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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
HUB UPDATES
► Perinatal Hep B Case Management Program – new page
► Summer Food approved sites weekly report updated on BEHS page
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
► Jun 30: deadline to register for Overdose Fatality Review Summit on July 29
► Oct 1: Deadline to complete PHAB Readiness Assessment (at no cost)
DHSS UPDATES
► DHSS Website Revamp Update: As you’ve heard over the years, DHSS has been working to build a new website, health.mo.gov. While a specific launch date has not been set, it is anticipated to go live in mid-June. We will keep you posted as we get closer. DHSS has also been working toward digital ADA compliance, which has required removal and/or remediation of thousands of pages and documents on the public site. Please know that if you have frequently visited items bookmarked or linked to your own organization’s website, it is possible that links may become broken and need review upon launch of the new health.mo.gov.
► Ryan White Program Update: DHSS temporarily suspended select Ryan White Part B services, including emergency financial assistance (short-term utilities and rental assistance), mental health and substance‑use services, as of April 15. Oral health services will be suspended, effective May 15. The anticipated cost savings resulting from this suspension is $1,961,000. As of April 2, 2026, there were 6,259 clients enrolled in Ryan White HIV Case Management. The program within DHSS has been exploring cost containment measures due to increases in program utilization, medication and insurance costs, and decreased rebates. Reductions in services had been made previously, such as reducing the dental cap from $4,000 to $2,000 per participant, as an example. Cost containment measures will continue to be explored and implemented as needed to ensure a balanced budget while also serving clients and maintaining program efficiency.
Ryan White is a payor of last resort. Ryan White requires recipients to vigorously pursue other resources and sources of funding before using Ryan White funds. This change was necessary to ensure that essential services remain available and that we meet our financial obligations for the long term. Our priority is to protect clients and uphold the integrity of the Ryan White system. While these services are paused, the department is working closely with federal partners, contractors and community stakeholders to address the identified issues and to pursue corrective steps that allow these services to resume as quickly and safely as possible. We understand the impact this may have on clients and providers, and we are committed to transparent communication throughout this process.
► New Administrator Orientation and All In Session: Save the date for New Administrator Orientation (NAO) on August 4 – 5, starting at 10:00 am on Aug 4 and wrapping by 1:00 pm on Aug 5. The target audience is new LPHA administrators, but any administrator is welcome to attend. The All In Meeting takes place Aug 5 – 6, starting at 1:30 pm on the 5 and wrapping up by about 3:00 pm on Aug 6. The All In session is intended for all LPHA administrators. Additional details will be provided soon.
► Fall Preparedness Summit: The dates for the Fall Preparedness Summit (replacing the fall planners meeting) have been changed to September 1 – 2. The event is hosted by the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program and the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). Local public health agency administrators, planners, epis and other staff are welcome to attend. Details and a registration link will be provided closer to the date. Questions can be directed to Preparedness@health.mo.gov
► Perinatal Hepatitis B Case Management Updates:
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New webpage: The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program page is now live on the LPHA Info Hub, under the DHSS menu. This page brings together key resources to support your work with pregnant patients and infants exposed to hepatitis B.
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Laminated quick reference guides for LPHA case management are being distributed via mail. These guides are designed to support consistent follow-up, documentation, and coordination of care for perinatal hepatitis B cases.
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Reminder for providers: All pregnant patients should be tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during each pregnancy at the first prenatal visit, again at 28 weeks, and at delivery. Timely identification and reporting of HBsAg-positive pregnancy patients support case management and ensure infants receive appropriate prophylaxis at birth and follow-up care.
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Training: The Bureau of Genetics and Healthy Childhood offers LPHAs a training on Perinatal Hepatitis B Case Management Using ShowMe WorldCare. This two-hour virtual session on Sep 29 from 10:00 am to noon will cover how to:
- Navigate PHB case management workflows in SMWC
- Interpret Hepatitis B laboratory results
- Track required tasks and timelines for pregnant women and infants
- Apply updated LPHA responsibilities related to pregnancy screening and follow-up
- Support timely vaccination and post-vaccine serology testing
Register
Questions: PerinatalHepB@health.mo.gov or (573)751-6266 / (800)877-6246
► Overdose Fatality Review Summit, July 29, hosted by DHSS’ Overdose Data to Action in States team and Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) partners. Training will be offered in Jefferson City for up to 100 Missouri LPHA staff and local partners (coroners/medical examiners, public safety, EMS, hospital ER, behavioral health) to increase the number of local overdose fatality review (OFR) boards in Missouri. Learn what an OFR is and how it can be used to guide overdose prevention and response within a community. Learn how to identify local partnerships to establish and conduct OFRs, understand overdose data systems and how to use the data to effectively guide the OFR process, understand how to prioritize and select cases for review, and see how an OFR operates. Register by June 30.
RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION (RHTP)
► 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.
► 4/23/2026: The Trump administration has reclassified medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug, easing research restrictions and providing tax benefits while stopping short of full legalization. (link)
► 4/22/2026: Former tobacco industry executive Stephen Sayle has been appointed to a senior leadership role as deputy director for legislative affairs at the CDC. (link)
► 4/22/2026: RFK Jr testified about vaccinations, abortion medication, drug discounts, and a ban on junk food ads during continued questioning from legislators. (link)
► 4/22/2026: Health officials question Pete Hegseth’s decision to make annual flu vaccinations voluntary for active and reserve U.S. military members. (link)
► 4/21/2026: Erica Schwartz holds both a medical and a law degree and served in the U.S. military. She is currently in confirmation hearings after being nominated by President Trump to be the next director of the CDC. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 4/22/2026: While suicide rates among young people in the U.S. have dropped since the 2022 rollout of the national 988 hotline, suicide rates in Greene County are climbing. (link)
RESOURCES
► Website ADA Compliance Deadline Extended: The Department of Justice extends the deadline for ADA compliance on websites and mobile apps by one year. Jurisdictions with a total population of 50,000 must now comply by April 26, 2027. The compliance date for public entities with a total population of less than 50,000 is extended to April 26, 2028. (link)
► Missouri Stories: Missouri Foundation for Health shares a new set of data stories from the 2025 Speak Up MO poll. These stories offer a closer look at how people across our state are experiencing issues like cost of living, access to care, and whether they feel heard in their communities. (link)
OPPORTUNITIES
► Grant Opportunitiy: The Brutten Family Foundation is accepting grant applications from 501c3 agencies for projects focused on the environment, education, and mental health. They welcome grants from communities across the world that are "dedicated to helping our collective future." (link)
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES/EVENTS
► 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 6, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Strategic Storytelling in Constrained Environments, hosted by FrameWorks Institute. Learn about the mechanics of narrative, how to expose injustices without jargon, and how to engage the unpersuaded. Register
► 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 23, 1:00 pm, PHAB refreshed Standards and Measures Launch. Guided by extensive feedback from the field and years of data, these updates help users navigate the refined Standards & Measures, pursue continuous quality improvement, and reduce documentation burden. Capacity for this event is limited. Register
► Jun 24, STI Quarterly Meeting. A registration link will be sent out to program sites at a later date.
► Jul 29, Overdose Fatality Review Summit, hosted by DHSS Overdose Data to Action in States team and Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) partners. On site training in Jefferson City for up to 100 Missouri LPHA staff and local partners (coroners/medical examiners, public safety, EMS, hospital ER, behavioral health) to increase the number of local overdose fatality review (OFR) boards in Missouri. Learn what an OFR is and how it can be used to guide overdose prevention and response within a community. Identify local partnerships to establish and conduct OFRs, understand overdose data systems and how to use the data to effectively guide the OFR process, understand how to prioritize and select cases for review, and see how an OFR operates. Register by June 30.
► Sep 1 – 2, 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.
► Sep 29, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Perinatal Hepatitis B Case Management Using ShowMe WorldCare, hosted by the Bureau of Genetics and Healthy Childhood. Register. Learn to:
- Navigate PHB case management workflows in SMWC
Interpret Hepatitis B laboratory results
Track required tasks and timelines for pregnant women and infants
Apply updated LPHA responsibilities related to pregnancy screening and follow-up
Support timely vaccination and post-vaccine serology testing
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