During this session, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s (MCHB) Associate Administrator, Dr. Michael Warren, provided an overview of the MCHB strategic plan, the Infant Health Equity initiative, and the Healthy Start program’s accomplishments. The presentation highlighted the Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services’ (DHSPS) role in the MCHB strategic plan, and Healthy Start’s contributions to achieving health equity.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand MCHB’s strategic goals
• Be able to illustrate a road map to achieving infant health equity
• Learn about Healthy Start’s accomplishments

Speakers:

Michael Warren Associate Administrator, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Community Care Initiative (AIM CCI) is taking a unique approach to improving maternal health outcomes by partnering directly with local community organizations. Local organizations understand the unique experiences and unmet social needs of women / birthing persons in their region. Through this partnership, AIM CCI seeks to build a culture and structure of health care that ensures birthing persons receive equitable treatment based on all of their needs. During this session, the AIM CCI Leadership Team of NHSA provided an overview of AIM CCI, including its goals, current activities, and connection with and potential impact for Healthy Start communities.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand the goals of AIM CCI
• Understand the connection between AIM CCI and Healthy Start
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with AIM CCI.

Speakers:

T. Ashley Calderone, Clincial Implementation Manager, AIM CCI, National Healthy Start Association (NHSA)

Lidyvez Sawyer, Equity Implementation Strategist, AIM CCI, National Healthy Start Association (NHSA)

Karen A. Chustz, Senior Program Manager, AIM CCI, National Healthy Start Association (NHSA)

Saanie Sulley, MD, PhD, MBA Data Manager and Analyst, AIM CCI, National Healthy Start Association (NHSA)

With support from MCHB’s Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services (DHSPS), the Healthy Start TA & Support Center (TASC) is pleased to offer a variety of mental health training opportunities to Healthy Start staff members. This session shared an overview of TASC’s various mental health training and support offerings, including the Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training; Shades of Blue’s INSPIRE Training; the Trauma-Informed, Resilience-Oriented, and Equitable Care Community of Practice (TIROE CoP); and the Postpartum Support International (PSI) Healthy Start Staff Support Groups, among others. Healthy Start staff members who have participated in these offerings will share their experiences and DHSPS’ Behavioral Health Lead, Dawn Levinson, MSW, will discuss the role of mental and behavioral health within Healthy Start.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Learn about the TA & Support Center’s various mental and behavioral health offerings
• Understand the usefulness of these trainings to their everyday work with Healthy Start clients
• Understand the process of learning about and applying for training opportunities.

Speakers:

Olivia Giordano Kean, MPH Project Manager, Healthy Start TA & Support Center (TASC), National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ)

Duane L. Herron, Maternal and Child Health Supervisor/Director, Lucas County Healthy Start, Toledo-Lucas County Health Department

Tashonna Perry, Case Manager, MomsFirst Healthy Start

Dawn Levinson, MSW Behavioral Health Lead, Interim Deputy Director, Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services (DHSPS), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Sunny Jones, Public Health Educator, Syracuse Healthy Start

Wendy N. Davis, PhD, PMH-C Executive Director, Postpartum Support International (PSI)

During this session, HRSA Grants Management Specialist, Tonya Randall, shared essential information related to managing Healthy Start grants, including helpful tips and reminders. Specifically, she discussed the Notice of Award (NoA), Expanded Authority, and Prior Approvals, such as carryover and revised budget requests.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Develop a deeper understanding of NoAs, Expanded Authority, and Prior Approvals
• Learn helpful tips related to grants management
• Hear reminders related to grants management.

Speakers:
Tonya Randall, Grants Management Specialist, Office of Financial Assistance Management (OFAM), Division of Grants Management Operations, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Cardora Barnes, Acting Team Lead and Project Officer, Division of Healthy Start and Perinatal Services (DHSPS),
Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

During this session, Dr. Richard Cho, Senior Advisor for Housing and Services at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, discussed the link between maternal and child health and housing status. Emerging research in this space was summarized and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration was presented.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Describe cross-sector emerging policies and practices that highlight the connection between housing and maternal and child health.
• Identify at least one opportunity to incorporate housing as a social determinant of health into programming.

Speakers:

Richard Cho, PhD Senior Advisor for Housing and Services, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD)