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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
HUB UPDATES
MCH Services: MCH has launched a new informational page for LPHAs on the Hub. Look for "MCH Services" in the top menu.
New social media content for September is now available on the Resource Library.
DHSS UPDATES
Fall Regional Meetings: Save the date for the session you plan to attend.
- Oct. 14 - Cole County
- Oct. 15 - Adair County
- Oct. 16 - Clinton County
- Oct. 21 - Webster County
- Nov. 4 - Madison County
DHSS Director’s message, Aug 28
Governor Kehoe has appointed Catherine Hanaway as Attorney General, after Andrew Bailey resigned to serve at the FBI. Hanaway served as the state’s first, and only, female Speaker of the House and now serves as our first female Attorney General. Learn more
Mental Health First Aid virtual course is available October 9th. Learn more
A few seats have opened up for the October 6 – 8 Leadership Challenge Courses hosted by iLead USA. Courses will be held in Clayton/St. Louis. If you are interested in attending, contact Tiffany Bayer as soon as possible at Tiffany.Bayer@health.mo.gov or 573-522-2874.
The Missouri Transportation Task Force Advisory Committee is teaming up with the Missouri Complete Streets Advisory Committee to champion better transportation and safer streets for all Missourians. (press release)
Changes are coming soon to the way the Friday Facts is delivered to your inbox. In an effort to streamline the subscription and delivery processes, the Friday Facts will be distributed through GovDelivery. All who are currently receiving it will automatically be included in the distribution, and all the same great content will continue to be included!
The DHSS Warehouse is no longer accepting faxes for literature orders. Find ordering procedures and the Request for Literature Form on the DHSS website.
LPHA Update Call – Aug 26 (recording)
Laura Bennet-Smith and Lisa Cox, ADA Website Updates Required, DHSS Website Changes, and Gov Delivery Information (summary)
Additional links from Lisa Cox:
https://at.mo.gov/it-access/
https://at.mo.gov/ict-electronic-documents/
https://at.mo.gov/ict-plain-language/
https://www.w3.org/WAI/perspective-videos/
InDesign: https://www.adobe.com/max/2023/sessions/na-designing-with-accessibility-in-mind-with-creat-vs302.html
https://hemingwayapp.com/
Missouri Assisted Technology
Angie Oesterly – SPIRIT Web implementation (new WIC participant MIS), Food list change for October 1, and FFY 26 budget (no nonessential capital improvements for FFY 26 and targeted outreach strategies). (summary)
New state laws take effect today, August 28, unless otherwise noted in the legislation. New health care laws include:
- 191.648 RSMo modifies existing law to expand expedited partner therapy for all designated sexually transmitted infections.
- 191.1145 RSMo modifies existing law to clarify "telehealth" or "telemedicine" shall include health care services through audiovisual and audio-only technologies.
- 208.152 RSMo modifies existing law to allow medically necessary hearing aids or cochlear implants for any qualifying individual on Medicaid.
- 210.030 RSMo modifies existing law to require blood testing and treatment, with patient consent, at 28-weeks of pregnancy and post birth for syphilis, hepatitis B and C, HIV, or other similar diseases.
- 376.1240 RSMo is a new section of law that allows insurance to cover a multi-month supply of birth control.
NEWS
News items are posted for your situational awareness only and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of either DHSS or OPHI. News stories behind pay walls will not be included in order to ensure fair access to all.
8/27/2025: Some federally funded sex ed programs instructed to remove any mention of gender identity or transgender people, or risk losing federal funding (link)
8/27/2025: CDC Director Susan Monarez exits along with other agency leaders (link)
8/27/2025: FDA approves updated COVID shots for some people and limitations for many Americans (link)
8/18/2025: Missouri rural health experiencing longer drives, longer waits, and fading trust (link)
RESOURCES
Report on US obesity rate differences between rural and urban residents, Amber Waves, 8/5/2025 (link)
New AI tool from County Health Rankings and Roadmaps helps users explore the What Works for Public Health database of more than 400 strategies to improve health and equity. Learn more
Overdose prevention policies: In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, The Network for Public Health Law has identified seven policies with the potential to improve overdose prevention and advance the health of people who use drugs across the U.S. The policy brief covers a wide range of areas, including well known, evidence-based harm reduction strategies and frameworks, as well as more novel policies that intersect climate change and drug policy. Learn more
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES
Aug. 21-Sept. 11, WebEOC trainings around the state start August 21 and run through Sept 11. See the schedule and register for a training near you. (link)
Sept 4, 2025, 12:00 pm, Enhancing Dental Access in Rural Missouri, hosted by Missouri Rural Health Association. Explore strategies to improve dental care access across rural Missouri, with insights for FQHCs, rural clinics, health care professionals, community workers, policymakers, and community leaders. Register
Sept 4, 2:00 pm, Succession Planning, part 1: Building the Case, hosted by ASTHO. Demystifies succession planning and discusses how it aligns with agency goals and workforce strategies. Register
Sept 10, 12:00 pm, Communications Lunch and Learn, Learn about a new DHSS campaign focused on anti-stigmatizing messaging around overdose prevention from the Division of Community and Public Health.
Sept 11, 11:00 am, How will states implement Medicaid work requirements, hosted by Health Wonk Shop. Panelists will consider important implementation questions and challenges that states will face in the coming months and years as they implement Medicaid work requirements. Register
Sept 11, 1:00 – 2:30 pm, Unlocking and Building Emotional Intelligence Skills, hosted by ASTHO. Session one in a 3-part leadership workshop focused on developing self-awareness, social understanding, and relationship management. Learn how to effectively manage emotions and enhance interpersonal skills to build and maintain healthy connections. Register
Sept 16 - 17, Missouri Rural Health Conference, Camdenton, MO. Learn more and register
Sept 16 - 18, Public Health Law Conference, Seattle, WA. View sessions and register
Sept 17, 12:00 pm, Closing Healthcare Communication Gaps with AI, hosted by Becker’s Hospital Review. Discover how AI-driven communications are transforming patient interactions, streamlining operations and supporting HIPAA compliance. Register
Sept 18, 2:00 pm, Succession Planning, part 2: Laying the Groundwork, hosted by ASTHO. Focus on the stages of developing a succession plan, including how to use staff survey data to inform planning efforts. Register
Sept 23 - 25, Annual Joint Public Health Conference, "It Starts Here: Investing in Public Health." Hosted by MPHA, Section for Public Health Nursing, DHSS, MOCPHE, and MICH. Register
Oct 2, 2:00 pm, Succession Planning, part 3: Putting the Plan into Action, hosted by ASTHO. Walk through a phased implementation approach for succession planning. Register
Oct 14 – 15, Introductory Capitol Workshop, hosted by Missouri Foundation for Health. The workshop provides an overview of Missouri state government and appropriate ways to engage policymakers. Participants learn the legislative process, participate in a mock hearing, and discuss how to effectively build relationships with lawmakers. MFH pays for hotel, mileage, and meals. Register
Oct 29 – 30, TEEX: Medical Countermeasures: Point of Dispensing (POD), Planning and Response, Springfield, MO. Hosted by the Region D LPHA administrators. Learn how to coordinate plans to provide mass distribution of medical countermeasures in response to a large-scale public health incident in order to meet CDC’s 48-hour standard. There is no cost to attend, but class size is limited to 35 participants. Register
Nov 13, Annual Missouri Advocates' Retreat, hosted by Missouri Foundation for Health. Learn how to build relationships with elected officials, how to be creative with coalition building, and organizing and advocacy skills. Learn more about this free event. Register
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