"I’ve worked through so many aspects of trauma and triggers that stemmed from my childhood. Things that I thought I’d overcome, were still very present; just lying dormant. I experienced a depth of myself that I’d never tapped into until I had no other choice. The lessons of my therapy have become a part of my everyday living. Today, one year later, I have a happy, healthy 1 year old. He is brilliant and impresses me every day, multiple times a day. Over the course of this past year, I have purchased a new car and a new home. I’ve moved into a leadership position with my employer. Most importantly, I’ve discovered the power of the new me."

-Tiffany Cooley, Lived Experience

Planning Committee Meeting: Jan. 9, 2024

Workgroup Meeting: Feb. 20, 2024

Mom Advocacy Representative Meeting: Feb. 20, 2024

Steering Committee Meeting: March 12, 2024

The Uplift Connection: Maternal and Infant Health Convening: March 5-6, 2024

Association of Maternal and Infant Health Convening: April 13-16, 2024

Spring Training Institute: May 16-17, 2024

          The Missouri Maternal Health Action Network held its FFY 24 Quarter 1 meeting on Dec. 5, 2023. The meeting comprised vital stakeholders and strategic partners such as organizations, service providers, and mothers with lived experience.

Meeting Topics:

The Missouri Maternal Health Action Network is currently recruiting:

FOR PROFESSIONALS

Workgroups establish intentional collaborations and strategic action plans to address the following:

Time Commitment:

FOR MOMS

          Mom Advocacy Representatives participate in various regional and statewide activities, including the Action Network’s Leadership and Self-Advocacy Academy. Together, they are charged with identifying gaps and barriers that prevent mothers affected by substance use from receiving needed services.

          A selected Mom Advocacy Representative responsible for assisting in the coordination of regional and statewide activities and member recruitment for the Moms’ Advocacy Network. The Mom Advocacy Leader provides a collective voice for the Moms’ Advocacy Network and assists the Planning Committee in identifying critical points of interest to consider as it guides the work of the Action Network.

For additional information, contact Danielle Chiang, director of Maternal and Child Health.

          Darrell Missey, director of The Children’s Division, provided an overview of his organization’s robust plan for system reform, detailing a proactive prevention process. Missouri currently ranks fifth in the nation in foster kids per capita, doubleing the national average rate of kids in foster care.

The Children's Division plans to deliver prevention by:

          Robyn Shelp, director of Policy and Advocacy for Kids Win Missouri, summarized relevant state legislation from the 2023 legislative session and discussed the 2024 political atmosphere.

Relevant Maternal Child Health legislation that passed in the 2023 legislative session:

          The 2024 election year will have a reduced budget due to the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, with many pieces of legislation returning for reconsideration. Kids Win Missouri will continue to develop and advance evidence-based and equity-centered public policies and systems changes that support the health, education, safety, and development of children and thier families.

          Beginning in January 2024, lifelike infant manikins representing infants with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), prenatal drug exposure, and healthy characteristics will be available for loan from the Clay County Public Health Center.

          Organizations can use the manikins to show the effects of prenatal substance use and to promote healthy pregnancies. The substance-exposed manikin show the impact of withdrawal from substances. The FAS manikin features some of alcohol's devastating effects. Individuals can visualize all three manikins together to compare the effects of prenatal substance use. The manikins are provided at no cost but require the completion of a survey.

For additional information, contact Leah Oladitan. 

          The Kansas City Health Department Maternal Child Health Program is offering free-Healthy Relationship and Violence Prevention classes to schools and community-based organizations for students ages 10-19. 

These classes include, but are not limited to:

For additional information,  contact Dalana Johnson, (816) 513-6080.

          The Missouri Family Health Council makes sexual and reproductive health care more accessible for Missourians. Free emergency contraception is available via mail or at 60+ community distribution sites, MFHC.org/EC.

          The diverse, statewide health center network offers no- to low-cost birth control, annual wellness exams, sexually transmitted infection prevention and screening, and more services. Find a provider near you at MFHC.org/patients.

          Join the Action Network to receive updates about sexual and reproductive health services in Missouri, including ways to get involved in policy and advocacy work. Go to MFHC.org

     The March of Dimes Report Card for 2022 revealed that the pre-term birth rate in Missouri remained unchanged at 11.3% from the previous year, resulting in a consistent D- grade.

Share system updates and organizational news to be featured in the quarterly issue brief, or on the network website and Facebook page.