Check out what’s new!
SWMPQIC Updates
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Be sure to check out our Meetings page to view and register for future meetings. While you're there, you'll also be able to access the slides from Dr. Nicolina Smith's presentation during the last Quarterly Collaborative Meeting.
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Be sure to register for the upcoming Statewide Maternal and Infant Health Data Meeting on October 1, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. You can register for that meeting HERE.
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As we come into the last month of the fiscal year, we want to thank you for your continued collaboration, dedication, and amazing work that you do! Together, we can positively impact infant and maternal health throughout Region 8. Looking forward to another productive and impactful year ahead!
SWMPQIC Advocacy Corner:
From Michigan Council of Maternal Child Health
From 9/11/26 Friday Notes
New Infographics Available for Election Year Advocacy
As we head toward the November midterm election, MCMCH is highlighting the policies and investments that matter to Michigan’s moms, babies, children and families.
We have a new set of infographics now available, designed for maternal and child health advocates to share with candidates for office as our state will be electing a new governor, a new U.S. senator and members of Congress, as well as holding elections for all members of our state House and Senate.
These infographics outline Michigan's Blueprint for Healthy Families and cover key topic areas, including: Medicaid, Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS), healthy births, immunizations, mental health, healthy pregnancies and child safety.
We invite you to use these resources as a starting point to engage candidates. Add your own personal and professional experiences to underscore the issues that matter the most to you and those you work with.
Download the seven pieces in Michigan's Blueprint for Healthy Families below:
The Lifeline: Children's Special Health Care Services
Medicaid for Michigan's Children
Strengthen Children's Mental Health
Think Babies Michigan also has a new, comprehensive Election Year toolkit now available to help advocates prepare for this significant election.
Stay tuned to Friday Notes each week as we'll be sharing information on key maternal and child health priorities and resources leading up to November 3.
Raising Awareness of Maternal Suicide
With the latest CDC data from April 2026 showing an increase in pregnancy-related deaths by mental health conditions (including suicide and overdose), this public health issue among pregnant and postpartum women in the U.S. could not be more important or urgent.
Recognizing September as National Suicide Prevention Month, and September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day, the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance is sharing information to highlight the latest CDC data, and share resources and learning opportunities that can help those in the field learn more about this issue and identify better ways to address it in our work and communities.
According to the CDC data, mental health conditions (including suicide and accidental overdose) are the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women, accounting for 28 percent of pregnancy-related deaths. More than 85 percent of pregnancy-related deaths were deemed preventable.
There are general crisis and specialized hotlines and helplines ready and available to help mothers and others experiencing maternal mental health conditions. The National Mental Health Helpline and Hotlines printable makes it easy to share the national mental health helpline and hotlines with patients and clients.
Mental health conditions (including suicide and accidental overdose) account for nearly 28% of pregnancy-related deaths, making them the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women. This evidence-based fact sheet produced by the MMHLA covers key facts, statistics, and data sources behind this public health crisis affecting pregnant and postpartum women in the United States.
Healthcare providers need an easy way to raise awareness about maternal mental health conditions and share resources with their patients at regularly scheduled appointments. This sample script can be used by healthcare providers during short, routine appointments.
Upcoming Webinar: Maternal Suicide Prevention Strategies
Hosted by the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
October 6, 2026
1:30pm EST
This webinar invites obstetric providers, maternal mental health specialists, suicide prevention leaders, and perinatal psychiatrists to advance evidence-based maternal suicide prevention strategies and improve crisis response systems for pregnant and postpartum individuals.
The Policy Center will highlight the latest CDC maternal suicide data, screening, including identifying suicidality vs. OCD/intrusive thoughts, non-suicidal self-harm, and psychosis. The session will address the role of depression as an indicator of suicide risk, and treatments, including a discussion about medications and black box warnings.
They will also cover the importance of safety planning versus mandatory reporting to child protective services, among other topics. Register HERE
News from our Partners throughout Region 8
Event/Resource Flyers
Do you have an event, program, or news you'd like
us to share with Region 8?
Please send the information to Alysse at alyssebreckenridge@outlook.com. If you have flyers to share or graphics for social media, please send them along too!
MDHHS Updates
Michigan Doula Advisory Council: Call for Membership Applications
To support the implementation of Medicaid coverage of doula services, the Michigan Doula Advisory Council (DAC) works to advance doula care in Michigan. The DAC includes representation from doulas across the state of Michigan. The diverse council membership represents, to the extent possible, the various communities and settings in which doula services are provided.
The second council term will be concluding December 2026. Michigan doulas are encouraged to apply for membership by completing the application below.
Doula Advisory Council New Membership Application
Deadline for submission is October 1, 2026!
For consideration, all sections of the application must be completed. Successful applicants will serve a three-year term. Please review the Membership Guidelines for additional information.
Mother Infant Health Collaborative Meetings
The Division of Maternal Infant Health quarterly Mother Infant Health (MIH) Collaborative Meetings are hosted virtually via Zoom platform, free to attend, and open to anyone with an interest in improving outcomes for mothers, babies, and families.
Register for the November 12 meeting
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month
September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month in Michigan. Every baby born in Michigan receives a newborn screen shortly after birth. This quick and important test helps identify certain health conditions early, when treatment can make the biggest difference.
The Michigan Department of Human Services has developed four ready‑to‑use social media posts to promote awareness about the importance of newborn screening. These posts were designed so that community organizations, health partners, and other networks can easily share the information on their own social media platforms throughout the month of September. The below images can be posted along with any text, but the suggested text is:
“September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month! Every baby born in Michigan receives a newborn screen shortly after birth. This quick and important test helps identify certain health conditions early, when treatment can make the biggest difference. To learn more about newborn screening in Michigan and what to expect, visit Michigan.gov/NewbornScreening.”
Newborn Screening Awareness Month Post Images
To learn more about newborn screening in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/NewbornScreening. If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Thompson at Thompsonk23@michigan.gov.
On our Socials…
Our Facebook and Instagram are places to stay informed about regional events and resources. Be sure to follow us!
