NETWORK UPDATES
MHAN Quarterly (q2) All network meeting
Date: March 24, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
This quarter’s meeting will focus on the importance of peer support and compassionate, person-centered provider care for mothers and families affected by substance use and mental health challenges.
Agenda:
- Network and system updates
- My Story featuring MHAN Voices of Lived Experience
- Program Highlight by U MATterTM
- Program Highlight by MOMS Line
- Program Highlight by Heartland PMAD
- Missouri program and resource spotlight.
- Closing
Not yet a Network member? Join today to receive invitations to future Network meetings and events. Get started by completing the Membership Information Form.
For more information, contact mo_actionnetwork@umkc.edu or visit moactionnetwork.org
MHAN mom advocacy representative in Action
Check out the Maternal Health Action Network’s (MHAN) very own FFY26 Moms’ Advocacy Representative for the Northeast Region, Patty Berger!
Patty was recently featured on the March 9 episode of a discussion highlighting Missouri’s proposed Clean Slate legislation, a bill that would automatically expunge the criminal records of thousands of Missourians convicted of certain non-violent crimes.
During the conversation, Patty joined Empower Missouri Executive Director Mallory Rusch and Artinese Myrik of Live Free Illinois to discuss the four-year effort to advance Clean Slate legislation and how policies like these help individuals and families move forward after past convictions.
Patty also shared powerful insights from her work as an advocate and as president of the St. Louis chapter of All of Us or None, emphasizing the importance of second chances, dignity, and creating pathways for people to rebuild their lives.
We are proud to have Patty’s leadership and lived experience helping shape systems change across Missouri through the Moms’ Advocacy Network.
Be sure to check out the episode and hear Patty’s perspective on why Clean Slate policies matter for individuals, families, and communities.
Upcoming CLE: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) And Family unification
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.

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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.
- Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
- Time: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
- Provides: 6.9 CLE Credits, including 2.7 Ethics and 2.7 Elimination of Bias Credits
Standing post — Please share!
Network Milestones: MHAN has been officially accepted as an Emerging Practice by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP)

The Missouri Maternal Health Action Network (MHAN) has been officially accepted as an Emerging Practice by the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP). MHAN is now featured in AMCHP’s national MCH Innovation Database, a distinguished, searchable repository highlighting what’s working in MCH. The database showcases practice-based evidence and effective approaches that are demonstrating meaningful impact on MCH populations nationwide.
View the MHAN Entry Page on the AMCHP MCH Innovation Database: Missouri Maternal Health Action Network (MHAN)
AMCHP’s MCH Innovation Database highlights effective, field-informed practices and policies that are making a positive impact on maternal and child health (MCH) populations across the country. MHAN was selected for its strong integration of community and clinical partnerships within existing MCH initiatives, meaningful engagement of community partners centering on the integration of voices of lived experience, its commitment to adapting tools and resources for greater accessibility, and its focus on cultural responsiveness
As an Emerging Practice, MHAN is recognized for demonstrating early signs of success, being rooted in a solid theoretical framework, maintaining a clear evaluation plan, and actively building evidence of meaningful impact on maternal and child health outcomes.
Please join us in celebrating this milestone for MHAN and the continued work to strengthen maternal health in Missouri and beyond!
This project is/was funded in part by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Multisector Action Network Contract # DH250057001 and is/was supported by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant #B04MC52935, Maternal and Child Health Services for $12,742,189, of which $0 is from non-governmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Not yet a Network member? Join today to receive invitations to future Network meetings and events. Get started by completing the Membership Information Form.
For more information, contact mo_actionnetwork@umkc.edu or visit moactionnetwork.org
System UPDATES
Voting Rights Could Expand for Missourians on Probation and Parole
A new proposal moving through the Missouri legislature could restore voting rights for thousands of residents currently on probation or parole. Under current Missouri law, individuals lose their voting rights while under community supervision after a felony conviction. The legislation would remove probation and parole as disqualifiers, allowing people living in their communities to participate in elections while still serving their supervision period. Supporters say restoring voting rights could strengthen civic engagement and help individuals feel more connected and responsible within their communities. If approved by the state Senate and signed into law, the change could impact more than 50,000 Missourians currently on probation or parole.
Read more: Missourians Probation Parole Rights Might Be Restored
Loan Repayment Funding Opportunity
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s National Health Service Corps is now accepting applications for a new loan repayment support option. This program is designed to provide primary care, dental and behavioral health providers working at approved sites with funding to be used toward repaying student loan debt. Eligible individuals may receive up to $100,000 to pay off their student loans.
Applications are due by 7:30 p.m. ET on March 31. To apply for loan repayment and check application status, providers must set up an account in My Bureau of Health Workforce.
program & member highlights
A Year of Impact for Missouri’s First Prison Nursery
Missouri’s first prison nursery program is celebrating one year of operation at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center (WERDCC) in Vandalia. Since opening in February 2025, 15 mothers and 16 babies have participated, with the program reporting an impressive 93% reentry success rate so far. Many participants are returning to their communities with stronger foundations for parenting, recovery, and long-term stability. Visitors have also noted that the presence of the nursery has positively influenced the environment within the facility.
Read more:
- Missouri’s First Prison Nursery Nears One Year Anniversary
- Prison Program That Allows Mothers To Room With Their Newborns Reaches One-Year Anniversary
The Missouri Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health is hitting the road!
Following our virtual Roadmap conversations, we are excited to gather in person across the state for a series of community engagement sessions designed to bring partners together, deepen connection, and move our shared vision for infants, young children, and families into action.
These gatherings are about all of us. They are an opportunity to pause together, reflect on what we’re hearing in our communities, and build the alignment and energy needed for the work ahead.
At each stop, you can expect to:
- Hear highlights and priorities from the IECMH Roadmap
- Share what feels most urgent, hopeful, or challenging in your region
- Help shape what implementation can and should look like locally
- Connect with others who care deeply about babies and the people who care for them
Roadshow stops:
- Kansas City – March 16
- Columbia – March 17
- St. Louis – March 18
We hope practitioners, advocates, families, funders, system partners, and leaders from early learning, mental health, home visiting, health care, child welfare, and beyond will join us. Your voice matters, and the Roadmap will only be as strong as the community that carries it forward.

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Registration is limited, so secure your spot now!
Insights & Innovations
New Data Highlights Limits of Maternal Mortality Reporting
New death certificate data released by the National Center for Health Statistics shows no statistically significant change in U.S. maternal mortality rates, according to analysis from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. However, experts caution that these numbers do not tell the full story because death certificate data only counts deaths occurring during pregnancy or within 42 days after birth. This method excludes many pregnancy-related deaths that occur later in the postpartum period, including those linked to suicide and overdose. Researchers note that more comprehensive systems, such as Maternal Mortality Review Committees and the CDC’s Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System, provide a more accurate picture of maternal deaths by tracking outcomes for up to one year postpartum.
Read more: New Maternal Mortality Death Certificate Data Show No Significant Change In Death Rates
View data: National Center for Health Statistics
New Data Shows Maternal Deaths Remain a Serious U.S. Health Concern
New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that maternal deaths in the United States declined slightly in 2024 but remain a significant public health concern. According to the latest report, 649 women died from maternal causes in 2024, compared with 669 in 2023, resulting in a maternal mortality rate of 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. While the overall rate has decreased from the peak seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, large disparities remain. Black women continue to experience significantly higher maternal mortality rates than other groups, highlighting ongoing inequities in access to care and maternal health outcomes across the country.
Read more: CDC Issues New Data Maternal Mortality Rates US
View data: National Center for Health Statistics
Setting National Standards for Behavioral Health Crisis Workers
A new advisory from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) outlines national model standards to strengthen the behavioral health crisis care workforce. The guidance responds to ongoing workforce shortages and inconsistent training standards that can limit access to timely crisis support. The advisory presents ten recommended standards to help states build a skilled, well-supported, and sustainable crisis care workforce. These standards address areas such as core values, workforce competencies, training and education requirements, credentialing and certification, supervision, and ethical practices. The goal is to ensure individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises can receive compassionate, high-quality support whenever and wherever they need it.
Read more: Advisory Model Standards For Crisis Care Workers
Finding Calm Through the Healing Power of Music
Music can do more than entertain. It can also support emotional healing and stress relief. Recent research highlighted in Psychology Today shows that music therapy may help parents experiencing the intense emotional stress of perinatal care, particularly during time spent in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). In the study, parents who participated in music therapy sessions reported feeling stronger, more positive, and better able to cope with overwhelming emotions. The findings suggest that music-based interventions can serve as a non-pharmacological tool for managing stress and supporting mental well-being during challenging moments in the parenting journey.
Read more: Stress Relief Through Sound
How Pregnancy Reshapes the Brain for Parenting
New research suggests that pregnancy may lead to measurable changes in the brain that help prepare mothers for caregiving and emotional connection. In a study following more than 100 pregnant women, MRI scans showed an average reduction of about 5% in grey matter volume in areas of the brain associated with empathy, social understanding, and bonding. Researchers believe these changes reflect a natural reorganization of the brain that supports maternal attachment and responsiveness to a baby’s needs. Scientists emphasize that the changes are not harmful but may represent an adaptive process that helps strengthen the parent–child relationship after birth.
Read more: Brain Structure Shifts During Pregnancy Linked To Maternal Bonding
The Financial Reality of Having a Baby in the United States
The cost of maternity care in the United States can place a significant financial burden on families, even for those with private insurance. Research highlighted by the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health shows that pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care can lead to medical debt and financial strain, which may delay care and worsen both physical and mental health outcomes. High-deductible plans and increasing cost sharing can make essential prenatal, delivery, and postpartum services harder to afford. Experts warn that these financial pressures can contribute to stress, postpartum depression, and long-term economic hardship for families, reinforcing the need for policies that reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket maternity care costs.
Read more: The Cost Burden Of Maternity Care
Strengthening Food Systems to Withstand Future Disruptions
Food systems are increasingly affected by extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, economic instability, and other crises that can limit access to safe and nutritious food. A new planning guide from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) offers state governments practical tools to prepare for and respond to these challenges. The guide outlines strategies for improving coordination across sectors, strengthening food supply networks, and protecting vulnerable communities who are often most affected during disruptions. By helping states plan proactively, the resource aims to support more resilient food systems that ensure food remains accessible, available, and appropriate for all communities, even during emergencies.
Read more: Food System Resilience: A Planning Guide For State Governments
What Missourians Say They Need to Thrive
New findings from the Speak Up MO research initiative highlight how Missourians feel about life in their communities and the challenges they face. While many residents describe their communities as welcoming and good places to raise families, the research also reveals growing concerns about rising costs of living and health care. Participants emphasized the importance of good jobs with benefits, strong local economies, and supportive neighborhoods where people feel connected and valued. The findings also show that although many Missourians feel a sense of belonging, some groups, including Latino and LGBTQ+ residents, report lower levels of community connection. These insights help inform efforts to strengthen health, economic stability, and opportunity across the state.
Read more: Speak Up MO 2025
Addressing Mental Health Needs Within the Justice System
People living with mental health conditions are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, highlighting the need for policies that prioritize treatment and support rather than incarceration. A new issue brief from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) examines recent state legislation and policy trends aimed at addressing this challenge. The report highlights strategies such as diversion programs, improved conditions in custody, juvenile justice reforms, stronger reentry supports, competency restoration processes, and civil commitment policies designed to better connect individuals to mental health care. By showcasing policy examples from across the country, the brief encourages states to adopt approaches that reduce justice system involvement while increasing access to mental health services and community-based care.
Read more: 2025 State Legislation Issue Brief Series: Trends In Mental Health And Criminal Justice State Policy
Dowload brief: Trends in Mental Health and Criminal Justice State Policy
Expanding Access to Doula Support Through Public Health Programs
Two new policy briefs from the Center for Maternal and Child Health Medicaid Partnerships (CMMP) highlight how state programs can expand access to doula services to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. One brief focuses on how states can design and implement Medicaid coverage for doulas, including decisions around scope of services, provider credentialing, and reimbursement structures that help sustain the workforce. The second brief explores how Title V maternal and child health programs can also support doula access through community engagement, cross-system partnerships, and collaboration with Medicaid agencies. Together, the briefs outline practical strategies for states to strengthen the perinatal workforce and improve care coordination for mothers and families.
Read brief: How Title V ProgramsAdvance Access to Doula Services
Read brief: Covering Doula Services through Medicaid
insights ON-DEMAND
Free Training and Support to Strengthen Behavioral Health Systems
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a wide range of free training and technical assistance resources designed to strengthen behavioral health programs across the country. These services help organizations, providers, and communities improve prevention, treatment, recovery, and crisis response efforts. Through national training centers and subject-matter experts, SAMHSA provides guidance on implementing evidence-based practices, building workforce capacity, improving care coordination, and addressing emerging behavioral health challenges. Technical assistance may include webinars, toolkits, consultations, and ongoing support to help organizations enhance services and achieve better outcomes for individuals and families affected by mental health and substance use conditions.
Read more: Technical Assistance
Hope starts with us: Episode 97; Advocating for Help, Not Handcuffs – Featuring Shannon Scully and Hannah Wesolowski
On this podcast, Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness), brings important mental health topics to light, one conversation at a time. Hope starts with us sharing our stories. Hope starts with us breaking the stigma. Hope starts with us sharing resources and practical advice. If you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health condition and are looking for hope, this podcast is for you.
In honor of National Criminal Justice Month, “Hope Starts With Us” is guest hosted by NAMI’s Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski in conversation with NAMI’s Director of Criminal Justice Policy and Initiatives Shannon Scully. The two explore NAMI’s advocacy to end the criminalization of mental illness and creating avenues for help, not handcuffs. Through this episode, listeners will learn about our criminal justice policy priorities, the need for more support and resources, how to get involved in NAMI’s National Criminal Justice Month and Overlooked campaigns, plus the brand-new resource “Navigating the Crimnial Justice System.” Listen now and learn how you can get involved today.
Episode links:
NAMI’s new resource: “Navigating the Criminal Justice System”
National Criminal Justice Month
community tools & supports
Loads of Love Laundry

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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/
Free Prenatal Education Classes Available in 2026
Phelps Health is offering free prenatal education classes throughout 2026 for individuals who are at least 20 weeks pregnant. These classes are designed to help expectant parents prepare for labor, delivery, and newborn care, and include a guided tour of the Phelps Health Obstetrics Unit. Topics covered include labor and delivery, breathing and relaxation techniques, cesarean birth and pain management options, newborn care and feeding, and breastfeeding. A support person is welcome to attend.
A support person is welcome. Call (573) 458-7397 to register for a class today!

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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
UPCOMING TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Find upcoming trainings and development opportunities at https://moactionnetwork.org/announcements/#events
Between the Leaves: Prevalence, Withdrawal and Approaches to Care for Kratom Use
Date: Tuesday, March 17
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CST
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
SUD Care Continuum ECHO®: Managing Benzodiazepine Tapers
Date: Wednesday, March 18
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. CST
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Cannabis 101: Youth
Date: Friday, March 20
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CST
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Suicide and Substance Misuse: Supporting Safety
Date: Monday, March 23
Time: 10:30 a.m. CST
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Upcoming CLE: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and family unification
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.
- Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
- Time: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
- Provides: 6.9 CLE Credits, including 2.7 Ethics and 2.7 Elimination of Bias Credits
UPCOMING EVENTS
Find upcoming events and opportunities at https://moactionnetwork.org/announcements/#events
Joint Meeting on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery
Date(s): 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.
Maternal SUD and NAS Summit
Date: March 31 – April 1, 2026
Location: Courtyard by Marriott in Columbia, Missouri (3301 Lemone Industrial Boulevard)
Centering Joy in the Black Birthing Experience Conference
Date: April 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: SIUE Health Sciences Building (100 P2 Road)
3rd Annual Missouri Black Maternal Health Summit & Black Maternal Health Rest & Healing Experience
Date: April 16-17, 2026
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
ASAM Annual Conference: Innovations in Addiction Medicine and Science
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.
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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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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