018. To download the RFA and the Conceptual Framework for this project, visit here. For additional information, please contact Sharron Corle.
AMCHP’s Call for Abstracts for its 2010 Annual Meeting
AMCHP is seeking abstracts for its 2010 Annual Conference to be held March 6-10, 2010, at the Gaylord National Convention Center and Hotel in National Harbor, MD. The deadline for presentations is August 31. Accepted presentations will be notified by October 13. To submit an abstract, visit here. For more information, contact AMCHPspeakers@conferencemanagers.com or call Colleen Campbell at (703) 964-1240, ext. 16.
PHAB Call for Applicants to Test its Accreditation Program
The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) will implement a beta test of its accreditation program with health departments starting in the fall of 2009. The public health departments that participate in the beta test process will play a critical role in shaping and refining the accreditation program before the national launch in 2011. Throughout the beta test process, participating health departments will have the opportunity to receive hands-on technical assistance from national public health organizations, collaborate with and learn from other health departments by sharing knowledge and best practices, attend trainings, and engage in quality improvement practices that aim to advance the quality and performance of their services. Applications from health departments must be received by PHAB no later than 5:30 p.m. (EDT) on August 14. To learn more, visit here.
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ASK AN EXPERT
AMCHP’s Emerging Issues Committee is conducting an assessment of state Title V agency involvement in H1N1 preparedness planning and response. The Emerging Issues Committee requests your response to a short online query to help the committee articulate the important role of Title V agencies in understanding the needs of women, children and families during an H1N1 outbreak, as well as Title V agencies’ unique ability to reach special populations. Results from this query will be used in a series of publications that highlight the role of Title V agencies in H1N1 preparedness planning and response, and in conversations with federal and national preparedness partners. Please click here to reply to the survey by Friday, August 14. If you have any questions about the query, please contact Michelle Alletto.
ON YOUR BEHALF
Please look out for AMCHP staff at upcoming state Title V Block Grant reviews and regional meetings! Several staff will be visiting with states and serving as reviewers or observers during state reviews. Staff is looking forward to learning more about your state, increasing knowledge about the Block Grant, and meeting more state program staff. Thanks for allowing us to participate in your reviews!
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PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES
General Maternal & Child Health
School Dropout Prevention for Healthcare Providers
The article, “School Dropout Prevention - A Public Health Role for Primary Healthcare Providers, 2009,” published by the School Mental Health Project, Department of Psychology, University of California-Los Angeles, indicates that about a half million young people drop out of high school each year. Pediatric and adolescent primary healthcare providers help families by responding to learning, behavior and emotional problems. This article highlights the important role and tools available for public health practitioners to support dropout prevention as a public health strategy. To read the full article, visit here.
MCH Library Offers Home Visiting Resources
Produced by the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Library at Georgetown University, the home visiting resource brief contains information about home visitation programs and the variety of family-focused services they offer to pregnant women and families with new infants and young children. Additional resources include issue briefs, testimonies, and research findings; policy statements; state and local program guidelines and examples; professional- and consumer-education materials; documents on program development, core competencies, supervision, and evaluation; curricula and training; and Webinars. A guide for home visitors on educating parents and caregivers about infant safe sleep is also provided. To learn more, visit here.
New Brief Addresses Perinatal Bereavement
The brief, “Organizational Policy Supports Families in Times of Crisis,” produced by the National Center for Cultural Competence at Georgetown University with support from Health Resources and Services Administration’s MCHB, examines the impact of demographic changes in the Fredericksburg, Va. area and outlines efforts to create a structure to oversee and promote cultural and linguistic competence throughout the area's health care system. The authors discuss the role of the coordinator of cultural services in supporting hospital staff to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills to adapt the care they give to families and, specifically, to meet cultural preferences and needs following a perinatal death. To download the brief, visit here.
New Title V Index
The National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ), along with Title V programs, has released the Title V Index that identifies both domains and benchmarks for Title V improvement. The Index is designed to help states apply the cumulative wisdom of quality improvement at the policy level. To download the Index, visit here.
Issue Brief Explores How School Districts Can Engage Families
The brief, “Seeing is Believing: Promising Practices for How School Districts Promote Family Engagement,” published by the Harvard Family Research Project and the National Parent-Teacher Association, examines how six school districts across the country have used innovative strategies to create and sustain family engagement “systems at work.” The findings point to three core components of these successful systems: creating district-wide strategies, building school capacity and reaching out to and engaging families. To download the brief, visit here.
Issue Brief on Expanding Medicaid and CHIP
The brief, “Coverage for Low-Income People,” published by Health Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, examines proposals for expanding Medicaid and CHIP and the consequences such action would have for low-income people. The brief also provides details about the options being debated by Congress and summarizes arguments for and against each of the proposed options. To download the brief, visit here.
Call for Abstracts
The National Perinatal Association is seeking abstracts for poster presentations for their 2009 annual conference convening on November 12-14, in Fort Worth, Texas. Any abstract with an application in perinatal health is acceptable; however, those which address the multidisciplinary approach to perinatal health are encouraged. Abstracts may describe contributions to theory, policy development, program development and evaluation, delivery of health or related services, or research. Of particular interest are abstracts focusing on the evolution of perinatal health, preconception care and improving outcomes for mothers, fathers and infants. To learn more, visit here.
CityMatCH Releases Report on HIV Prevention for Women and Children
The report, “FIMR/HIV Pilot Project: Overview and Lessons Learned,” documents the experiences of three communities selected to implement the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR)/HIV Prevention Methodology. The pilot project was conducted over two years in Baton Rouge, La.; Detroit, Mich.; and Jacksonville, Fla. These sites were responsible for locating and engaging community members with expertise in HIV/AIDS and maternal and child health to review data in order to make recommendations for community action and systems changes needed for optimal perinatal HIV prevention. To download the report, visit here.
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Women's Health
ACOG Releases New Guidelines on Labor Induction
The guidelines, “Induction of Labor," published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), provides physicians with guidance regarding which induction methods may be most appropriate under particular circumstances, as well as the safety requirements, and risks and benefits of the different methods. To read the abstract, visit here.
Children's Health
Annie E. Casey Foundation Releases 2009 Kids Data Book
The publication, “Counting What Counts: Taking Results Seriously for Vulnerable Children and Families: The 20th Annual Kids Count Data Book,” profiles the well-being of children in the United States on a state-by-state basis and ranks states on 10 key measures of child well being. These measures include: percent of low birth-weight babies; infant mortality rate; child death rate; rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide; teen birth rate; percent of children living with parents who do not have full-time, year-round employment; percent of teens who are high school dropouts; percent of teens not attending school and not working; percent of children in poverty; and percent of families with children headed by a single-parent. The Data Book also provides background information for each state, including demographic and family income data. To download the book, visit here.
NCFH Releases Report Card on Child Homelessness
The report, “America's Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness,” published by the National Center on Family Homelessness (NCFH), provides a comprehensive snapshot of child homelessness in the United States today. Updating a study NCFH released in 1999, this report shows that the problem of child homelessness is worsening. The report describes the status of homeless children in four areas: extent of child homelessness, child well-being, structural risk factors, and state-by-state policy and planning efforts. To download the report, visit here.
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Adolescent Health
New Social Networking Site for Teens with Life-Threatening Conditions
The Starbright Children’s Foundation has created a website called “Starbright World” for teens with chronic and life threatening medical conditions and their siblings. The goal of the site is to help these teens connect with other youth like themselves who don’t have the same social opportunities. To view the site, visit here.
Sexual and Reproductive Health of Youth Report
The report, “Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons Aged 10-24 Years -- United States, 2002-2007,” published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, finds that teen birth rates, HIV infections and other sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise, showing a reverse of the positive trends seen in the previous decade. To download the report, visit here.
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
AMCHP Job Opening for a CYSHCN Program Manager
This position is accountable for development, implementation and evaluation of program activities related to children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), birth defects and developmental disabilities, and early childhood development. The Program Manager will assist in the tracking, analyzing, and reporting on national and state programs impacting CYSHCN, birth defects and disabilities and early childhood. The Program Manager will partner with relevant federal agencies such as the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other national organizations and groups concerned with CYSHCN and early childhood. This position reports to the Associate Director, Workforce Development and Leadership, Family Involvement. To read the full job description and to learn how to apply, visit here.
Healthy Parenting Health Communication and Conference Fellowship
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disability (NCBDDD), Division of Human Development and Disability, is seeking an individual to assist in multiple capacities to further the translation of CDC research and work in healthy parenting. This position is currently a one year fellowship with an expected start date of October 2009 and will be coordinated within the Child Development Studies Team (CDS) at NCBDDD. Interested individuals should forward their resume and cover letter by August 30 to: Camille Smith, Child Development Studies Team, Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, MS E88, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333 or cas0@cdc.gov or call (404) 498-3007. For questions regarding the posting, please contact Lara Robinson, lpr0@cdc.gov or call (404) 498-3822.
EIS is Seeking Applicants for its Postgraduate Program
The Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is a two-year, postgraduate program of service and on-the-job training for health professionals interested in the practice of epidemiology. Each year, EIS provides approximately 90 persons, who have been selected from around the world, opportunities to gain hands-on experience in epidemiology at CDC or state or local health departments. EIS Officers, often called CDC's "disease detectives," have gone on to occupy leadership positions at CDC and other public health agencies nationally and internationally. However, the experience also is useful for health professionals who want to gain a population health perspective. Applications are due by September 15. To learn more and to apply, visit here.
AMCHP’s CAREER CENTER
The Career Center is the premiere online job board for individuals seeking employment in Maternal and Child Health programs. Whether you are looking for an entry-level position or are a more seasoned professional looking for new opportunities, AMCHP's Career Center has great openings for great people! Searching our database is free and open to all job-seekers. AMCHP members receive a discount on job-postings - so sign up today!
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FUNDING
Straight Talk on Preventing HIV Program
Deadline: August 18
The purpose of the Straight Talk on Preventing HIV Program is to develop gender- and age-specific HIV/AIDS prevention education that is culturally, spiritually, and linguistically appropriate for female teenagers at-risk for or living with HIV/AIDS. In the FY 2009 funding year, successful applicants will develop and pilot a cross-generational HIV/AIDS prevention education program that is adapted from an existing CDC evidence-based HIV prevention program listed in the 2008 CDC Compendium of Evidence-Based HIV Prevention Programs to meet the needs of the applicants’ target population. The program’s aim is to teach sexual health as an integral part of health and to teach female members of a family that a healthy life includes physical health, emotional health, and sexual health. The HIV/AIDS prevention education approaches will be specific to female teenagers at-risk for or living with HIV/AIDS and other female members of the family 12 to 18 years old, particularly African American, Native American/American Indian, and/or Hispanic/Latina populations. To learn more, visit here.
CDC Funding for Childhood Immunization Support Project
Deadline: August 19
CDC’s Procurement and Grants Office has published a funding opportunity announcement entitled, “Childhood Immunization Support Project”. Approximately $200,000 will be available in fiscal year 2009 to fund one award. The purpose of the program is to improve pediatric provider’s knowledge, practices and strategies necessary for high quality immunization delivery. To learn more, visit here.
CDC Funding for Increasing Immunization Rates through Healthcare Provider Partnerships
Deadline: August 19
CDC’s Procurement and Grants Office has published a funding opportunity announcement entitled, “Increasing Immunization Rates through Healthcare Provider Partnerships.” Approximately $700,000 will be available in fiscal year 2009 to fund four awards. The purpose of the program is to develop and implement innovative programs for healthcare providers to change their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about immunization in order to improve immunization coverage. To learn more, visit here.
HRSA MCH Research Grants
Deadline: September 1
The Maternal and Child Health Research Program will award grants to support applied research relating to maternal and child health services, which show promise of substantial contribution to the advancement of the current knowledge pool. Findings of this research should result in health and health services improvements in states and communities. Research proposals should address critical MCH questions such as public health systems and infrastructure, health disparities, quality of care, and promoting the health of MCH populations. To learn more, visit here.
2010 Family Planning Services Funding for HRSA Region 1
Deadline: September 1
The Office of Public Health and Science is seeking applications from public and private nonprofit entities to establish and operate voluntary family planning services projects for HRSA Region 1 (New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Central Massachusetts), which shall provide family planning services to all persons desiring such services, with priority for services to persons from low-income families. Family planning services include clinical family planning and related preventive health services; information, education, and counseling related to family planning; and, referral services as indicated. Applicants should use the Title X legislation, applicable regulations, Program Guidelines, legislative mandates, program priorities, and other key issues included in this announcement and in the application kit, to guide them in developing their applications. To learn more, visit here.
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CALENDAR
National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
August 11-13
Atlanta, GA
International Swine Flu Conference
August 19-20
Washington, DC
CityMatCH 2009 Urban Maternal and Child Health Leadership Conference
August 22-25
New Orleans, LA
10th National Conference on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention
August 25–27
New Orleans, LA
Seventh Annual Public Health Information Network (PHIN) Conference
August 30–September 3
Atlanta, GA
American College of Epidemiology Annual Meeting
September 12-15
Silver Spring, MD
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2009 Annual Conference
September 13-16
Bethesda, MD
National Prematurity Summit
October 8-9
Arlington, VA
2009 ASTHO Annual Meeting
October 13-16
Vienna, VA
Strengthening Families Leadership Summit: Creating Opportunities in Challenging Times
October 28-29
Atlanta, GA
15th Annual Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (MCH EPI) Conference
Making Methods and Practice Matter for Women, Children and Families
December 9-11
Tampa, FL