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View more news, opportunities and resources on the LPHA Info Hub.
HUB UPDATES
► Updates to incentive funding and Director’s Advisory Council added to CLPHS page
► The LPHA Directory (internal LPHA version) has been updated under Quick Links on the Hub home page
► Office hours for the Missouri Preventive Services Program (PSP) for oral health have been added to the Hub Calendar
► New communicable disease training recording added to Training section on Hub home page
► A new cannabis report was added to the Communications page under the Reports section
UPCOMING DUE DATES
► Nov 12: Deadline to submit CHIP H.S.I. Net expenditure report for Quarter Ending 09-26 (July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026)
DHSS UPDATES
► Director’s Advisory Committee (DAC)
The newly revived Director’s Advisory Committee (DAC) for Local Public Health provides a formal advisory body to directly integrate LPHA perspectives into our state-level strategic planning and decision-making processes. Consisting of nine peer-elected regional representatives, the committee will co-create actionable policy recommendations, mobilize joint state-local workgroups to tackle systemic infrastructure challenges, and collaborate to improve service delivery statewide. Your regional representatives are:
- Region A: Tara Brewer, Saline County
- Region B: Kelli Hillerman, Sullivan County
- Region C: Sara Evers, St. Charles County
- Region D: Jon Mooney, Springfield/Greene County
- Region E: Autumn Grim, Cape Girardeau County
- Region F: Kim Sallin, Osage County
- Region G: Michelle Walker, Carter County
- Region H: Tracy Carmen, Caldwell County
- Region I: Deborah Decker, Pulaski County
Before the inaugural November 12th meeting, please connect directly with your regional representatives to share your feedback, shape the committee's scope, and share any high-priority agenda items you would like to discuss. Brenna Davidson serves as facilitator for this committee and would be happy to field any questions you may have. Contact her at Brenna.Davidson@health.mo.gov.
► Incentive Funding
The proposal requirement outline for the shared resource competitive awards of $0 – 75,000 for new service and resource sharing proposals will be released and discussed on the LPHA Tuesday Call on November 3rd. Proposals will be due back to DHSS by November 24.
LPHAs who choose to participate in the resource sharing mapping project will receive $12,500. This will involve sharing with the contractor existing resource sharing projects in place and partnerships in place. If LPHAs choose not to participate, their $12,500 compensation will be put into a pot and all leftover dollars will be shared back out with all who did participate.
Distribution of the incentive funding base of $15,000 for each LPHA is currently in process. Invoices for this funding have been distributed for signature. If you have not yet signed your invoice and returned it to CLPHS, please do so as soon as possible. If you have signed and returned your invoice, your payment should arrive in mid-November.
► LPHA Update Calls Changes
Starting December 1, the LPHA Update calls start time will move to 2:00 pm. This will allow time for a free discussion session to be held at 3:00 pm after the LPHA call concludes, as proposed during the NAO/All In Meeting this summer. The intent of the free discussion session is to invite LPHAs to share feedback on anything discussed on the call, as well as challenges, issues, potential solutions, and ideas. CLPHS will aim to make DHSS staff available to answer questions during this time. The free discusson sessions will be held only after the first LPHA Update Call that occurs each month (i.e. Dec 1, Jan 5, Feb 2, etc.).
November LPHA Update calls will still start at 3:00 pm as scheduled. See the Hub Calendar for details and connection information.
► Guidance on Transitioning LPHA Email from DHSS
DHSS has issued a guidance document with details to help LPHAs navigate the transition. An MOU is still in development, but will be shared soon. (downloaded file linked on Hot Topics on Hub)
► Cannabis
The Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR), in conjunction with Cannabis Public Policy Consulting LLC (CPPC), has published the Missouri Cannabis Market Study: Phase 1 Report. CPPC was contracted to conduct this study on behalf of DCR, as Phase 1 of a two-part Missouri cannabis market and economic impact study. The Economic Impact Study: Phase 2 Report will be published later this year. (press release) (full report)
► Training Resource
Brooklyn White, HAI-AR coordinator for DHSS, recently provided a training on MDROs and infection prevention. This recording has been added to the hub’s homepage under training and also under communicable disease/current issues.
► Onsite Wastewater
DHSS has posted draft onsite wastewater construction permit application rules for public comment. These draft rules were developed in response to changes in state law that became effective on August 28, 2026. The draft materials will remain available for review through November 2, 2026.
The Department is considering filing both emergency and proposed rules. The emergency rule, if filed, could take effect quickly but would only remain in place for six months. The proposed rule, while following a longer promulgation timeline, would become more permanent once finalized.
► Fall LPHA Regional Meetings
One more meeting will be held November 4 from 9:45 am - 3:30 pm at DHSS, 930 Wildwood, Jefferson City (Maple/Birch Conference Room).
After the meeting the slide decks will be posted on the CLPHS page on the Hub.
NEWS
► 10/21/2026: A new study finds that changes to federal hepatitis B vaccination recommendations could lead to more childhood infections and leave up to 1.8 million young adults vulnerable to the virus. (link)
► 10/21/2026: Kids are more likely to get fully vaccinated against HPV when doctors offer them the vaccine at ages 9 – 10 vs at ages 9 – 11, according to a new study. (link)
► 10/21/2026: The Pennsylvania Department of Health issues a health alert warning doctors about congenital measles, as dozens of pregnant women have contracted measles and now risk passing the virus to their baby in utero. (link)
► 10/20/2026: CDC adds a third U.S. measles death to its national tracker as total cases for 2026 surpass 4,400. (link)
► 10/20/2026: Shared clinical decision making for vaccines adds confusion for parents. (link)
► 10/20/2026: Nearly half of US parents believe children are healthier when vaccines are spaced out and not given in one doctor’s visit, even as confidence in several well-established childhood vaccines remains high. (link)
MISSOURI NEWS
► 10/20/2026: The University of Missouri School of Medicine’s Center for Child Well-Being received a $6.4 million grant from the Rural Health Transformation Program to expand the Missouri Child Psychiatry Access Project (MO-CPAP) and the Maternal Health Access Project (MHAP). University of Missouri (link)
► 10/20/2026: Missouri voters will again have the opportunity this fall to voice their opinion on access to abortion gender-affirming care for minors by voting on Amendment 3. KMBC (link)
RESOURCES
► H.R. 1 Communications: DSS provides the definition of "medically frail" for HR1. This information is currently under embargo and may not be shared with media or the public until after it is released by DSS on Friday, October 23 at 11 a.m. CST to HR1 stakeholders and DSS team members in the Family Support Division and MO HealthNet.
Beginning January 1, 2027, certain adults receiving MO HealthNet through the Adult Expansion Group (AEG) will be subject to new Community Engagement requirements. However, some individuals may qualify for an exception to these requirements, including those considered medically frail.
In Missouri, Medically Frail refers to an individual who has a physical, mental, or other behavioral health condition that significantly impairs their ability to comply with the Community Engagement requirement. This definition is consistent with, and aligned to, the federal government’s criteria for medical frailty as outlined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which require that an individual’s condition meaningfully limits their capacity to meet Community Engagement obligations.
DSS has developed an H.R. 1 Communications Toolkit to help stakeholders, providers, community organizations, and partner agencies share clear, consistent information about upcoming changes.
The toolkit includes informational resources, frequently asked questions, sample notices, and other materials designed to support communication and outreach efforts.
You are encouraged to explore these resources and share them through your organization's communication channels.
Stakeholder Town Hall. This session will provide important implementation updates, highlight available resources, and help stakeholders better understand upcoming changes and what they mean for the communities they serve.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 12:30 –1:30 pm
Register
DSS encourages stakeholders and other state agencies to attend and share this opportunity with colleagues and community partners who may benefit from this information.
For the latest H.R. 1 implementation updates, frequently asked questions, and additional resources, visit the H.R. 1 website.
WEBINARS/TRAINING/CONFERENCES/EVENTS
► 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, 4:00 pm, Why Should I Trust You? (live podcast taping), hosted by WashU. The conversation will surface some of the most contested decisions of the last pandemic as we confront how to balance safety with liberty in the next one. Register to attend in person or via Zoom
► 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, 1:00 pm, Closing the Loop on the Full Public Health Improvement Cycle, hosted by NACCHO. how local health departments can connect Community Health Assessments, Community Health Improvement Plans, and performance management and quality improvement (PM/QI) in one streamlined process. Representatives from Madison-Dane County, Wisconsin, and Cook County, Illinois, will share practical lessons, and business partner Metopio will preview its new PM/QI module. Register
► Oct 28, 1:00- 2:15 pm, Conversations That Move Work Forward: Influence Through Conflict, hosted by ASTHO. Effective public health leaders know that one conversation can transform challenges into opportunities. Learn how to use the “Third Space” to navigate conflict, manage priorities, and build alignment. Through realistic scenarios and practical frameworks, strengthen your ability to move critical work forward with confidence. Registration closes Oct. 26. Log in to ASTHO to register
► 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
► Oct 29, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, Rural Health Federal Policy Update, hosted by MRHA. In this quarterly update from the National Rural Health Association, hear about key legislative and regulatory developments impacting rural healthcare, policy trends to watch, and advocacy opportunities to support rural communities. Register
► Oct 29, 12:00 – 3:00 pm, Missouri Statewide Convening, hosted by the Missouri Health Access Coordination Initiative. Join the statewide conversation about what is happening around access to healthcare in Missouri, what partners are doing, and where gaps remain. Event to be held at Stoney Creek Inn Conference Center, 2601 S Providence Road, Columbia. Register
► Oct 29, 1:30 – 2:30 pm, Structuring and Sustaining Service & Resource Sharing for System Transformation, hosted by PHAB. Learn how service & resource sharing (SRS) can create sustainable, cross-sector solutions that strengthen public health infrastructure and improve community health outcomes. This webinar will examine practical approaches for designing shared governance, funding, staffing, and accountability models, featuring lessons from Minnesota's investment in regional initiatives that include Tribal partners and Massachusetts' experience leveraging SRS to advance public health system transformation and sustainable funding. Participants will gain actionable strategies for building durable partnerships that align resources, reduce duplication, and achieve shared outcomes. Register
► Nov 4, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Expanding on Foresight Toolkit, hosted by PHAB. Not yet featured in the main Building Future-Readiness into Public Health guidebook, this fast-paced, hands-on finale of our 3-session series spotlights Draw Out Consequences. In a rapidly changing landscape, leading a future-ready organization means looking past immediate, obvious changes and uncovering the hidden, long-term ripple effects of major shifts. Join us for an interactive 60-minute session introducing an exclusive bonus tool from the Institute for the Future (IFTF). You’ll get to play around with a visual framework called the “Futures Wheel” to map out first-, second-, and third-order consequences of systemic changes. Learn how to look across social, technological, economic, environmental, and political (STEEP) categories to identify hidden causal assumptions, discover unexpected interactions and feedback loops, and map out long-term impacts. Register
► Nov 5, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Servant Research in Action: A CBPR Approach to Drowning Prevention in Rural Missouri. Hosted by the Missouri Rural Health Association. Learn how servant research principles shaped collaboration with community members on drowning prevention and water safety strategies, how local voices guided the research process, and how data can be transformed into practical tools for rural health and safety initiatives. Presented by Dr. Molly Lancaster Rodriguez, Public Health Faculty, Missouri State University. Register
► Nov 6, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Partnering for Access to Care and Training (PACT) Clinical Showcase Luncheon (for oral health) in St. Louis, hosted by Delta Dental of Missouri. Join us for the inaugural PACT Clinical Showcase luncheon, bringing together dental students, faculty, oral health leaders, and community partners to explore how strategic investments in dental school clinics are expanding access to care and strengthening Missouri’s oral health workforce. Hear directly from students at University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City University, A.T. Still University, and Saint Louis University as they present compelling patient cases, treatment outcomes, and lessons learned through Delta Dental’s PACT Program. Enjoy a complimentary lunch and network with peers. A block of rooms is available for discounted overnight stays at the Holiday Inn St Louis SW - Route 66. Call 314-821-6600 and reference "Delta Dental" or group code DDL. Register for the luncheon event by October 30.
► Nov 12, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, The Human Rights Lens: How Science and Law Can Improve Population Health (online or in person at WashU in St. Louis), hosted by WashU. A human rights framework offers public health more than a set of ideals. It provides tools for understanding who is most vulnerable to poor health and why; examining the laws, policies, institutions, and power structures that shape health; defining the obligations of governments and other actors; and creating mechanisms for accountability when those obligations are not met. Learn how rights-based approaches can inform public health research, policy, and practice - from protecting health during conflict and displacement to advancing accountability and supporting the long-term well-being of communities affected by injustice. Register
► Nov 18, 1:00-2:00 pm, "Small but Essential: Understanding Rural Public Health Department Challenges and Strengths" will present key findings on the rural local public health workforce, drawing from PH WINS data. Hear from local leaders in rural public health and panelists to understand the people behind the numbers and learn ways to strengthen the workforce. Register
► Nov 19, 10:00 – 11:30 am, Collaborative Approaches to Population Health Assessments, hosted by PHAB. Population health assessments and improvement plans are strongest when they reflect shared priorities, aligned data, and meaningful collaboration across sectors. Join PHAB for a webinar highlighting collaborative approaches to population health assessment and improvement planning, including how our template can support health departments and partners in organizing information, strengthening alignment, and moving from assessment to action. This session will feature a panel of partners who have worked together on a health assessment process and will share lessons learned, strategies for sustaining collaboration, and examples of how partnership can strengthen community-driven planning. Register
► 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 2, 3:00 – 4:00 pm, CHIP HSI Collaborative, hosted by DHSS’ Center for Local Public Health Services. See the Hub Calendar for connection information.
► Dec 3, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Hidden Treasure: Unleashing Remarkable Teams, hosted by the MRHA. Learn how emotions influence workplace behavior, how to help employees process challenges without stepping into a counseling role, and practical management techniques that encourage personal accountability and growth. Learn how to equip employees with the tools to better understand themselves, so your organization can foster healthier workplaces, improve retention, and build stronger teams. Register
► Dec 7 – 9, Governmental Public Health Summit, hosted by the Missouri Public Health Institute. Public health professionals and partners from across Missouri are invited to the 2026 Governmental Public Health Summit (GPHS) at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark. This year’s theme, People-Powered Public Health, celebrates the people and partnerships that strengthen public health across our state. Attendees will have opportunities to learn from colleagues and experts, explore practical strategies, build new connections, and join conversations about the issues shaping public health in Missouri. Registration includes keynote and breakout sessions, networking opportunities, meals, a welcome reception, and the LPHA Celebration Dinner. Learn more, view the agenda, and register at the MOPHI website.
► 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
► Dec 10, 12:00 pm, Show Me Tobacco-Free Webinar Series (3-sessions), hosted by the Missouri Tobacco Prevention Workgroup and Tobacco-Free Missouri. Register
► Dec 10, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Healing Together: Building Social Connection to Reduce Loneliness in Rural Missouri, hosted by MRHA. This session will explore the connection between relationships and health, including how social relationships influence physical and emotional well-being. Participants will learn practical strategies for strengthening social connections and building community capacity to address loneliness as a public health issue. The session will also highlight how rural communities and practitioners can use the power of relationships to support healthier, more connected communities. Register
► Jan 12 - 14, Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training (virtual), hosted by University of Missouri. Applications are due November 19. Scholarships may be available. Details
► Jan 28, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Communities Your Way: Building Rural Health Through Economic Stability. This session will explore a grassroots approach to addressing the five Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) through collaborative community partnerships. Participants will learn how to connect SDoH to long-term economic sustainability, structure and sustain partnerships among hospitals, communities, and schools, and develop strategies for building trust, shared ownership, and local leadership capacity. The session will offer practical approaches that community leaders and healthcare organizations can use to strengthen partnerships and improve health outcomes. Register
► 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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