Check out what’s new!
Stay tuned and get excited about all the amazing happenings in Region 8!
Week of 1/12/25 Updates
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SWMPQIC will host the brand new Infant Feeding Class this week, Wednesday the 15th, from 6pm-8pm. Be sure to register and check out the details HERE.
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The RFP Review Committee is currently reviewing applications for the Advancing Healthy Births Grant. Twenty-one applications were submitted! Applicants who will be receiving awards will be notified via email on February 1st, 2025.
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The Leadership Team will meet on January 14th, for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
Regional Events and Happenings
News from our partners…
This study explores how the Moment for Parents app can support pregnant women with their mental health. We aim to enroll at least 100 women early in their pregnancies, who will use the app for 30 days and provide feedback through a brief survey and interview. Their input will help us refine the app to better support other pregnant women.
Participant Eligibility
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Less than 24 weeks pregnant
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Age 18 or older
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Living in Michigan
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Own a smartphone with internet access
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Can read, write, and understand English
What Participation Involves
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30 days of free access to the Moment for Parents app, which includes a chatbot checking in on emotional and mental well-being.
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Optional access to free mental health services, if needed.
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A 5-10 minute survey and a 30-minute interview to share their experience after using the app.
Participation Perks
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Flexibility to participate from anywhere using a smartphone.
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Up to $40 in gift cards: $10 for completing the survey and $20 for the interview.
How to Enroll
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Please encourage your contacts to enroll by visiting https://momentforparents.app.link/O6x4OkxwjNb or downloading the Moment for Parents app from Google Play or Apple App Store.
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If they have any questions, they can contact us directly at team@momentforparents.com.
Confidentiality and Privacy
All participant information will be kept strictly confidential. Data shared for research purposes will be de-identified to protect privacy.
On our Socials…
Updates include:
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The Pregnant Mom’s Empowerment Program shared information about upcoming support group, beginning meetings in January/early February
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Branch County Great Start Parent Group will have a Mom Tea event, February 8th at 2pm in Coldwater.
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Rootead will offer a Grief Circle on January 25th from 10am-12pm.
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Postpartum Support International shared information about why some parents choose to go to therapy.
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Calhoun County Health Department offers Sensory Friendly Vaccine Clinics, designed to provide a flexible, supportive, and calm environment during the vaccination process.
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HOPE Parent Resource Center shared information about Laundry Project at the Coin Express Laundry in Hartford, on January 15th from 4pm-8pm.
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Michigan Breastfeeding Network is offering virtual Community Breastfeeding Specialist courses
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St. Luke’s Children’s Clothes Closet, in Kalamazoo, will be open on Thursdays from 10am-1pm
Our facebook page is a great place to stay informed about regional events. Be sure to follow us!
MDHHS Updates
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January is Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month
January is Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month, which will launch in January 2025, serves to support: People contemplating or seeking help for their substance use. Practitioners treating or considering treating substance use disorder. Friends, family, and loved ones of those with substance use conditions. By raising awareness of treatment, including medications to treat substance use disorders, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) seeks to: Eliminate stigma surrounding treatment, including medications used to treat substance use disorders. Encourage those on their treatment and recovery journey. Promote best practices such as screening, intervention, and treatment of substance use disorders by health care providers. More Resources: SAMHSA Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month SAMHSA Practitioner Training Materials and Resources National Maternal Mental Health Hotline promotional materials
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January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, each year, more than 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease and highly curable if found early. However, the percentage of women overdue for cervical cancer screenings has been increasing. As reported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2019, the percentage of women overdue for a cervical cancer screening was 23 percent. Among the women who were not up to date on screening, nearly 60% of said they did not know they needed screening was the reason for being overdue for screening. The new findings highlight how important it is for health care providers to recommend cervical cancer screenings to their patients. In most cases, cervical cancer can be prevented through early detection and treatment of abnormal cell changes that occur in the cervix years before cervical cancer develops. The Michigan Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP) provides low-income women access to breast and cervical cancer screening services (mammograms and Pap tests) and follow-up care if needed. HRSA Webinar: Learn more by attending the webinar Improving Patient Engagement in Cervical Cancer Prevention and review the new Cervical Cancer Patient Engagement Toolkit. Date: January 16, 2025 | Time:2:00 pm
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Maternal Levels of Care
As part of the ongoing commitment to improving maternal health care standards, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is supporting birthing hospitals to participate in The Joint Commission (TJC) Maternal Levels of Care (MLC) Verification. A recent study in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology concluded that when pregnant people deliver their babies at a hospital with an inadequate level of maternal care, they are more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity. MLC verification aids in connecting pregnant people with risk-appropriate care and improves maternal health outcomes. The Joint Commission Maternal Levels of Care Verification is a comprehensive verification process, developed in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), to ensure hospitals meet rigorous standards for the care of pregnant and postpartum patients. This includes readiness, capability and effectiveness in identifying and managing complex maternal conditions, which may include transferring patients to a more appropriate care level as needed. Hospital costs associated with verification, including the annual fee and site visit, are covered by MDHHS via the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. All hospitals who are fully participating in the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) and have applied for The Joint Commission’s MLC Verification by July 30, 2025, will be receiving a maternal health quality payment in September 2025. This quality payment is intended to support the continuation of maternal quality initiatives in hospitals and their associated implementation costs. If you have any questions or need further clarification on the process, please reach out to Dominique Abram (AbramD@michigan.gov) and Meagan Chuey (ChueyM@Michigan.gov).
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Register for Mother Infant Health Equity Collaborative (MIHEC) Meetings
The purpose of the quarterly Mother Infant Health and Equity Collaborative Meetings is to create a space that fosters learning, the elevation of community-driven solutions and collaboration, aimed at achieving equity. The MIHEC is one of the drivers of implementing Michigan's Advancing Healthy Births Plan. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! Quarterly Meetings are between 1:00 - 3:00 PM ET February 13, May 15, August 14, November 13 Register for the Free Virtual MIHEC Meeting
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Career Opportunity: Home Visiting Regional Model Consultant
The Home Visiting Section has posted the following position through the Michigan Public Health Institute: Career Opportunities: Home Visiting Regional Model Consultant - Northern Michigan (4513) This position is housed within the Home Visiting Section of MDHHS, is a remote position that includes approximately monthly in-person meetings as well as some travel and will support grantees who are funded through the Home Visiting Section at MDHHS and who implement their home visiting program in primarily the Northern Region of the state. The function of the role is to provide ongoing technical assistance and monitoring to grantees to support them to meet federal, state, and model expectations and support enrollment of families who could benefit from home visiting programs.
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Michigan BioTrust for Health
Looking for ways to become more involved in your community? The Michigan BioTrust for Health is currently seeking members of the public to join the BioTrust Community Values Advisory Board. The BioTrust is an MDHHS program that oversees the storage and research use of blood spots left over after routine newborn screening. Board members have an opportunity to have their voices heard regarding BioTrust research policies and the ways that left-over blood spots are used. For more information about the BioTrust, visit www.michigan.gov/biotrust. To apply, complete the online CVAB application form by January 20th!
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Maternal Infant Health Summit 2025
We invite you to join us June 17-18, 2025 at the 8th annual Maternal Infant Health Summit, in Kalamazoo Michigan. The Summit will feature national and state leaders in maternal and infant health, drawing more than 600 families, practitioners, home visitors, doulas, midwives, social workers, community based organizations, public health professionals, students and more. EXHIBITOR & SPONSOR INFORMATION NOW AVAILABLE Our ability to host this important event is dependent on the generous support of sponsors and exhibitors.
