Missouri’s leading health official appointed to two national policy committees

September 30, 2022

News Release: Missouri’s leading he3alth official appointed to two national policy committees

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Paula Nickelson, acting director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), has been appointed as Vice Chair of the Performance Improvement and Accreditation Policy Committee for ASTHO, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Additionally, Nickelson has been appointed to ASTHO’s Preparedness Policy Committee. Both terms are effective through August of 2023.

“I am looking forward to serving in these roles and advocating for the public health system at the national level,” said Nickelson. “Preparedness and performance improvement are both areas in which our state and national public health systems have great opportunities to make significant progress as we pursue the collective goal of protecting and promoting health across the nation.”

This month, DHSS and the Missouri Hospital Association have been observing National Preparedness Month, encouraging Missourians to be prepared for any type of disaster. Additionally, this year marks 20 years of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) cooperative agreement, which has been a critical source of funding for health departments to build and strengthen their abilities to effectively respond to a range of public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events. Preparedness activities funded by the PHEP cooperative agreement specifically target the development of emergency-ready public health departments that are flexible and adaptable.

The Performance Improvement and Accreditation Policy Committee provides leadership and recommendations in the areas of policy, practice, and research to strengthen the ability of ASTHO members and partners to deliver quality public health services and improve health outcomes. The committee provides strategic direction in performance management, quality improvement, accreditation, data to action, financing, return on investment, and workforce research.

The Public Health Preparedness Policy Committee provides a critical link with and represents ASTHO’s best interests to senior leadership of key federal agencies and programs in the preparedness, response, recovery, and community resilience space. The Committee analyzes and provides insightful information to guide the formulation of national policy and strategy, with specific focus on all-hazards public health infrastructure needs, strengthening state and territorial public health readiness capacity and capabilities, and in fulfilling the requirements of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act and the National Health Security Strategy, among other issues.

ASTHO is a national non-profit organization representing public health agencies in the United States, the U.S. Territories, the District of Columbia, and the over 100,000 public health professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, formulate and influence sound public health policy and ensure excellence in state based public health practice. The Board of the ASTHO primary function is to track, evaluate and advise members on the impact and formation of public or private health policy which may affect them and to provide, and them with guidance and technical assistance on improving the nation’s health.

 

HHS Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs

September 29,2022

White House Convening on American Rescue Plan Community Health Workforce Investments

The White House invites you to attend a virtual convening on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 10:00 AM ET to highlight the American Rescue Plan’s historic investments in the community health workforce.

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, the Biden-Harris Administration has made the largest one-time investment in the community health workforce, which is deploying tens of thousands of people over the coming years into underserved communities to address health disparities, COVID-19, and other health needs exacerbated by the pandemic. These efforts include training and deploying Community Health Workers – an evidence-based, cost-effective intervention to improve population health and strengthen health systems.

Date: Friday, September 30th
Time: 10:00 AM ET
Register for the briefing here

This event will feature Biden-Harris Administration officials, members of Congress, local elected officials, community-based organizations, and workers, including:

  • Gene Sperling, White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator and Senior Advisor to the President
  • Carole Johnson, Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration
  • U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
  • Congressman David Trone (MD-06)
  • Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot

2022 Rural Health Equity and Quality Summit

September 29, 2022

2022 Rural Health Equity and Quality Summit

With the support of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the National Rural Health Resource Center’s Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP) held a virtual summit in June 2022. The Rural Health Equity and Quality Summit convened nationally recognized content experts in rural health care policy, health equity, value-based care, and clinical quality to explore the role small rural hospitals and rural health clinics play in achieving health equity. 

The Summit Report will assist rural hospitals, clinics, and network leaders on their path to value-based care and alternative payment models by offering actionable steps on how to maximize available resources and data, and provide solutions for achieving rural health equity.

Read the Full Report

FREE opportunity! Registration is open for the 2022 3RNET Academy “Guiding Your Recruitment for Retention Process.”

September 28, 2022

FREE opportunity! Registration is open for the 2022 3RNET Academy “Guiding Your Recruitment for Retention Process.”

The 2022 Rural Recruitment and Retention Network (3RNet) Academy “Guiding Your Recruitment for Retention Process” is a new 6-part FREE webinar learning opportunity.  Enjoy anytime/anywhere access to materials and recorded sessions. See the Academy website for additional details and how to register. Even if you are not available for the live sessions, by registering you can watch the sessions later and have access to all materials and resources.

Please take advantage of this FREE opportunity.  To waive the $500 fee, use the coupon code MO3RNET22, during checkout.  This FREE training is made available through a partnership with Missouri Health Professional Placement Services and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Office of Rural Health and Primary Care.

 

HHS Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) Weekly Monkeypox Briefing Tomorrow

September 28, 2022

Department of Health and Human Services  (HHS) Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) Weekly Monkeypox Briefing

Please join the HHS IEA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) for weekly Monkeypox briefing on Thursday at 2:00 PM EST.

Date: Every Thursday
Time: 2:00 PM EST
Register for the briefing here

Please note that webinar attendees represent a range of stakeholders with varying degrees of familiarity with Monkeypox outbreak and response. HHS IEA appreciates all of you taking the time to join these briefings and regret that while HHS IEA may be unable to answer every question submitted live due to the large number of attendees, HHS IEA will continue to use your questions to inform briefing content and update FAQs.

Additional Resources:

Missouri Rural Health Day

September 28, 2022

Missouri Rural Health Day

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, in co-sponsorship with the Missouri Primary Care Association, Missouri Rural Health Association, Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Immunization Coalition, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Missouri Area Health Education Centers and A.T. Still University Osteopathic Medical School, announces the 2nd Annual Missouri Rural Health Day to honor the noble, community-spirited nature that prevails in rural Missouri. Missouri Rural Health Day promotes the “Power of Rural” and the ongoing efforts to communicate, educate, collaborate, and innovate to improve the health of rural Missourians.  The FREE event will be held at the Governor’s Office Building, 200 Madison Street, Room 450, Jefferson City MO.  Registration will begin at 8:30 AM, presentations will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a networking buffet-style lunch provided at no cost to the attendees.

 

Please REGISTER by November 7, 2022.  

Ending Stigma Webinar

September 26, 2022

Ending Stigma: An Interfaith Discussion on Suicide Prevention

Join faith leaders from multiple religious traditions as they discuss how they are supporting people at risk for suicide and their families, and reducing its stigma in their communities. This webinar will highlight the importance of the new 988 Lifeline which makes it easier for individuals in crisis to connect with someone who can help.

Date: Wednesday, September 28th
Time: 11:00 AM ET
Register for the webinar here

Key Informant Perspectives on Supporting Health and Well-Being for LGBTQ+ Rural Residents

September 22. 2022

Key Informant Perspectives on Supporting Health and Well-Being for LGBTQ+ Rural Residents

Estimates indicate that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals make up approximately 3-5% of rural residents in the U.S., equaling approximately 3 million people. The impact of intersecting challenges related to rurality, combined with those related to sexual orientation and gender identity are not well known. More information is needed from experts focused on LGBTQ+ health on the specific challenges and opportunities related to supporting the well-being of LGBTQ+ rural residents.

This policy brief presents findings from interviews with national LGBTQ+ support organizations regarding challenges to physical and mental health and well-being for LGBTQ+ individuals in rural communities, as well as considerations for improving the ability to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals living in rural areas.

Contact Information:

Megan Lahr, MPH
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Phone: 612.624.3921
lahrx074@umn.edu

Additional Resources of Interest:

Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding Webinar

Date: September 23, 2022

You are invited to join the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the fifth webinar in the monthly partner education series on Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Continuous Enrollment Unwinding.

This month’s webinar will highlight the importance of outreach to the Latino community and immigrant families in order to prevent large coverage losses when the public health emergency ends. Featured speakers will include officials from the CMS Office of Minority Health and a guest presentation from UnidosUS.

Topics discussed during this month’s webinar will include:

  • Potential impact that Unwinding may have on the Latino community
  • Strategies and best practices on how partners are working to educate individuals and families about Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding
  • CMS resources available in additional languages

When: Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Time: 12:00-1:00 PM ET

Where: Zoom link will be provided following registration.

Who should attend: If your organization serves or interfaces with people that have health insurance through Medicaid or CHIP then this call is for YOU!  Organizations that work with the Latino community and immigrant families may find this information particularly beneficial.

RSVP: click here

NOTE: A brief review of Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding logistics will be provided at the beginning of the call. If you are unfamiliar with Unwinding, CMS encourages you to watch the recording from the May 25, 2022 webinar for more information.

The recordings, transcripts, and slide decks from the previous webinars can be found on the CMS National Stakeholders Call Webpage.

Please send all questions to PARTNERSHIP@cms.hhs.gov