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According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker, as of February 1, over 16.4 million Medicaid and CHIP enrollees nationwide have been disenrolled and lost their coverage. Over 70% of people are losing coverage because of paperwork reasons, such as missing notices from the state Medicaid office and an inability to produce wage statements. Out of the states reporting age breakouts, children accounted for 38% of Medicaid disenrollments.  Our latest MCH Bridges episode highlights the human experiences of what these alarming statistics mean for families across the country and emphasizes the role of leaders in maternal and child health (MCH) during this ongoing issue. Guest host Atyya Chaudhry dives into the stories of those with lived experience of losing Medicaid coverage and what organizations like the Florida Health Justice Project are doing to make an impact.  Tune in to these important conversations with our guests Janis Fay and Alison Yager, who share their experiences and insight, as well as action steps that MCH advocates and individuals who are experiencing coverage loss can take. Resources:  AMCHP Resource Library: Promoting MCH Coverage Children with Medical Handicaps (referenced in the episode) Lily’s Story & Christina’s Story (referenced in the episode) AMCHP Blog Post: The Medicaid Unwinding Process at the Halfway Mark: How Can MCH Advocates Address the Current Challenges to Ensure Continuity of Coverage for Children and Families?AMCHP Blog Post: MCH Advocates are Alarmed About the Rapid Loss of Child and Family Coverage in the Medicaid Redetermination Process Florida Health Justice Project - Medicaid | The Lived Experience: Unwinding the Continuous Coverage Requirement

November is National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. Severe weather, extreme temperatures, and natural disasters present vastly increased challenges for homeless communities. Listen to our latest MCH Bridges and What the Health?! crossover episode, led by AMCHP’s Youth Voice Amplified (YVA) committee, to learn about how climate change is directly affecting people experiencing homelessness. You’ll hear from guest hosts Mitra Kashani, environmental public health scientist, and Lisa Brooks, expert in the homelessness system, as they share what homelessness can look like from an individual and systems-level perspective – confronting common misconceptions, emphasizing the impacts of climate change on marginalized and rural communities, and highlighting the opportunities to address this issue by partnering with and centering people with lived experience.   Tune in now to listen to guest host Amber Woodside and speakers Lisa and Mitra as they share their lived experiences and professional insights. In addition, as we enter into this season of giving and gratitude, consider ways you might be able to give back to your community members experiencing homelessness, especially youth. Disclaimer: This episode discusses topics of climate change, natural disasters, loss, death, discrimination, and homelessness. Please prioritize your mental health and consider if you are ready to listen to this episode. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. You can also sign up to join virtual sharing and listening sessions for people experiencing climate anxiety at www.climateawakening.org. Additionally, the findings and conclusions in this podcast shared by Mitra Kashani are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Resources:  YVA Resource Kit Study From Abt Projects: Thousands of Additional Deaths Each Year Due to Climate Change-Induced Heat Report: Climate Change and the Los Angeles’ Homelessness Response System SAMHSA Homelessness Programs & Resources  HHS Homelessness Programs & Resources Guide: Make a Homeless Care Package That Actually Helps Assemble Care Kits for the Homeless 

Listen to this MCH Bridges episode to hear three members of The Adolescent Champion Teen Advisory Council (TAC TAC), Melanie Avila, Fanta Guindo, and Yeina Han, share what adolescent and young adult mental health looks like in their communities, what they have experienced, and what needs to change. This episode talks about important concepts like positive youth development, youth-friendly services, and culturally competent care. It also identifies strategies for addressing barriers to youth seeking and accessing mental health services. This episode discusses mental health issues and mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please dial 988 immediately to call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Additionally, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746). TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988 or 1-833-943-5746. Both services are free, confidential, and available 24/7. Resources: ·      AMCHP’s Adolescent Health Current Initiatives ·       Adolescent Health Initiative ·       The Adolescent Champion Teen Advisory Council (TAC TAC) ·       Emerging Topical Issues in Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health (AMCHP Learning Module) ·       Innovation in Mental Health Service Delivery (AMCHP Learning Module)  ·       Integration of Mental Health into Primary Care for Adolescents and Young Adults (AMCHP Learning Module) ·       MCH Workforce Capacity and Skillsets for Improving Mental Health Care Systems for AYAs (AMCHP Learning Module)  ·       Screen to Intervene (AMCHP’s blog dedicated to Adolescent & Young Adult Mental Health)

In this MCH Bridges, we talk with AMCHP’s State Public Health Autism Resource Center’s (SPHARC) Autistic Faculty about the Autistic experience in a world that is centered around neurotypical people. You’ll hear from Autistic Faculty members Dave Caudel, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, and Haley Moss about neurodiversity, ways that Autistic and non-Autistic people are similar and how we are all connected as humans, and what celebrating autistic joy means to them. Resources:  Frist Center for Autism and Innovation   Morénike Giwa Onaiwu’s information and frequently asked questions page   Morenike Giwa Onaiwu resources page  Haley Moss’ website   SPHARC team (SPHARC@amchp.org) and SPHARC website   Autistic Self-Advocacy Network   Autistic Representation Database  Autistic Archive  Autistic Community and the Neurodiversity Movement 

This bonus episode captures the experience of attending the AMCHP Annual Conference from a variety of perspectives. As past attendees, our guest speakers shared what they learned, some pro tips for taking advantage of conference opportunities, and why it's important that we encourage and support youth and young adults, family leaders, community-rooted organizations, tribal government representatives, and students and early career professionals to attend the AMCHP Annual Conference. You’ll hear from Katherine Harvey, representing the perspective of a young adult leader, and Dana Yarbrough, a family leader and proud parent of a daughter with disabilities and special healthcare needs. You will also hear from Quatia (Q) Osorio, doula and founder of Our Journ3i, and Xenia Mendez, alumna of our Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP) representing students and early career professionals. Conference links (updated) Register for AMCHP 2024Visit our conference platform Explore the conference theme Support CBOs, tribal entity representatives, family leaders, and youth at AMCHP 2024 Resources   Center for Family Involvement Parent to Parent USA  Family to Family Health Information Centers  Our Journ3i, LLC 

This interview episode highlights the journeys of Kimarie and Dalecia as they found their passion and purpose in helping lactating persons achieve their breastfeeding goals. Intertwining lived experience and the desire to make a difference, you will hear how Dalecia and Kimarie found their calling in breastfeeding work. You will learn about how breastfeeding has been a healing journey and a way to reconnect with our past. You will also hear about the ongoing challenges in accessing adequate and culturally appropriate breastfeeding, especially for black and brown communities. Guests:  Dr. Kimarie Bugg, Chief Empowerment Office and Change Leader, Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere, Inc. (ROSE) Dalecia Young, Founder and Full Spectrum Doula, Due North Support Services  Resources:  Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere, Inc (ROSE) La Leche League  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Breastfeeding Resources Library  American Academy of Pediatrics Breastfeeding Resources  WIC Breastfeeding Support  

This episode highlights the lived experiences of families who have experienced a stillbirth. You’ll hear from Jasmine Abraham and Nneka Hall, who share their personal experiences after Jasmine’s son Qasem and Nneka’s daughter Annaya were born still. You’ll also hear from Rose Horton, a nurse and Executive Director of Women and Infant Services at Emory Decatur Hospital who also created #NotOnMyWatch. You’ll learn about what stillbirth is and what we know about risk factors and prevention. The episode also discusses the short- and long-term impacts of the loss of a baby and what supports and systems-levels changes are needed. Content warning: This episode is about stillbirth and shares personal stories about pregnancy & infant loss. It discusses mental health challenges and mentions suicide. Much of the episode will be emotionally challenging and content shared in the episode could bring up past traumatic experiences. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please dial 988 immediately to call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746). TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988 or 1-833-943-5746. Both services are free, confidential, and available 24/7. Resources: · Count the Kicks Count the Kicks (CTK) is an evidence-based stillbirth prevention program and an AMCHP Best Practice. In the first 10 years of their campaign in Iowa (2008-2018), the state's stillbirth rate went down 32% while rates in the rest of the country remained relatively stagnant. Visit their website to learn how you can bring CTK to your state by becoming an expansion state. · Still Birthday · Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep · Quietly United In Loss Together founded by Nneka Hall (www.annaya.org) · Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support – find support in your state · Return to Zero Hope · Still Standing Magazine · Pregnancy After Loss Support · Star Legacy Foundation Legislation: · Raising the Volume - Ending the Silent Epidemic of Stillbirth congressional briefing · National Stillbirth Prevention Day · Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education for Autumn Act of 2022 · Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2022 Common acronyms or terms you may hear in the loss community: · Sunshine baby: baby born before a loss · Angel baby: baby who has passed away · Rainbow baby: baby born or conceived after a loss · Heaven born: baby who was stillborn  · Earth born: baby who was born alive · PAIL: Pregnancy and infant loss · PAL: Pregnancy after loss · SIL: Sister/sista/sistah in loss

In this special episode, AMCHP's MCH Bridges teams up with the Maternal Health Innovation podcast to explore maternal health policy successes, challenges and opportunities.  Guest host Laura Powis, AMCHP's Evidence-Based Policy and Practice Program Manager, is joined by Indra Lusero, founder of the Elephant Circle; Demetra Seriki, Midwife at A Mother's Choice Midwifery; and George Davis V, a community member on Elephant Circle's Birth Equity Implementation Steering Committee to discuss Colorado's Birth Equity Bill Package. This recently passed legislation is a comprehensive and community-led response to the maternal health crisis designed to increase access and decrease inequities in obstetric care in the state. Additional Resources: AMCHP's MCH Innovations Database: Colorado Birth Equity Bill PackagePolicy Development HandoutElephant Circle: Birth Equity Bill Package SummaryMaternal Health Learning & Innovation Center: Policy ResourcesHave you been involved in the development, implementation, or evaluation of  a policy that benefits MCH populations? Share  it with your peers through AMCHP's Innovation Hub! Learn more and submit your work here.

In this episode, we are joined by Leo Andreas (he/him) and Jenna "JB" Brown (they/he) to explore the unique perinatal mental health experiences of queer, trans, and gender non-conforming people. Leo, a dad of a two-year-old, shares his mental health experiences of his journey to parenthood. And JB, a full-spectrum doula and community educator, explains the positive impact person-centered, radically inclusive care can have on the mental health of queer, trans, and gender non-conforming people during the perinatal period.  This episode discusses mental health issues and mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Additionally, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746). TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988 or 1-833-943-5746. Both services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.  Resources:  National LGBTQ Task Force: Queering Reproductive Justice: A Toolkit RTZ Hope: LGBTQ+ Families Family Equality National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center Postpartum Support International: Help for Queer and Trans Parents International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: LGBTQ2S+ childbearing individuals and perinatal mental health: A systematic review Youth Voices Amplified Podcast (the most recent episodes cover reproductive justice and anti-LGBTQ+ laws)  Mom and Mind Podcast: Transgender and Gender Queer Perinatal Mental HealthPlease complete this short survey to share input on the episode and let us know who or what you’d like to hear about on future episodes: https://bit.ly/MCHBridgesPilot.   

This episode highlights the effects of structural racism and the history of our food system in the United States. It discusses the demonization of cultural foods, the use of Eurocentric dietary standards as the primary baseline for nutrition recommendations, and how these continue to contribute to the gap in nutrition inequality we see today.  Tune in now to hear from guest speaker Sadé Meeks as she shares her concept of food as resistance and how we can empower communities through a holistic approach in the interconnected complexity of identity and food.   As a subsequent part of this episode, AMCHP is inviting our listeners to watch Sadé’s documentary “Food as Resistance” [request free access code] and join us for the first-ever “Creating the Connections: MCH Bridges After-Episode” on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT [register]. This event will be moderated by AMCHP staff and will be joined live by Sadé, who will discuss your thoughts and reflections on the “Food as Resistance” documentary. Additional Resources:  More on the exclusion of Black Farmers in the U.S.:   'Rampant issues': Black farmers are still left out at USDA .Politico, Bustillo (2021).  Water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi:   *This episode was recorded prior to the Jackson, MS water crisis receiving national media attention, we encourage our listeners to learn more about this issue and support in whatever way you can by visiting the links below.  'They let us down': Water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, flows from systemic racism . Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Schrader (2022).   Ways To Help: Jackson Water Crisis . Community Foundation For Mississippi (2022).

This episode explores the unique experiences of unaccompanied immigrant children (UICs) and the ways in which immigration impacts mental health. The Young Center, an organization dedicated to promoting immigrant children’s rights, ensures the safety and best interests of unaccompanied children in United States custody by advocating for them as they navigate the immigration system. In this episode, José Ortiz-Rosales, Deputy Director of the Young Center’s Child Advocate Program, and Anne Kelsey, Policy Analyst for Disability Rights at the Young Center, offer their perspectives on opportunities for the public health field to better support unaccompanied minors’ mental and physical health needs. Resources: American Academy of Pediatrics: Immigrant Child Health ToolkitNational Partnership for Women & Families: A Systemic Failure: Immigrant Moms and Babies are Being Denied Health Care National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights: Education, Capacity Building & Community ResourcesAmnesty International: Pushed into Harm’s WayJournal of Technology in Behavioral Science: The Refugee and Immigrant Core Stressors Toolkit (RICST): Understanding the Multifaceted Needs of Refugee and Immigrant Youth and Families Through a Four Core Stressors FrameworkPlease complete this short survey to share input on the episode and let us know who or what you’d like to hear about on future episodes: https://bit.ly/MCHBridgesPilot.  

This episode explores the unique experience of pregnant people navigating substance use disorders and the criminal justice system. Jenna’s Project, a program of UNC Horizons, works to support people in recovery at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women. In this episode, a mom shares her journey navigating incarceration while pregnant and recovering from a substance use disorder, and Essence Hairston, the program’s clinical instructor, offers her perspective on opportunities for the public health field to better support pregnant people who use substances. Resources: Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts: Integrating Obstetrical and Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum People in PrisonPrison Policy Initiative: What role does drug enforcement play in the rising incarceration of women?National Advocates for Pregnant Women: Punishing Pregnant Drug-Using Women: Defying Law, Medicine, and Common Sense Guttmacher Institute: State Laws and Policies on Substance Use During Pregnancy