NETWORK UPDATES
Upcoming CLE: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) And Family Reunification
Missouri Appleseed, in partnership with the Missouri Maternal Health Action Network (MHAN), is hosting a virtual Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training on Friday, April 10, 2026, focused on strengthening legal and child welfare responses to addiction, recovery, and family stability.
This CLE offers an important opportunity to educate legal and child welfare professionals on the critical role of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in supporting recovery, strengthening families, and improving case outcomes. Designed for attorneys, judges, caseworkers, and other professionals working at the intersection of maternal and behavioral health, substance use, and family law, the training addresses current legal and child welfare training gaps related to MAT, societal perceptions that impact linkage to care, and inconsistencies in case and court outcomes.
Through expert speakers and lived experience perspectives, participants will explore evidence-based benefits of MAT, practical recommendations for improving systems and legal processes, and approaches that support recovery while protecting child safety and parental rights. The CLE will be held virtually and will later be housed as part of an ongoing educational series.
Additional information, including registration details, will be available soon.
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System UPDATES
The Perry “Second Chances” Scholarship Award
The Perry “Second Chances” Scholarship Award provides multiple one time scholarships to women and girls impacted by incarceration who are currently enrolled or have recently been accepted into a 2 to 4 year accredited college, vocational school, or university. The award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students and is designed to support educational advancement and renewed opportunity.
Established in memory of U.S. Army Master Sergeant Thurman Perry Jr., who was known for his generosity and kindness toward others regardless of circumstance, the scholarship is offered annually by his daughter, Gabrielle Angelique Perry, a formerly homeless and formerly incarcerated woman who is now a scientist and infectious disease epidemiologist. The award reflects a commitment to second chances, dignity, and expanding access to higher education.
At this time, applicants must be U.S. citizens attending institutions in the continental United States or U.S. territories.
Applications close on February 27, 2026 at 11:59PM PST.
Learn more and apply: The Perry “Second Chances” Scholarship Award
Proposed Federal Register Data Collection: Public Comment Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a notice in the Federal Register inviting public comments on a proposed data collection effort under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The notice (FR Doc. 2026-00426) outlines a planned information collection project and seeks input from the public and stakeholders on the necessity, utility, and burden of the proposed work.
Comments must be submitted by March 16, 2026, and will help inform CDC’s approach to gathering the data described in the notice.
Read more: Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations
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program & member highlights
Maternal SUD and NAS Summit — Save the Date & Register
Save the dates March 31 – April 1, 2026 for the Maternal SUD and NAS Summit in Columbia, Missouri at the Courtyard by Marriott Columbia (3301 Lemone Industrial Boulevard). Day 1 starts with registration at 9:00 a.m. and programming from 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Day 2 runs 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. A finalized agenda will be released soon. This summit will bring together providers, partners, and policymakers to strengthen care for families affected by maternal substance use and neonatal abstinence syndrome.
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Register here: Maternal SUD and NAS Summit
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Centering Joy in the Black Birthing Experience Conference
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3rd Annual Missouri Black Maternal Health Summit & Black Maternal Health Rest & Healing Experience
The Missouri Community Doula Council and Jamaa Birth Village are honored to announce the 3rd Annual Missouri Black Maternal Health Summit & Black Maternal Health Rest & Healing Experience, April 16-17, 2026, in St. Louis, Mo.
This two-day summit will convene midwives, doulas, parents, healers, maternal health practitioners, community birth workers, policymakers, and advocates to forward Black maternal health justice, policy transformation, and sustainable community care. The summit includes dynamic keynote speakers, interactive workshops, all inclusive field trips and advocacy actions dedicated to providing long-term sustainable solutions to birth inequities, elevating Black maternal health workers, and reclaiming rest, power and wisdom as an act of revolutionary liberation.
“It takes all of us to transform Black Maternal Health! Join US!”
Register here: 3rd Annual Missouri Black Maternal Health Summit & Black Maternal Health Rest & Healing Experience
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Virtual Maternal Child and Family Health Learning Collaborative
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Family Birthplace Community Baby Shower and 5K Run/Walk
SSM Health DePaul Hospital – St. Louis invites the community to join the Family Birthplace Community Baby Shower and 5K Run/Walk in recognition of Black Maternal Health Week. This family-friendly event brings people together to celebrate and support mothers while raising awareness about the maternal mortality crisis impacting Black women in the United States.
Attendees can enjoy food, giveaways, community vendors, and resources while participating in a 5K run or walk on the hospital campus, followed by a community baby shower. The event is designed to uplift families, connect them with support, and foster collective action to improve maternal health outcomes.
- Saturday, May 2, 2026
- 7:00 a.m. Registration
- 8:00 a.m. 5K Run/Walk
- 10:00 a.m. Community Baby Shower
- The May Community Education Center (12303 DePaul Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044)
Registration is available for both the 5K Run/Walk and the Community Baby Shower.
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Insights & Innovations
New Orleans Brings Back the House Call to Support New Moms and Babies
In response to Louisiana’s persistently high maternal and infant mortality rates, Family Connects New Orleans, a program of the city health department, is reviving postpartum home visits by registered nurses. New parents are eligible for up to three free in home visits in the first weeks after birth, where nurses check on both mom and baby, offer essential supplies and guidance on feeding, safety, and care, and connect families to community resources. Early evidence suggests the model, first developed in North Carolina and now in place in multiple states, can improve follow up care, reduce hospitalizations, and more effectively screen for conditions such as postpartum depression. A new Louisiana law now requires private insurance to cover these visits statewide, and local health leaders are advocating for inclusion under Medicaid.
Read more: New Orleans Brings Back the House Call to Support New Moms and Babies
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Consumption: Biological Mechanisms of Stress Resilience to Subsequent Alcohol Consumption
A new review in Alcohol Research: Current Reviews explores the biological mechanisms that influence how stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may affect alcohol consumption and the risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). The article synthesizes evidence from preclinical studies showing that individuals differ in vulnerability versus resilience to stress, and these differences involve molecular, cellular, and neural circuit processes that shape alcohol-seeking behavior after trauma exposure. Findings underscore how stress-related neurobiological factors — including neural connectivity, stress hormone regulation, and biomarkers of resilience — may help explain why some people with PTSD turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism while others do not. Understanding these mechanisms could inform future strategies for prevention and early intervention in co-occurring PTSD and AUD.
Navigating Federal Changes: The Value of Multisector Plans for Aging
A new blog post from the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) explores how multisector planning can help states and communities respond to evolving federal policy changes that affect older adults and their caregivers. As federal priorities shift, including updates to Medicare, Medicaid, and programs supporting home- and community-based services, multisector plans can align health care, social services, housing, and other systems to better meet the needs of aging populations. The post highlights how cross-system collaboration supports more coordinated care, improves access to essential services (such as behavioral health and long-term supports), and builds resilience against fiscal and demographic pressures. By prioritizing shared goals, data-driven decision-making, and stakeholder engagement, multisector planning offers a framework for states to address the complex needs of older adults more effectively.
Read more: Navigating Federal Changes: The Value of Multisector Plans for Aging
New Report Strengthening Title V: A Nationwide Examination of Variability in State Budgets for the MCH Block Grant
A new national report from the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Epidemiology Program at the University of Illinois Chicago examines how states allocate budgets for the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. The analysis highlights significant variation across states in per-child and per-maternal funding levels, how funds are distributed across program areas (such as preventive care, care coordination, and health promotion), and the implications of these differences for health equity and service access. By providing a clearer picture of how states invest Title V resources, the report aims to inform policymakers, advocates, and MCH leaders about funding gaps, opportunities for strengthening investments in maternal and child health, and strategies to promote consistent and equitable resource allocation nationwide.
insights ON-DEMAND
Show Me State of Mind (Season 1, Episode 14) – the Work: Dorn Shuffman & Rachelle Glavin on Health Homes, Data, and Doing It Right – by Brent McGinty
In this episode, Brent sits down with Dorn Shuffman to revisit the people, decisions, and pressures that shaped the last two decades of mental health policy in Missouri. Dorn shares stories from the early days of state government, the importance of the Missouri Mental Health Commission, and the challenges of navigating political and budget headwinds while keeping the focus on Missourians served.
Then Rachelle Glavin joins the conversation to highlight the behind-the-scenes work that built Health Homes: transitioning nurse liaisons, learning hard lessons about workload and data integrity, and evolving from Excel files to integrated reporting. The result is a candid look at how Missouri turned big ideas into real-world systems change.
Cannabis in Healthcare
The Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) is hosting a free “Cannabis in Healthcare” webinar on March 12, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM (CT). This session will help healthcare professionals, students, educators, and community advocates explore how cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system, discuss legal and clinical considerations for providers, and address stigma and misinformation that can hinder conversations about cannabis use despite its growing legality in over 40 states. The webinar is part of MRHA’s Lunch and Learn series and aims to equip rural health administrators and clinicians with foundational knowledge and practical insights.
Learn more and register: Webinar: Cannabis in Healthcare
community tools & supports
community partnerships
Community Partnerships (CPs) throughout Missouri work within their community to develop solutions to overcome identified challenges.
The CPs services include:
- Housing to low income families
- Life & job skills training
- Before/after/summer school care
- HiSet classes for diploma
- Food bank distribution
- Women’s health & outreach
- Substance, violence, & suicide prevention training
- And more!
The Community Partnerships are listed below:
Free Parent Support Groups Available by Whole Parent Foundation (WPF)
The Whole Parent Foundation is offering free parent support groups for individuals and families during pregnancy, early parenthood, and caregiving. These groups provide a supportive, judgment-free space for:
- Expecting parents
- New parents
- Individuals trying to conceive
- New adoptive parents
- Caregivers of young children
Each group includes mental health and peer support, along with practical physical supports such as food, diapers, and childcare at all in-person support groups. Participants may attend in person at select locations or join virtually via Zoom, making support accessible across communities.
Support Group Locations and Times
- Amethyst Place: Tuesdays, 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
- Kansas City: Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. – Noon
- MU Extension: Wednesdays, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
- St. Louis: Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
For more information, visit https://www.wholeparentfoundation.org/
resources & supports
Missouri Resources
mental & behavioral health resources/supports
support resources
- Missouri Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
- Visit 988lifeline.org
- Veterans (press 1)
- Español (oprime 2)
- LGBTQ+ Youth (press 3)
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Call 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262)
- SAMHSA National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- NAMI Helpline: Call 1 – 800 – 950 – NAMI (6264)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 1-800-656-4673
- National Call Center for Homeless Vets: Call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838)
- United Way: Dial 2-1-1
Helpful Websites
Support Groups
- Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/
- Postpartum Support International (Spanish Support Groups): Encuentros de apoyo
- SAMHSA Support Groups: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/health-care-or-support/support-group-or-local-program
- NAMI Support Groups: https://www.nami.org/support-education/support-groups/
Additional Resources
Food Services & supports
Second Harvest Community Food Bank
- Pantry Locator
- Food Distribution Events
- For more information, visit Second Harvest Community Food Bank
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UPCOMING TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Find upcoming trainings and development opportunities at https://moactionnetwork.org/announcements/#events
From Priorities to Action: Translating Maternal and Child Health Priorities Into Practice
Date: February 25, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. CST
Location: Virtual
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Learn more and register: Advancing Change for Moms and Babies in Rural America
Between the Leaves: Prevalence, Withdrawal and Approaches to Care for Kratom Use
Date: Wednesday, February 25
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST
Buprenorphine Prescribing 201: Advanced Topics Through Case-Based Learning
Date: Thursday, February 26
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Time: 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST
Nicotine 301: Understanding and Managing Nicotine Use in Youth
Date: Friday, February 27
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. CST
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Contiuing LEgal Education (CLE)
Date: Friday, April 10
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Missouri Appleseed, in partnership with the Missouri Maternal Health Action Network (MHAN), is hosting a virtual Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training on Friday, April 10, 2026, focused on strengthening legal and child welfare responses to addiction, recovery, and family stability.
Additional information, including registration details, will be available soon.
Cannabis in Healthcare
The Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) is hosting a free “Cannabis in Healthcare” webinar on March 12, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM (CT). This session will help healthcare professionals, students, educators, and community advocates explore how cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system, discuss legal and clinical considerations for providers, and address stigma and misinformation that can hinder conversations about cannabis use despite its growing legality in over 40 states. The webinar is part of MRHA’s Lunch and Learn series and aims to equip rural health administrators and clinicians with foundational knowledge and practical insights.
Learn more and register: Webinar: Cannabis in Healthcare
UPCOMING EVENTS
Find upcoming events and opportunities at https://moactionnetwork.org/announcements/#events
Virtual Career Exploration
Date: February 24, 2026
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. AND 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Community Wellness Event
Date: February 27, 2026
Location: 311 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
2026 Convening for Maternal and Infant Health in Missouri!
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AMCHP 2026
The conference will be held March 7–10, 2026 at The Westin, Washington DC Downtown.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and advance maternal and child health practices alongside leaders and peers from across the nation.
Register now: AMCHP 2026 Annual Conference
CASA Volunteer Training
Date: March 16, 2026
Location: 406 N Main St, Ste A, Rolla
Time: 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery
Date: March 24–26, 2026
Location: Baltimore, MD
This landmark national conference brings together stakeholders from across the country to address youth alcohol and substance use. It marks the first joint gathering in over a decade dedicated to prevention, treatment, and recovery for young people.
For more details and updates, visit: Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery
ASAM Annual Conference: Innovations in Addiction Medicine and Science
Date: April 23-26, 2026
Location: San Diego, CA
The ASAM Annual Conference is the premier national event for addiction medicine professionals, offering a platform to connect, learn, and share cutting-edge research, clinical advances, and best practices in the field. Now in its 57th year, the conference brings together physicians, clinicians, researchers, trainees, and policymakers for dozens of expert sessions, poster presentations, and networking opportunities that span clinical care, policy, science, and innovative treatment approaches. The upcoming event will be held in San Diego, CA, April 23–26, 2026, providing attendees with both professional development and community connection.
Learn more and register: ASAM Annual Conference
Maternal SUD and NAS Summit — Save the Date & Register
Date: March 31-April 1, 2026
Location: Columbia, MO
Save the dates March 31 – April 1, 2026 for the Maternal SUD and NAS Summit in Columbia, Missouri at the Courtyard by Marriott Columbia (3301 Lemone Industrial Boulevard). Day 1 starts with registration at 9:00 a.m. and programming from 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Day 2 runs 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. A finalized agenda will be released soon. This summit will bring together providers, partners, and policymakers to strengthen care for families affected by maternal substance use and neonatal abstinence syndrome.
To Download: On a computer, right click and select “Save image as…”. On a mobile device, hold a finger down on the image until you are shown an option to “Share” or “Add to Photos”. Once saved, you can upload the image to your social account with its accompanying caption.
Register here: Maternal SUD and NAS Summit
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SUBMIT SYSTEM UPDATES, ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS
Submit System Updates, Organizational News
Use the following form Bee in the Know – System Updates, Organizational News to submit updates, or organizational news to be featured by the Missouri Maternal Health Action Network. These updates and news will be shared in upcoming installments of the Weekly Snapshot, on our social media platforms, as well as in Action Network meetings, workgroup meetings, and other activities. To share time-sensitive information, contact mo_actionnetwork@umkc.edu
For more information, contact mo_actionnetwork@umkc.edu or visit moactionnetwork.org.
Developed by the Missouri Maternal Health Action Network (MHAN) at UMKC IHD • https://moactionnetwork.org/
© 2026 Curators of the University of Missouri | UMKC IHD, UCEDD • Supported by DHSS • May only be used with permission.
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