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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
HUB UPDATES
► A new training on REDCap has been posted on the Safe Cribs page.
UPCOMING DUE DATES
► Oct 1: Deadline to complete PHAB Readiness Assessment (at no cost to LPHA)
► Oct 16: Summer Food Service Program and At-Risk Afterschool Program participation agreement DA-38 for reimbursement, End of Year Summary, inspection reports, and other applicable documentation is due to BEHS.SummerFood@health.mo.gov by COB
DHSS UPDATES
► Measles
► Summer Food and At-Risk Programs
For participating LPHAs, 2025-2026 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and At-Risk Afterschool Program (At-Risk) participation agreement (PA) DA-38 for reimbursement, End of Year Summary, inspection reports, and other applicable documentation is due to BEHS.SummerFood@health.mo.gov by close of business day Friday October 16, 2026. If you have already submitted your inspection reports, no need to resubmit to the program when submitting your DA-38 and End of Year Summary. If you submit your DA-38 for SFSP and At-Risk reimbursement after October 16, 2026, you may not be reimbursed for your work during the 25-26 SFSP and At-Risk PA. .
► Environmental Child Care Program
mandatory training Sept 24 or 29. If you conduct child care sanitation inspections this training is mandatory and attendance will be taken. See the Hub Calendar for details.
► Headshots
If you had professional headshots taken during the Public Health Conference, be sure to go into the gallery and download them. Headshots can be used if you receive an award, are featured in a news article, shared with your employer for the organizational website, posted on your LinkedIn profile, or added to your Outlook email account.
NEWS
► 9/23/2026: Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar propose legislation that would ban artificial superintelligence and create a federal agency to oversee advanced AI. (link)
► 9/22/2026: CDC reports a multi-state hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen clams, with 37 cases in four states (not Missouri). (link)
► 9/22/2026: Two lots of frozen Bettergoods lemon alfredo fettuccine sold at WalMart has been recalled due to possible Listeria contamination. (link)
► 9/22/2026: USDA Rural Development announces a new 24-month pilot program aimed at increasing the number of affordable rural homes available for rent. (link)
► 9/17/2026: RFK, Jr names eight new members to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an influential panel of experts who determine what preventive medical services insurers must cover for free. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 9/23/2026: Missouri officials warn of a possible measles exposure at Busch Stadium and local St Louis business between September 12 – 14. ABC News (link)
► 9/15/2026: For the 18th year in a row, St. Louis Children’s Hospital in St. Louis earns top rankings from U.S. News & World Report. (link)
► 9/15/2026: Missouri should make medical respite part of its healthcare infrastructure, bridging people experiencing homelessness to short-term residential care that allows them to rest and access follow up medical care as they recover from an injury or illness. Washington Post (link)
RHTP
► Expanding Behavioral Health: RHTP expands behavioral health for children, families, and pregnant and postpartum women through the Missouri Child Psychiatry Access Project (MO-CPAP) and the Missouri Maternal Health Access Project (MHAP).
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MO-CPAP connects pediatricians, family medicine providers, school personnel, and other frontline professionals to child and adolescent psychiatrists so they can quickly and thoroughly diagnose and treat behavioral health concerns. It also connects families to local counseling, support groups, and community resources, and trains providers to spot concerns early.
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MO-MHAP supports OB-GYNs, midwives, and other perinatal providers through psychiatric consultation and care coordination so they can identify and treat mental health conditions, substance use disorder, and other chronic conditions in pregnant and postpartum patients.
Learn more about MU’s Center for Child Well-Being
► Rural Healthcare Infrastructure: Missouri’s RHTP awards $35 million in grants to 20 projects through its Strategic Minor Renovations Program for minor facility improvements, equipment upgrades, and other essential infrastructure enhancements that help rural hospitals maintain safe, reliable care close to home.
RESOURCES
► Free Public Health Images: The Public Health Visual Commons offers free public health images that move beyond stock photos and show public health in action. The project is an initiative of Health Resources in Action and the Louisiana Public Health Institute with support from NNPHI and PHIG.
► Postpartum Resources: The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health released a postpartum psychosis symptom checklist and provides information on how to seek support.
► Birthing Education: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, a NIHCM Journalism Grantee, produced a 9-part podcast series on the birthing journey, from pre-pregnancy through the postpartum period, including an episode on postpartum depression.
► Vaccine Exemptions: Map of U.S. states non-medical exemptions from school immunization requirements, from the National Conference of State Legislatures. https://www.ncsl.org/health/state-non-medical-exemptions-from-school-immunization-requirements
► From Data to Action: Turning Community Health Needs Assessments into Meaningful Change, from the Healthy Nonprofit Network and Emory Prevention Research Center
OPPORTUNITIES
► Bringing Missouri's FPHS Model to Life: Ozarks Public Health Institute will host a new Learning Community focused on how to align public health work with Missouri's FPHS Model. This informal group will meet monthly via Zoom to share ideas and resources, discuss lessons learned, and network with each other. Some have been working in this space for years and others are brand new to the work. If you are interested in participating, please fill out this short registration form. The FPHS Learning Community kicks off in October!
► Public Health Summit: The 2026 Governmental Public Health Summit, hosted by the Missouri Public Health Institute will be held December 7–9 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, The conference includes three days of learning, connection, collaboration, and new ideas under the theme: People-Powered Public Health, celebrating the people and partnerships that move public health forward. Connect with colleagues from across the state, explore practical strategies, share experiences, build new relationships, and leave with fresh ideas you can bring back to your community. Early bird registration ends September 30. Register
► Tobacco Control Abstracts: Do you have research, policy work, or program innovations in commercial tobacco control to share? The 2027 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH) is accepting abstract/proposal submissions through Friday, Sep 25 at 11:59 pm ET for the Conference that will be held June 29 – July 1, 2027 in San Diego, CA. Presenters can apply for a panel presentation, individual presentation, or poster session. Head to the submission portal for track descriptions, format details, and to get your submission started. Direct any questions to the NNPHI planning team at NCTOH@nnphi.org. NCTOH connects commercial tobacco control and prevention professionals from across the country around ten program tracks, spanning evaluation and surveillance, tobacco industry, communications and media, and more.
DID YOU KNOW?
This year 155,000 kindergartners in the U.S. did not receive at least one vaccination required for school by claiming an exemption. New data from CDC shows that vaccination exemptions from one or more vaccines among kindergarteners rose from 3.6% to a record high of 4.2% in the 2025 – 2026 school year. Exemptions increased in 41 states, and 24 states report exemption rates above 5%.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES/EVENTS
► Sep 25, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, 4th Annual Summit: Building Bridges of Care: Recovery, Resilience, and Family Empowerment, hosted by the Missouri Maternal Health Action Network at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City. The Summit will feature engaging panel discussions, networking opportunities, resource tables, and the opportunity to learn from mothers with lived experience who are helping shape systems of care across Missouri. Space is limited to 175 attendees, and registration will close on Monday, September 14, 2026, or when capacity is reached. Register
► Sep 25, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Oral Health Program Update, hosted by DHSS. The session will address any questions you may have. Anyone currently providing fluoride varnish applications in the clinic or in schools, daycares, or Head Starts—or considering doing so—should plan to attend. We have several program updates rolling out and want to be sure you are informed. We will also share updated information on the Brushing for 2 Kits, details about an upcoming survey, and information on the Regional Meetings we will be hosting across the state. See the Hub Calendar for webinar connection information.
► Sep 29, 9:00 – 10:00 am, Oral Health Program Update, hosted by DHSS. The session will address any questions you may have. Anyone currently providing fluoride varnish applications in the clinic or in schools, daycares, or Head Starts—or considering doing so—should plan to attend. We have several program updates rolling out and want to be sure you are informed. We will also share updated information on the Brushing for 2 Kits, details about an upcoming survey, and information on the Regional Meetings we will be hosting across the state. See the Hub Calendar for webinar connection information.
► 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
► Oct 5, 9:30 – 11:00 am, Planning for Community Health Through High-Impact Strategies, hosted by the Healthy Nonprofit Network and Emory Prevention Research Center. Most of what influences our health happens outside of a doctor's office. The places where we live, work, learn, and play, and the conditions in those places, shape health and well-being. The session explores practical, evidence-based strategies for strengthening communities and improving health for all. Register
► Oct 6, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Advancing Advocacy: Fall 2026 Workshops for Missouri Nonprofits, hosted by Missouri Foundation for Health. Join Missouri Foundation for Health and Alliance for Justice for one of two free, in-person workshops focused on strengthening advocacy and developing partnerships. Enjoy informative training presentations, a conversational networking lunch, and a panel of inspiring Missouri leaders who are building collective power through policy advocacy, community engagement, and coalition building. Lunch will be provided. Register by September 25 for this event or see the Hub Calendar for a second offering on Oct 8 in Republic, Missouri.
► Oct 8, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Advancing Advocacy: Fall 2026 Workshops for Missouri Nonprofits, hosted by Missouri Foundation for Health. Join Missouri Foundation for Health and Alliance for Justice for one of two free, in-person workshops focused on strengthening advocacy and developing partnerships. Enjoy informative training presentations, a conversational networking lunch, and a panel of inspiring Missouri leaders who are building collective power through policy advocacy, community engagement, and coalition building. Lunch will be provided. Register by September 25 for this event at the Republic Branch Library, 921 N Lindsey Avenue, Republic, Missouri.
► Oct 14 – 16, Artificial Intelligence and Public Health Conference, hosted by the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI). In person in Baltimore, Maryland. Presenters will describe the state of AI adoption in public health organizations, governance frameworks for ethical use, and recommendations for addressing communities’ concerns with this impactful technology. Several workshops designed for different levels of technical expertise will be offered. Registration fees apply. Learn more and register
► Oct 20, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, Primary Care & Public Health: Transforming Health Through Partnership, hosted by WashU. As the nation confronts rising rates of chronic disease, persistent health inequities, workforce crises, and growing pressure on front-line providers, we face the urgent need to strengthen primary care-public health partnership to improve health for individuals and communities alike. Join this half-day convening exploring how to revitalize the primary care and public health partnerships and innovation on the topics of health care delivery, workforce strengthening, and health policy and community engagement. Attend on campus at WashU in St. Louis or virtually via Zoom. Register
► Oct 21, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Safe Cribs Office Hours. See the Hub Calendar for details.
► Oct 23, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, Transforming Healthcare in Missouri, Part XI: Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure for Impact, co-hosted by the Center for Advancing Health Services, Policy and Economics Research as WashU and Missouri DHSS. Join this stakeholder discussion focused around the question: "How can Missouri’s public health infrastructure best be strengthened, given resource constraints, to deliver the most impact?" Together, we’ll explore the challenges facing Missouri’s public health infrastructure and crowdsource ideas for strengthening it for the future. The event will be held at Clark-Fox Forum, Hillman Hall, Wrighton Way & Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105. Register
► Oct 27 - 28, DIMENSIONS: Tobacco Free Advanced Techniques In-Person Training for Missouri, hosted by University of Colorado. This two-day training covers tobacco fundamentals, tobacco addiction, tobacco cessation strategies, and a motivational intervention for tobacco cessation. Trainees will also be trained to facilitate the DIMENSIONS Tobacco Free Group curriculum—a 6-week tobacco cessation group. The Advanced Techniques training is a train-the-trainer model, meaning participants will leave the training with the materials and knowledge to train others at their organization. Training is free. Learn more and register by October 16.
► Oct 28 - 30, 2026 Missouri WIC Conference, hosted by DHSS. The biennial Missouri WIC Conference at the Branson Convention Center is an opportunity for Missouri WIC local and state agency staff to network and to learn more about implementing the Missouri WIC program and supporting WIC participants with research-based nutrition guidance. Details
► Nov 19 – 20, Missouri Connected Care and Ethics Summit, hosted by MU and the Missouri Telehealth Network. Attend the hybrid conference in Columbia or join virtually to explore the rapidly evolving role of telehealth and digital health in healthcare delivery. Register
► Dec 8 – 10, 2026 Public Health Law Virtual Summit, hosted by The Network for Public Health Law. This three-day virtual event explores the essential role of law and policy in public health data modernization. Under the theme "Convening, Aligning and Building Trust to Transform Communities," sessions will cover legal frameworks for data exchange, confidentiality protections, and the role of law in supporting justice, community power, and AI in data technology. $460 for nonprofit and governmental organizations. Register
► Jan 12 - 14, Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training (virtual), hosted by University of Missouri. Applications are due November 19. Scholarships may be available. Details
► Mar 10 - 12, 2027, 3rd Annual Missouri Disaster Behavioral Health Conference, hosted by MO Department of Mental Health and the Missouri Behavioral Health Council at the Wyndham Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. Additional details to be provided soon.
► May 18 - 20, Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training (virtual), hosted by University of Missouri. Applications are due March 25, 2027. Scholarships may be available. Details
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