August 2021
Texas Perinatal Services News
Join the Texas Perinatal Services Team as a Perinatal Program Director
The Texas EMS, Trauma and Acute Care Foundation (TETAF) is searching for an exceptional leader in perinatal care to support its perinatal division, Texas Perinatal Services. 

Learn more about the opportunity and submit a resume by clicking the button below.
Texas Perinatal Services Announces the New Texas Intermittent Auscultation Collaborative
Texas Perinatal Services announces it has been awarded a grant for a three month planning project to develop a statewide, multi-facility collaborative.

The Texas Intermittent Auscultation Collaborative (TIAC) is a joint project planned by Texas Perinatal Services, the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement, and Primary Maternity Care to increase the safe use of intermittent auscultation (IA). The project targets hospitals and birth centers in Texas, with a goal of being a replicable model for other statewide or multi-state collaboratives.

Safe and effective implementation of IA will require focused, sustained efforts to overcome barriers and ingrained practices. Some of the recommended steps to overcome barriers include high-quality training, standardized communication and documentation, and electronic health record systems configuration. TIAC will focus on these aspects with partnering hospitals and birth centers.

An information session will take place via Zoom on August 5 at 11:00 a.m. CST. If your hospital may have interest in participating in this project, please register to attend the information session.
Maternal and Neonatal News
Perinatal Advisory Council Applications Due August 12
The deadline for applications to serve as a member on the Perinatal Advisory Council (PAC) has been extended to August 12. 

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will consider applicants' qualifications, background, and interest in serving on the council. HHSC also considers applicants ethnicity, gender, and geographic location to ensure diverse representation of all Texans.
Next Perinatal Advisory Council Meeting Set for September
The next Perinatal Advisory Council (PAC) meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2021 and will be virtual via Microsoft Teams.

Learn more about the PAC and register for the next meeting on the PAC webpage.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission to Provide Update on House Bill 133
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide an update on House Bill (HB) 133, 87th Legislature in the State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee (SMMCAC) meeting on August 11, 2021. View the meeting agenda and join the meeting here. 

HHSC will conduct stakeholder engagement for HB 133 in future SMMCAC meetings.
Maternal and Child Health Unit to Host Virtual Speaker Series
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Maternal and Child Health Unit will host a three-part virtual speaker series during August. The series is inspired by The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Improve Maternal Health.

The first series is August 4 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Register here to attend the series.
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month and this week is World Breastfeeding Week. 

Here are five great benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby.
SAVE THE DATE: Texas Perinatal Forum is August 30
The next Texas Perinatal Forum will be on Monday, August 30 at 1:00 p.m. CST. The topic is "Postpartum Depression and Auditing Documentation."

If you are not already signed up to join the forums and would like to attend, please email Erin Moore at emoore@tetaf.org.