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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
UPCOMING DUE DATES
► Feb 13: CHIP H.S.I. Net expenditure report for Quarter Ending 12-25 (October 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025)
► Feb 19: PHEP FY27 workplans due to DHSS
► Feb 27: MCH mid-year progress report due to District Nurse Consultant (DNC)
► Mar 31: MCH FFY2026 contract work plan amendments due to DNC
► May 1: Deadline to submit documentation for Incentives program through CLPHS
DHSS UPDATES
► Master Plan on Aging: DHSS issued a news release today unveiling the Missouri Master Plan on Aging (MPA), a comprehensive 10-year roadmap designed to help Missourians age with dignity, safety and connection. Established by executive order in 2023 and shaped by input from more than 10,000 residents, the plan focuses on what matters most: affordable housing, reliable transportation, access to health care, and strong support for family caregivers. Organized around seven key domains—housing, transportation, whole-person health, safety, family caregiving, daily life and employment, and long-term services—the MPA provides practical tools for local leaders to create age-friendly communities. With Missouri’s older adult population projected to outnumber minors by 2030, the plan emphasizes collaboration and local implementation to ensure communities are prepared for demographic shifts and growing needs.
► Cottage Food Law, training webinar from BEHS to be hosted Feb 19, 9:30 - 11:00 am. See the Hub Calendar for connection information.
► Financial Assistance: BEHS is offering to cover the cost of registration for the National Environmental Health Association Annual Education Conference in KC in August for up to 12 LPHA Environmental Health Specialists. LPHAs will be responsible for attendance costs. Submit an application to RetailFood@health.mo.gov by COB February 12, 2026. Directo any questions to RetailFood@health.mo.gov.
► Survey: Midwest HIDTA is requesting LPHAs complete its annual Midwest HIDTA Threat Assessment. It is preferred to complete the survey in one sitting. This is optional, but if you choose to do the survey, please complete it by Feb 13. Survey
► Sexual Violence Prevention and Response - Missouri Resource Map. In partnership with DHSS' Office on Women's Health, Ozarks Public Health Institute is developing a statewide map highlighting resources to support prevention and response to sexual violence. Resources include those that protect health, build personal confidence, empower individuals, meet needs, and provide direct services. The map can be used by partners to make referrals and by individuals seeking resources. Complete this form to submit resources in your area to be added to the map.
► Coming Soon! DHSS is creating educational content around cannabis use safety. Finalized content will be shared with LPHAs and can be used in your local communities.
NATIONAL 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.
► 2/5/2026: The new food pyramid could make creating school breakfast and lunches more difficult and more costly. (link)
► 2/4/2026: A new study published in JAMA Network Open shows the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine was 40% effective against hospitalization and nearly 80% effective against ventilation and death. (link)
► 2/4/2026: After studying 18.7 new cancer cases in 2022, researchers say nearly 2 in 5 were associated with risk factors that can be modified, such as smoking, drinking, infection, and environmental exposures. (link)
► 2/4/2026: Weight-loss drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk claims 50,000 prescriptions are being filled each week for more than 170,000 people now on the drug. (link)
► 2/4/2026: WHO announces preventive cholera vaccinations will restart after they were halted four years ago due to a vaccine shortage. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 2/4/2026: A report from SmileHub.com ranks Missouri 36th in the nation on women’s health, after comparing 18 key metrics on health and living standards. (link)
RESOURCES
► Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses are offered for free to LPHAs. There is a MBSR Blood Pressure Reduction course available too. View the interactive course schedule for upcoming class times. All are done virtually. If your LPHA staff are interested in enrolling, contact mindfulness@brown.edu with code
Mindful-Missouri for the free discount.
► Workforce Life: The 2024 PH WINS Supplement offers a view of individual public health employees’ perspectives on workforce challenges and successes—from burnout and belonging to leadership and skill-building. (link)
OPPORTUNITIES
► Communications Training: The Public Health Communication Coalition (PHCC) Academy's fourth training, Media Relations Capacity Building for Public Health Communicators is open. This free, two-hour course equips public health communicators with the skills and confidence to work proactively with the media. Start the training any time. (link)
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES
► Feb 6, 12:00 pm, Building the Foundation: The Bedrock of Dental Safety, hosted by the DHSS Office of Dental Health. This webinar helps set the stage for participants’ experiences at the 2026 Oral Health Policy Conference in Jeff City on March 5 and 6. See calendar for details. Register for the pre-conference webinar.
► Feb 10 – 12, National Rural Health Policy Institute, Washington D.C., hosted by the National Rural Health Association to help advocate for priorities to improve rural health care access nationwide. Hear rural health priorities from your elected officials. Understand how to successfully engage in NRHA’s advocacy. Develop rapport with your Congressional delegation. Learn how to put rural policy into practice. Agenda Register
► Feb 11, 3:00 - 4:00 pm, Steady Hands, Steady Teams: Leading with Confidence and Composure, hosted by ASTHO. In an era of immense pressure, explore how intentional leadership is the key to fortifying organizational stability, confidence, and credibility. Gain practical strategies to maintain composure and focus in chaotic circumstances and reframe personal steadiness as a fundamental leadership function that builds trust and drives performance. Register
► Feb 17, 12:00 pm, Retaining Younger Public Health Staff: The Appeal of Nontraditional Benefits, Understanding the Impact of State Governance on Recruitment Strategies in Public Health, hosted by the Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health as part of a series highlighting recent workforce topics. Register
► Feb 17, 2:00 pm, Improve Community Health by Strengthening Social Connections, hosted by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. It’s human instinct to connect with others; accordingly, both interpersonal and community-level connections are tied to our health. Social connection can reduce the risk of disease, lengthen life expectancy, and strengthen a sense of belonging. However, social isolation and loneliness are widespread, and rates continue to rise. This webinar will make the case for socially connected communities and provide participants with guidance to take action. Register
► Feb 18, 11:00 am, Safe Cribs Office Hours. Held the third Wednesday of every other month. See the Hub Calendar for details and connection information.
► Feb 18, 12:00 pm, Enhancing Communication - Lunch and Learn: Navigating the New Era of Document Accessibility, hosted by DHSS Office of Public Information. With upcoming federal government mandates extending to local public health agencies, ensuring digital documents are accessible is no longer just a best practice—it is a requirement. Move beyond theory into the practical steps of creating compliant source files and polished PDFs. This session focuses strictly on document remediation - website coding tips will not be covered. See Hub Calendar for connection information.
► Feb 19, 9:30 – 11:00 am, Cottage Food Law, hosted by BEHS at DHSS. See Hub Calendar for connection information
► Feb 20, 4:00 pm, Advocacy Essentials: Preparing for MO Rural Health Advocacy Day. Hosted by Missouri Rural Health Association. Join MRHA's webinar designed to prepare advocates for the 2026 Missouri Rural Health Advocacy Day at the Missouri State Capitol. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to the world of policy engagement, this session will provide the tools and knowledge you need to make a meaningful impact when visiting legislators on February 24th. This webinar will cover the Advocacy Day agenda, best practices during legislative visits, what to expect, and a Q&A session. Register
► Feb 24, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Rural Health Advocacy Day at the Capitol, hosted by Missouri Rural Health Association. Missouri State Capitol Building, Jefferson City MO 201 West Capitol Avenue Jefferson City, MO 65101 US. Will include meetings with local legislators, allowing you to voice the needs of your community, conversations with health committee members on key legislative priorities, united efforts to advocate for better access, delivery, and workforce solutions in rural health. Learn more
► Feb 24, 1:00 pm, Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Austerity, hosted by the University of Minnesota Center for Public Health Systems. Discuss the legal and ethical considerations for fiscal austerity, including review of legal mandates for minimum service provision, liability issues in service withdrawal, and ethical frameworks for prioritizing populations or programs during cuts. This webinar is part of a series highlighting practical strategies for protecting communities when budgets tighten. Register
► Feb 25 – 27, Roots of Resilience: Growing Healthier Schools and Communities, hosted by Missouri Coordinated School Health Coalition (MCSHC) More than 200 participants are expected to attend this 33rd Annual Conference, ranging in backgrounds from health teachers, school nurses, wellness coordinators, food service staff and public health partners to counselors, social workers, physical educators and school administrators. Join MCSHC and showcase your organization while networking with people working behind the scenes to make Missouri schools healthier. Learn more and register
► Mar 5, 1:00 pm, Recent Trends in US Government Healthcare & Behavioral Health Workforce Departures, Come Work for Us: How to Improve the Health Department Job Application Experience, hosted by the Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health as part of a series highlighting recent workforce topics. Register
► March 5-6, 2026 Missouri Oral Health Policy Conference - Optimizing Transitions, hosted by the DHSS Office of Dental Health at the Capitol Plaza Hotel & Convention Center in Jefferson City. The conference will feature the latest in oral health advocacy with presentations by national speakers, oral health champion awards, exhibitors, a networking reception, and the best in policy discussion about improving Missouri’s oral health. Conference information Register
► Mar 16 – 18, Columbia, MO. Disaster Behavioral Health Conference, hosted by DHSS. Explore the unique behavioral health needs that arise after natural disasters, human-caused incidents, and acts of terrorism—and learn from real experiences to strengthen support for individuals and communities on their path to recovery. $50 to attend, due at registration with credit card. Register
► Mar 18, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Grant Management and Compliance Training, Part 2, hosted by Missouri Public Health Institute. Alternative date is April 15, 2026 (virtual). Register
► Mar 24 - 25, Leading Change Workshop, hosted by ASTHO. Equip participants with strategies and skills to navigate change and uncertainty as individuals, team members, and organization-wide leaders. Emphasizes actionable instruction and resources, enabling leaders to create and implement real-world, targeted initiatives and foster tangible organizational change. Onsite in Arlington, Virginia. Details
► Mar 25, 12:00 pm, Protecting the Core: Prioritizing Foundational Public Health Services Under Fiscal Constraint, hosted by the University of Minnesota Center for Public Health Systems. Introduce frameworks for preserving essential capabilities (assessment, preparedness, communications) when discretionary funds shrink. This webinar is part of a series highlighting practical strategies for protecting communities when budgets tighten. Register
► Apr 2, 1:00 pm, Identification of Potential Public Health Workforce Datasets and Their Utility for Future Research, Consequences of State Remote Work Policies on Rural Public Health, hosted by the Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health as part of a series highlighting recent workforce topics. Register
► Apr 15, 1:00 - 3:00 pm, Grant Management and Compliance Training, Part 2, hosted by Missouri Public Health Institute. Register
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