Tracy Russell Executive Director Mother and Child Health Coalition

Message from the Executive Director

Labor Day signals the end of summer, and for many of us, a move into fall even if the weather and date on the calendar don’t mark the season as official. For Mother & Child Health Coalition, September is a time to shine a spotlight on the reason for our existence as it ushers in Infant Mortality month. 
At MCHC, fall marks the time to formulate a policy agenda that will ultimately reduce infant mortality in Kansas City. One of our most important gatherings, our legislative policy meeting, convenes on November 15. We need your enthusiasm, expertise, and energy to put forward initiatives that will impact the unacceptable number of infant deaths, particularly for African-American babies who are dying at rates that are more than double that of white babies. 
Why the emphasis on the policy meeting? Policy change is the best way that I know of to bring broad, cultural change to our systems and institutions in a way that no other method can. Unfortunately, education of decision-makers on issues that we care and know about deeply can be characterized by the overly broad brush of “lobbying”, causing many in the nonprofit sector to withdraw from those conversations as a precaution. I submit that we have a duty to engage where our expertise and experience could illuminate the impact on our community and mission. 

The format of the November meeting will prioritize the importance of member participation in putting forward a thoughtful agenda. To that end, we welcome your suggestions for policies that rise to the level of priority, based on impact and feasibility in our political climate. As we get closer to November 15, MCHC members will receive background information on potential policies that have emerged from our coalition work. Please send us your suggestions and we will provide them to members so they can make an informed decision at the November meeting. 

Your participation is vital to our success and I look forward to seeing you on Friday, November 15! 

Tracy Russell, Executive Director, Mother & Child Health Coalition
Kansas City Healthy Start Initiative - Reducing Infant Mortality

In this month of September, Infant Mortality month , Mother & Child Health Coalition is excited to announce receipt of a five-year supplemental grant for the Kansas City Healthy Start Initiative (KCHSI.) The Notice of Award from the U.S. Department of Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) was received on Tuesday, August 20 th. These funds will be used to offer clinical services to our KCHSI families through the services of a nurse. 
A new Community Health Nurse position will be contracted with Truman Medical Center, offering support and resources to KCHSI families, with the ultimate goal of reducing infant mortality and improving overall birth outcomes among the families served. The grant cycle will run concurrently with the existing Healthy Start grant, with additional funding at $122,899 for this first year, increasing to $142,899 for each year thereafter, from 2021 through 2024. We are looking forward to this collaboration with Truman Medical Center.
September is Injury Prevention Month , and Safe Kids Metro KC is planning to either host or participate in several car seat installation events during the months of September and October. Sept. 15-21 is Child Passenger Safety Week. Travel safe! For tips click here .

Questions? Contact DuJuan at dhord@mchc.net

Mid America Immunization Coalition's
ANNUAL IMMUNIZATION SYMPOSIUM
"Vaccines: Then and Now"
Friday, October 25, 2019
7:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Children's Mercy Park
1 Sporting Way
Kansas City KS 66111

This multi-state symposium is designed for professional health care workers and focuses on the continuing need for vaccines, as well as issues related to vaccine safety and misinformation. Historical review of vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccines across the lifespan, vaccine practice issues and the future of vaccines will all be explored at this all-day symposium. The event is being held again this year, by popular demand, at the beautiful Children's Mercy Park conference facility. The registration fee is only $65 before Sept. 27 , and includes all conference materials, breakfast, lunch and snacks. Don't miss it!

Registration is NOW OPEN - sign up today!
Coming Events - Mark Your Calendar

Fall Flu Clinics MAIC is planning a series of flu clinics again this fall, as a collaboration with Walgreens, and funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Region VII. Check the website- we will be posting the schedule in the next week or two. Help us to publicize and make these events a success.

Wednesday, Sept. 4 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Mid America Immunization Coalition (MAIC) Quarterly Meeting Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Please join us for a timely update on influenza for this season. Also, your input is needed as we discuss the way forward on the MAIC priority areas: social media outreach, child vaccines, adult vaccines and membership development. Please come and share your ideas! REGISTER HERE

Friday, Oct. 25 Annual MAIC Symposium "Vaccines Then and Now" ( REGISTER HERE) See above for details.
 
Friday, November 15 8:00 -11:30 a.m. Mother & Child Health Coalition Quarterly Meeting (the Annual Legislative Meeting). Registration will be available in the October newsletter.

Partner Event: 2019 Breastfeeding Conference Oct. 24 & 25, Wichita KS

To Our Members, Volunteers and Partners, for all your support: We appreciate you.

The following wonderful people recently joined or renewed their membership:

NEW MEMBERS : Ashley Germany Coyle and Samantha Lee Peck: WELCOME!
RENEWING: Amy Marks .


Do you know someone else in your organization who would benefit from membership in MCHC? Invite them to JOIN TODAY at www.mchc.net.

THANK YOU!! 
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Mother & Child Health Coalition
(816) 283-6242 | (816) 283-0307 Fax
info@mchc.net
www.mchc.net