Message from the Incoming Chair

Jovanna Rohs, Ph.D.

Director of Early Learning and Head Start | Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)

The onset of spring brings to mind new opportunities, new growth, and extended periods of light. As I transition from Chair-Elect to Chair of the Mother and Child Health Coalition, I see all three in my future. New opportunities will come through work with the MCHC’s new leader, Tracy Russell. Networking with the dedicated members of MCHC and learning about the amazing work that is done will provide growth, and educating others about the work of MCHC and our members will shed light on the work that is being done, and the work that needs to be enhanced in order to ensure the health of families.

As we embark on the month of May, the month in which we celebrate Mother’s Day, it is the ideal time to shed light on our work and strengthen our regional focus on maternal and infant health. With the state of Missouri ranked as one of the 10 states with the highest maternal death rates, and Kansas falling in the middle of the pack, this is especially important. The strategies that we undertake as a region need to ensure that each mother who gives birth is able to celebrate Mother’s Day.   Our regional discussions should consider birth equity, as maternal mortality is more likely to impact women who are African American, than their Caucasian counterparts. We would also benefit from considering how to ensure poverty and race do not affect the maternal mortality rate, as well as how we can address the 60% of maternal deaths that are preventable. 

It is an honor to be a part of our region’s work, and I look forward to all that this spring has to offer.

Won't you help another mother? In honor of Mother's Day, make a special donation to help support our work with women in our community

 who need a little extra loving kindness during their pregnancy.

MCHC ANNUAL MEETING and Election

"The Mother & Child Connection: A Forum on Infant and Maternal Mortality"

Friday, May 3, 2019 8:00-12:00

MCHC ANNUAL MEETING and Election

REGISTER

National Women's Health Week Webinar May 15

This webinar will discuss the unique challenges that women face during pregnancy. It will assist you in understanding postpartum issues and raise awareness of optimal pain management in light of the opioid epidemic and psycho-social co-morbidities. To learn more and register for the webinar, click HERE.

Kansas City Healthy Start Initiative:

Lending a Mom a Helping Hand

I met Mikala in August of 2018. She was about seven months pregnant, and had requested safe sleep information on our website. When we first met, she shared that she had been deployed to Iraq a couple of times while enlisted in the Army. She did not have any sort of assistance from a group or organization while learning to be a first-time mother. I felt as though the least we could do to thank her would be to assist her during and after her pregnancy. As her community health worker, I have been able to refer her to various organizations such as Research Hospital for child birth education and Sleepy Head Beds to obtain new beds for her new house. We also provided her with a car seat and trained her in proper usage. She is also able to obtain safe sleep education, and diapers, a pack and play and other necessary items from our Healthy Start Store.

I have always been impressed by Mikala's resilience and willingness to do anything possible to have a happy and healthy family. In less than a year she has been able to go back to work, move to a new house, and continue taking care of her son, Perseus. She is always enthusiastic and appreciative of Healthy Start and all the resources we provide for her and her family.

Mikala was gracious enough to be showcased in a video commenting on her participation and appreciation for her Community Health Worker and the Kansas City Healthy Start Initiative. The video will soon be available for viewing at www.mchc.net .

Marcela Metcalf, Lead Community Health Worker

Kansas City Healthy Start Initiative

April 30, 2019

MAYOR JAMES RECOGNIZES

KANSAS CITY HEALTHY START INITIATIVE



April 29: City of Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Sly James (left) congratulated Dr. Jean Craig, Kansas City Healthy Start Initiative program manager, and Tracy Russell, (right) MCHC executive director and KC Healthy Start project director, on award of the new federal grant extending the program for another 5 years. The goal of KCHSI is to reduce infant and maternal mortality in the greater KC area. Learn More

KANSAS LEGISLATURE NARROWLY MISSES EXPANDING MEDICAID

For too long, Kansas has missed an opportunity to do what’s right for 150,000 of our friends and neighbors. We've watched families struggle to afford health insurance. The time to expand Medicaid coverage is now! The evidence is clear: expansion states, on average, have experienced a reduction in infant mortality while non-expansion states have seen a slight uptick in infant death. Access to care is fundamental to closing the gap in outcomes for our mothers and babies. The Kansas Senate, on a procedural vote, failed by one vote to consider expanding Medicaid, despite a majority of the Senate supporting expansion. While this is a setback, as long as the legislative session continues, proponents will continue to push for access to care. Kansans are depending on them!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

...to our members, volunteers and partners, for all your support!

Membership update April 2019:

Abigail Burton, Brianne Fallon, Lisa Gilbert, Michel Martin, Erica Mercer

Patricia Reuter, Megan Trerice, Carey Van Kirk.