Check out what’s new!
Stay tuned and get excited about all the amazing happenings in Region 8!
Birth and Beyond
Virtual
March 5th-26th
Wednesdays, 6pm-8:30pm
Postpartum Planning for Expectant Parents
Virtual
1st and 3rd Wednesdays
7pm and 7:30pm
Recent Updates
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The Maternal Infant Health Summit will be held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, in downtown Kalamazoo this year on June 17th-18th. SWMPQIC is sponsoring FIVE SCHOLARSHIPS for community members and partners to attend. If you’re interested in this scholarship opportunity, and can commit to attending both days of the Summit, please email Jacintha (jglover@mphi.org) for more information. Click HERE for more information about the summit.
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Is your organization hosting a community event? Want some SWMPQIC swag? Email alyssebreckenridge@outlook.com for more information. SWMPQIC is able to coordinate delivery to your location.
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Regional Events and Happenings
News from our partners…
Van Buren County Community Baby Shower
Van Buren County families are welcome to join the Community Baby Shower on April 29th from 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Van Buren ISD Conference Center in Paw Paw. Click HERE for the flyer.
Postpartum Support International, Michigan Chapter- Annual Day attended Capitol!
Come join us on the steps of the Capitol Friday May 30th, 12pm-2pm to uplift and advocate for the importance of perinatal mental health programs and support options.
Car Seat Safety Event
Come check out this Car Seat Safety Event at the Albion City Fire Department on June 10th. Click HERE for a flyer
Got an event you want to share? Let us know!
On our Socials…
Our facebook page is a great place to stay informed about regional events. Be sure to follow us!
MDHHS Updates
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Newborn Screening & the BioTrust: Saving Lives, Advancing Health
Michigan’s Newborn Screening (NBS) Program, required by law, screens babies for over 55 rare but serious disorders. Shortly after birth, a few drops of blood are collected from the baby’s heel and sent to the MDHHS NBS laboratory. The screening, which also includes checks for hearing loss and critical congenital heart disease, helps identify babies who may appear healthy but have medical conditions that could quickly make them very sick. Each year, more than 300 Michigan babies are found to have a disorder through NBS.
After screening, leftover blood spots are securely stored at the Michigan Neonatal Biobank. With parental consent, the BioTrust for Health oversees the use of these leftover blood spots in medical and public health research to help scientists study diseases, improve health outcomes, and advance newborn screening. Blood spots may also be used by the MDHHS NBS laboratory in quality improvement projects or requested by families for personal clinical testing. All research is carefully reviewed by the MDHHS Institutional Review Board and the BioTrust Scientific Advisory Board. Parents can update their BioTrust consent decision or remove blood spots from storage at any time.
To learn more about newborn screening, what conditions are tested, and your options for stored blood spots, visit www.Michigan.gov/NewbornScreening and www.Michigan.gov/BioTrust.
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Breastfeeding-Infant Safe Sleep Webinars: Call for Family Presenters
MDHHS will be hosting a series of Breastfeeding-Infant Safe Sleep Webinars in late Summer 2025 and is looking for family panelists to participate. The Breastfeeding-Infant Safe Sleep webinar series is designed to promote infant safe sleep and breastfeeding and will discuss how to support families. One webinar in this series will offer an opportunity to hear from breastfeeding families on their lived experiences and identify strategies that helped families successfully meet their breastfeeding goals and practice safe sleep.
If you know of a parent(s) who may want to participate, please share this opportunity with them and/or assist them with their submission.
The application must be submitted by Friday, May 9, 2025. Selected families will receive a stipend for their time.
Application Form: https://mphi.jotform.com/251054759581160
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HPV Communication Skills Training
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) program to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake in Michigan. We are excited to offer a FREE 4-module training on HPV communication skills to you! The training focuses on strategies to use when talking about the HPV vaccine with parents, caregivers, and preteens/teens.
The training is based on a 2018 National Institutes of Health funded study, called STOP-HPV, designed to identify what practice- and provider-based interventions increase HPV vaccine uptake. In the STOP-HPV study, the HPV Communication Skills Training was effective at increasing HPV vaccination. The modules are intended for both health professionals who vaccinate and health professionals who do not vaccinate, including physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical assistants, office staff, health educators, and community health workers. The four HPV Communication Skills Training modules, which are intended to be completed sequentially, include:
Module 1: An Effective Approach
Module 2: Your Confident Recommendation
Module 3: Supporting Parents in Decision-Making
Module 4: How Dental Professionals Can Help Protect Against Some Cancers
Our Michigan team is excited to share this opportunity with you! We think you will find the information and skills in the training applicable to your work, and individuals who complete the training are eligible to receive up to 3.0 CME credits through the AAP.
Feel free to contact Everly Macario, ScD, AAP PROS, emacario@aap.org, with any questions about the training.
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Measles and MMR Vaccination Information
Measles is highly contagious, making awareness and prevention essential. This animated video, featuring narration from Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, shares valuable insights on measles and the critical role of the MMR vaccine in protecting communities.
Help spread awareness by watching and sharing this video with friends, family, and community partners. Together, we can work to keep our communities safe.
For the latest information on measles in Michigan and the U.S., visit the measles updates page on the MDHHS website.
