Moms’ Advocacy Network
A leadership and self-advocacy group made of mothers from across the state of Missouri who have been affected by perinatal substance use. Their collective voice, experiences, perspectives, and knowledge guide the direction of the Action Network.
Moms’ Advocacy Network
In Missouri, the Moms’ Advocacy Network works to fill these gaps by bringing mothers who have experienced substance use disorders during the perinatal and/or postpartum period into discussions where service delivery, policy and support decisions are explored.
Members of the Moms’ Advocacy Network are in a period of sustained recovery and serve to lend their voices and experiences of substance misuse to guide well-informed decision-making.
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The Moms’ Advocacy Network has two functions:
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Leadership Opportunities
Mom Advocacy Representatives
Made of nine mothers with lived experience, one from each region, from across the state of Missouri. These nine mothers voice their perspectives, share their knowledge and stories, and help in the recruitment of Moms’ Advocacy Network members.
The Mom Advocacy Representative participates in a variety of regional and statewide activities, including the Action Network’s Leadership and Self-Advocacy Academy. Together, they are responsible for identifying gaps and barriers that prevent mothers affected by perinatal substance use from receiving needed services.
Mom Advocacy Leader
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 key points of interest to consider as they guide the work of the network.
Leadership & Self-Advocacy Academy
The Leadership and Self-Advocacy Academy empowers and supports mothers affected by perinatal substance use through interactive training modules and leadership opportunities.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
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- Feel empowered and supported.
- Gain knowledge, experience, and skill development that fosters personal growth and transformational change and promotes self-informed decision making.
- Receive resources and education needed to access and navigate support services.
- Receive transformational education to improve behavioral health outcomes for mothers affected by perinatal substance use.
The cirriculum has the following goals:
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- Foster self-determination and self-advocacy skills for making changes in own life or family.
- Enhance skills for engaging informally or formally with peers who are experiencing similar life experiences (peer support).
- Developing advocacy and leadership skills, knowledge and confidence for participating in organizational, systems or policy-level change activities.
The Leadership and Self-Advocacy Academy incorporates self-paced educational modules and discussion sessions delivered through a set of online interactive trainings.
SESSION STRUCTURE
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- 8 Facilitated 1-hour sessions (virtual)
- 20 minute educational instruction
- 30 minute facilitated discussion
- 10 minute wrap-up
- After-session assignment
SESSION MODULES
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- Introduction to Leadership and Self-Advocacy
- Self-Advocacy 101
- Exploring Personal Values
- Effective Communication
- Advocacy for Your and Your Children’s Health
- Healthy Relationships in Family and Community
- Introduction to Civic Advocacy
- Leadership and How We Share Our Stories
Interested in the Leadership & Self-Advocacy Academy?
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