MO Maternal Health Action Network

08/07/2025

MOMS Groups in August!! Use the QR Code to sign-up

08/07/2025

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded our Callaway County WIC program with the 2025 Gold WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence!

The award recognizes local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities.

In 2025 there were: 122 Gold Award Recipients across the country - 9 of those were in Missouri 😃😃😃

Our department is honored to be one of the recipients this year!

08/06/2025

🌟 Calling all volunteers!

Friday in Jefferson City, we’re packing Free EC kits – getting emergency contraception (EC) into the hands of people who need it, for free.

It’s a simple, hands-on way to protect reproductive freedom and expand access across our region.

📦 Join us! Your help makes a real impact.
👇 Sign up now – link in comments.

08/06/2025

Stigma keeps too many people from getting the help they deserve.

Our SASI report found that more than half of Americans wouldn’t hire someone with a substance use disorder, and many still see them as “untrustworthy.”

The Shatterproof Addiction Stigma Index is changing that. This first-of-its-kind survey is helping the nation measure, track, and reduce stigma.

See the full 2024 report: shatterproof.org/SASI 💙

08/06/2025

that substance use isn't always a reason to stop breastfeeding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says moms in treatment, like those in supervised methadone programs who test negative for HIV and other drugs, can safely breastfeed.
Source:https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/ResourceManual%20rev%204-17-18.pdf

Every situation is unique, and decisions should balance the benefits of breastfeeding with any potential risks. ❤️



Learn more at https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/resources/substance-use-and-medication-safety

FIND TREATMENT
Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Locator: findtreatment.samhsa.gov/

Alcohol Treatment Navigator: alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/

For more information, contact mo_actionnetwork@umkc.edu

08/06/2025

Make sure to register for the Missouri Maternal Health Action Network's 3rd Annual Summit! You definitely want to be in the room for this. ✨

DATE: Friday, September 26, 2025
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Orlando’s Event Center (2050 Dorsett Village Plaza, Maryland Heights, MO 63043)

Register and book your stay by visiting https://moactionnetwork.org/event/missouri-maternal-health-action-networks-3rd-annual-summit/

For more information, contact mo_actionnetwork.edu

Don't miss out! Register today to attend the Action Network's 3rd Annual Summit. This year's theme is ‘Bridging the Gaps: Policy, Advocacy, and Prevention for Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders’ will center on maternal mental health and substance use disorders, with a focus on policy change, advocacy, and prevention.

The Summit aims to highlight the voices of those with lived experiences, facilitate insightful discussion, share groundbreaking ideas, create networking opportunities, and foster cross-system collaboration to drive systems change and improve behavioral health outcomes for mothers, children, and families affected by perinatal substance use. The dress code for the event is comfortable and casual (shirts, jeans, T-shirts, etc.). Breakfast and lunch will be provided for Summit attendees.

DATE: Friday, September 26, 2025
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Orlando’s Event Center (2050 Dorsett Village Plaza, Maryland Heights, MO 63043)

Register and book your stay by visiting https://moactionnetwork.org/event/missouri-maternal-health-action-networks-3rd-annual-summit/

For more information, contact mo_actionnetwork.edu

08/06/2025

Thank you, Liza Weiss, for your visionary leadership as the Founding Executive Director of Missouri Appleseed. Your impact will resonate for years to come.

08/06/2025

👪 —August is , the perfect time to check in with your young adults. Today’s youth are under real pressure, and your support can make all the difference. Let them know it’s okay to talk about stress, emotions, and mental health.

💚 Here are a few simple ways to start:
💬 Ask how they’re really doing
📵 Set aside screen-free time together

The conversation you start today could be the support they need tomorrow. samhsa.gov/communities-talk

08/06/2025

Did you struggle with breastfeeding following your experience with preeclampsia, eclampsia or HELLP syndrome? Research suggests you are not alone if you did. ❤️

A new study from Yale University suggests that women with high blood pressure before and during pregnancy may benefit from interventions to support breastfeeding.

"Women with an [hypertensive disorder of pregnancy] HDP had 11% higher odds of never breastfeeding and, among those who did start breastfeeding, a 17% higher probability of stopping at some point during the postpartum period. The median time for breastfeeding cessation was 17 weeks shorter for women with HDP than those without HDP. These findings suggest a negative association between HDP and breastfeeding outcomes."

Anecdotally, we know that many preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome survivors are unable to have the breastfeeding relationship they desire. We are sending love to those whom this was part of their story. ❤️

Tell us below about your breastfeeding (or not breastfeeding!) journey after your preeclampsia, eclampsia or HELLP syndrome experience. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Read more here: https://news.yale.edu/2025/07/18/study-finds-link-between-hypertension-and-breastfeeding-outcomes

08/06/2025

08/06/2025

Join us for Session 5 of the OB Readiness Summer Sprint! This learning series provides an overview of topics related to planning and assessment for OB readiness. The final offering, “Obstetric Care Assessment for Resource Limited Environments” will be held August 13th from 3:00 PM-4:15 PM (EST) and will discuss opportunities to improve care for pregnant and postpartum people in Emergency Departments.

Learn more and register here: https://saferbirth.org/aim-resources/communities-of-learning/cols-2022-2023/

08/05/2025

St. Louis Housing Authority will be opening the wait-list for Public Housing from Tuesday, August 19 at 8:00 am through Monday, August 25 at 11:59 pm for online applications only. See flyer for details or go to https://www.slha.org/ for more info.