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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
HUB UPDATES
► World Cup box added to home page
► DHSS events and trainings added to calendar from multiple programs
UPCOMING DUE DATES
► Apr 28: Deadline to submit evidence of accreditation and Mental Health First Aid Training for incentive funding
► May 1: Deadline to submit documentation for Incentives program through CLPHS
► May 1: FPHS Gap Analysis, Module 1: Current Financials due
► May 11: Deadline to submit signed invoices for incentive funding Extended!
► May 13: Quarterly CHIP HSI expenditure report due to CLPHSCHIPHSIReports@health.mo.gov
► Oct 1: Deadline to complete PHAB Readiness Assessment (at no cost)
DHSS UPDATES
► Incentive Invoices: Due to the Truman Day holiday on May 8, the deadline to submit incentive final invoices will be pushed back to May 11. LPHAs will receive an invoice from Mary Blevins on or before May 5. Those should be reviewed and signed and returned, or revisions requested as soon as possible. Invoices that are received back at CLPHS after May 9 may not be paid.
► Regional LPHA Meetings: Location change for the April 30 meeting in Marshfield. The meeting will move to the Marshfield City Annex Building, 915 S. Marshall Street in Marshfield.
► GovDelivery Name Change: GovDelivery has changed their name to Granicus Communications. This will not affect any features of our current GovDelivery listserves, but you may see the new shortened name “Communications” on communication that uses the GovDelivery system.
► Immunization Champion Nominations: DHSS’ Bureau of Immunizations is accepting nominations for the 2026 Immunization Champion Award. Nominations should be submitted by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 15, 2026 to Cathy Kennon. The Immunization Champion Award is a national award program hosted by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) that honors individuals going above and beyond to foster and/or promote immunization in their communities. Email Cathy Kennon with any questions.
► Verified Dispensary Initiative: DHSS announced the expansion of the Verified Dispensary: We’re on the List initiative. The expansion provides a new suite of outreach tools designed to help Missourians confidently identify licensed cannabis dispensaries.
RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION (RHTP)
► Survey Deadline April 17: Your organization’s input is needed for Missouri’s Digital Readiness Survey, conducted as part of the RHTP. The State has requested a consolidated response from your organization, and to meet that expectation, all submissions must be provided by April 17, 2026. (link)
► RHTP Implementation Webinars: DSS invites stakeholders to participate in a series of informational webinars supporting Missouri’s implementation of the RHTP. The webinar will introduce the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Care, the state’s coordinated model to enhance rural healthcare delivery and improve community outcomes. It will outline opportunities for organizations to participate and preview upcoming leadership roles within the program.
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ToRCH Care program overview webinar, 4/22 at 1:00 PM
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Hospital-specific program deep dive, 4/29 at 1:00 PM
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Non-hospital clinical providers deep dive (e.g., FQHCs, RHCs, CCBHCs, EMS, pharmacies), 5/6 at 1:00 PM
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Community institutions deep dive (e.g., CBOs, LPHAs), 5/13 at 1:00 PM
Additional webinars for Hub Anchor applicants will be held following the application release, expected early June.
More details
Register for webinars
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.
► 4/16/2026: Congress is questioning RFK Jr today over recent changes to public health. (link)
► 4/16/2026: Protect Our Care advocacy group releases a critical report titled “Robert F. Kennedy Jr, vs Public Health.” (link)
► 4/15/2026: CDC reports rising levels of rotavirus in the U.S. currently, higher than the same time last year. (link)
► 4/15/2026: Measles cases in Utah top 600, South Carolina waiting to see if their outbreak is ending, and San Franciso reports its first case since 2019. (link)
► 4/15/2026: CDC reports ER visits for tick bites are at the highest level since 2017, more than double the average for this time of year. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 4/14/2026: Missouri is among several states exploring ideas for building and implementing a comprehensive state graduate medical education program. (link)
► 4/13/2026: Missouri marijuana sales reach $131.09 million in March, with recreational purchases setting a new monthly record. (link)
RESOURCES
► Trusted Messenger Program Training Series. This free training gives HCPs the tools, tactics, and strategies to improve communication skills. The first one-hour module is available now and offers 1.0 CME credits. (link)
► The Importance of Listening and Trusted Messengers in Public Health. View this recorded dynamic fireside chat on communicating the value of public health in challenging times, the power of trusted messengers and partnerships, and the importance of active listening. From the Public Health Communications Collaborative. (link)
► Free communications training. Enroll in the PHCC Academy today for free, on-demand courses to expand your public health communications skills in 2026. (link)
OPPORTUNITIES
► Grant Opportunitiy: Missouri Humanities is offering a special grant round opening April 1, 2026, with funding of up to $15,000. Projects should focus on Veterans Initiatives, Literacy Festivals and Programs, Film Projects, and projects that align with their annual Signature Series theme. While applicant projects are not required to align with the themes listed, preference will be given to programs that incorporate these areas of emphasis. Applications are due by 11:59 pm on May 1, 2026. (link)
► Rural Health Community Capacity Academy. The National Rural Health Association's (NRHA) Rural Health Community Capacity Academy is designed to support underserved communities and organizations in rural areas. Selected organizations receive personalized guidance from a rural health development coach for 12 months. Coaches collaborate with organizations to assess their strengths to overcome challenges. The academy's primary goal is to empower participants to tackle community health issues by enhancing their capacity for community engagement and development. NOTE: Public health agencies are not eligible, but partner organizations may wish to apply. Applications are due May 31. Email Courtney Glover with questions. Details
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES/EVENTS
► Apr 16-17, Third Annual Missouri Black Maternal Health Summit. In-person in St. Louis. This two-day summit will convene midwives, doulas, parents, healers, maternal health practitioners, community birth workers, policymakers, and advocates to promote Black maternal health, policy transformation, and sustainable community care. Details
► Apr 17, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, Safe Sleep Summit. In person at 5501 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis. The Summit is FREE to attend, but registration is required.
► Apr 21, 2:00 pm, Public Health Perseverance: Learning from past challenges to inform the future, hosted by County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Public health has long faced moments of resistance, partisan pressure and public distrust. Yet throughout history, the field has continued to respond, evolve and adapt. Take a look back at periods when public health experienced significant pushback and explore how leaders and institutions responded at the time. Register
► Apr 23, 1:00 pm, Youth Mental Health: Trends, State-Level Strategies & the Role of Digital Technology, hosted by NIHCM. Leading experts will examine youth mental health in the United States, efforts to support young people’s mental well-being, the impact of digital technology, and strategies for navigating technology to promote healthy development. Register
► Apr 25, Community Minority Health Awareness Day. 320 S. Mallory St., Hayti, MO. Learn more Flyer
► Apr 28, SDOH Interventions for Improving Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health. This session will highlight interventions that can assist organizations in addressing patients’ SDOH challenges related to transportation, food insecurity, employment & economic stability, education and housing insecurity. Participants will understand how each SDOH challenge contributes to differences in chronic disease outcomes, review examples of how hospitals have developed interventions to meet patients’ social needs and learn about Missouri resources that directly address these SDOH challenges. Register
► Apr 28 - 30, Virtual Training Academy, hosted by DHSS BEHS. This live session runs 9:00 – 11:00 am and 1:30 – 3:00 pm with an extended lunch hour. Content will include environmental fundamentals, emergency response, and programs. The session will not be recorded. The target audience is new Environmental Health Specialists (EHS) with three years or less on-the-job experience, but seasoned inspectors and administrators are welcome to attend. Before the session, please read the relevant sections of the Environmental Health Operational Guidelines (EHOG). Download and print any relevant forms you may need to reference from the EHOG Appendix. Familiarize yourself with additional resource materials. Additional sessions will be offered July 28 – 30 and October 27 – 29. Virtual connection details can be found in the Hub Calendar.
► Apr 29, 4:30 – 5:30 pm, The Future of Public Health in the United States, hosted by the Boston University School of Public Health. Speakers include Georges C. Benjamin, Brian Castrucci, and Laura Magaña. Register
► Apr 30, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, 2026 Rural Health Workforce Summit, hosted by the Missouri Rural Health Association at the Roy Blunt Center for Integration and Innovation, 3450 W. Edgewood Drive in Jefferson City. Explore practical, proven strategies for building workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to stay. Registration also includes an interactive afternoon workshop focused on leading with engagement, inviting participants to practice tools that strengthen recognition, responsiveness, and reflection within their teams. Registrants will leave with tangible strategies, conversation frameworks, and implementation ideas they can put to work immediately. Cost is $50.00. Agenda and registration
► May 3, Annual Mi Casa Es SLU 5k Walk, Run, Roll. Kiener Plaza Park, 500 Chestnut St., St. Louis. Sign up Flyer
► May 5 - 7, 10th Annual Charting the Life Course Showcase, Kansas City, MO. The Showcase will highlight how a person-centered approach supports people, families, programs, and systems to explore, plan, and problem-solve for positive change. Attendance fee is $445. Details
► May 13, Second Annual Community Prevention Day Celebration. Charles R Williams Park, Corner of Lafayette and Elm St., Charleston, MO. Flyer
► May 21 - 22, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Rapid HIV Tester Training, hosted by DHSS at 930 Wildwood in Jefferson City, Conference Room Pine A/B. Register
► May 22, 44th Annual Bringing It Together event. Forest Park. Intergenerational activities, health and wellness information booths, Tai Chi, and more. Flyer
► May 28, SDOH and Chronic Disease Prevention and Management. This session will introduce the portion of the CY26 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that includes services to address health related social needs: Community Health Integration (CHI), Principal Illness Navigation (PIN) and Principal Illness NavigationPeer Support (PIN-PS) services. Participants will understand how each service is defined, provider and patient eligibility requirements and billing and documentation specifications. This session will emphasize the clinical and financial benefits of pursuing this reimbursement pathway, highlight sample workflows and provide best practices for submitting services for reimbursement. Register
► May 28, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, A Systems Approach to Preparing the Health Workforce for Social Determinants of Health, hosted by University of Missouri. This seminar offers a forward-thinking exploration of how the health workforce can be better prepared to address social determinants of health (SDOH) through coordinated, multisector action. Register
► Jun 4, Bootheel Community Health Fair. NMCC High School Gymnasium, 310 US Highway 61, New Madrid. This will be an educational and informational event for Southeast Missouri residents to help address health disparities in the region. Over 40 health-related vendors will provide information and education regarding health resources available in the area and beyond. They will also offer blood pressure screening, mammography, prostate and colon cancer screening, and vision and hearing screening to attendees at no cost.
► Jun 6, Jefferson City Pridefest, Capital Plaza Hotel. BHSH and Columbia/Boone Health Department will have an informational table with information on services available and HIV, Hep C and Syphilis rapid testing offered.
► Jun 6, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm, 26th Annual Juneteenth Heritage Festival. Lincoln University Soldiers Field, 903 Lafayette St. in Jefferson City. A joyful, inclusive space rooted in African American history and culture, supporting mental and emotional wellness, strengthening social bonds, and fostering a deep sense of belonging. Events like live music, dance, and youth programming will offer meaningful outlets for expression, healing, and connection—especially for historically underserved communities. This shared experience will uplift spirits, reduce social isolation, and build community pride, all of which are essential for mental and emotional health.
► Jun 24, STI Quarterly Meeting. A registration link will be sent out to program sites at a later date.
► Sep 9 – 10, Fall Preparedness Summit, in Jefferson City, hosted by DHSS’ Office of Emergency Coordination with the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program and the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). This will replace the traditional Fall Planners Meeting. Location, detailed agenda, and session times are being finalized, but attendees can expect engaging sessions on emergency preparedness and networking opportunities with partners across the state. Additional details, including a registration link, will be shared closer to the date.
► Sep 9 - 10, Missouri Rural Health Conference, hosted by Missouri Rural Health Association. Details to come.
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