Explore every episode of the podcast MCH Bridges: The Official AMCHP Podcast
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| Episode #19: Generating Policy Solutions to Protect Children with Complex Health Care Needs During Emergencies | 22 Jul 2024 | 00:45:49 | |
Our new MCH Bridges podcast episode addresses the critical importance of planning for and responding to the needs of women, children, and families, particularly those requiring complex care, during public health emergencies. The efforts described in this episode reflect the panelists' personal and professional experiences advocating for and implementing a state-level policy change to do just this. Tune in now to this detailed discussion about what it takes to implement a policy change aimed at ensuring that children with the most complex health care needs are less vulnerable to the impact of natural disasters and other emergencies. This example demonstrates how family advocates and staff from multiple state agencies partnered to create an amendment for the Medically Fragile Technology Dependent Medicaid Waiver that enabled critical power generators to be purchased with the use of waiver service funds. This episode is a part of AMCHP’s Building Resilience from Lived Experience anthology.
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| Episode #18: What the Health is Food Insecurity?! | 06 May 2024 | 00:41:29 | |
Our newest MCH Bridges and What the Health?! crossover episode, led by AMCHP’s Youth Voice Amplified (YVA) committee, talks about the food insecurity crisis in the United States from a systems and lived experience point of view, and how these perspectives impact each other. This episode shares an overview of the state of food insecurity in this country, a background of different terms in the food justice space, and the inequities that present challenges for many in our communities. You will also hear about the importance of empowering communities and understanding solutions to accessing nourishing foods they connect with to create positive health outcomes. Tune in now to listen and learn from guest host Amber Woodside and speakers Serena Sakkal and Bennett K., who share their experiences and insights on how to restore the connection between food and joy. | |||
| Episode #10: Queering Perinatal Mental Health | 24 Oct 2022 | 00:35:53 | |
In this episode, we are joined by Leo Andreas (he/him) and Jenna "JB" Brown (they/he) to explore the unique perinatal mental health experiences of queer, trans, and gender non-conforming people. Leo, a dad of a two-year-old, shares his mental health experiences of his journey to parenthood. And JB, a full-spectrum doula and community educator, explains the positive impact person-centered, radically inclusive care can have on the mental health of queer, trans, and gender non-conforming people during the perinatal period. This episode discusses mental health issues and mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Additionally, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746). TTY users can use a preferred relay service or dial 711 and then 988 or 1-833-943-5746. Both services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Please complete this short survey to share input on the episode and let us know who or what you’d like to hear about on future episodes: https://bit.ly/MCHBridgesPilot. | |||
| Episode #9: Centering the Soul Ties to the Food We Eat: A Strategy for Equity in Nutrition Services | 27 Sep 2022 | 00:30:19 | |
This episode highlights the effects of structural racism and the history of our food system in the United States. It discusses the demonization of cultural foods, the use of Eurocentric dietary standards as the primary baseline for nutrition recommendations, and how these continue to contribute to the gap in nutrition inequality we see today. Tune in now to hear from guest speaker Sadé Meeks as she shares her concept of food as resistance and how we can empower communities through a holistic approach in the interconnected complexity of identity and food. As a subsequent part of this episode, AMCHP is inviting our listeners to watch Sadé’s documentary “Food as Resistance” [request free access code] and join us for the first-ever “Creating the Connections: MCH Bridges After-Episode” on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT [register]. This event will be moderated by AMCHP staff and will be joined live by Sadé, who will discuss your thoughts and reflections on the “Food as Resistance” documentary. More on the exclusion of Black Farmers in the U.S.: 'Rampant issues': Black farmers are still left out at USDA .Politico, Bustillo (2021). Water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi: *This episode was recorded prior to the Jackson, MS water crisis receiving national media attention, we encourage our listeners to learn more about this issue and support in whatever way you can by visiting the links below. 'They let us down': Water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, flows from systemic racism . Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Schrader (2022). Ways To Help: Jackson Water Crisis . Community Foundation For Mississippi (2022). | |||
| Episode #8: Public Health Across Borders: Unaccompanied Immigrant Children, Mental Health, and the U.S. Immigration System | 22 Aug 2022 | 00:23:59 | |
This episode explores the unique experiences of unaccompanied immigrant children (UICs) and the ways in which immigration impacts mental health. The Young Center, an organization dedicated to promoting immigrant children’s rights, ensures the safety and best interests of unaccompanied children in United States custody by advocating for them as they navigate the immigration system. In this episode, José Ortiz-Rosales, Deputy Director of the Young Center’s Child Advocate Program, and Anne Kelsey, Policy Analyst for Disability Rights at the Young Center, offer their perspectives on opportunities for the public health field to better support unaccompanied minors’ mental and physical health needs.
Please complete this short survey to share input on the episode and let us know who or what you’d like to hear about on future episodes: https://bit.ly/MCHBridgesPilot. | |||
| Episode #7: What's Public Health Got to Do With It? Maternal Health, Substance Use, and the Criminal Justice System | 12 Jul 2022 | 00:16:37 | |
This episode explores the unique experience of pregnant people navigating substance use disorders and the criminal justice system. Jenna’s Project, a program of UNC Horizons, works to support people in recovery at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women. In this episode, a mom shares her journey navigating incarceration while pregnant and recovering from a substance use disorder, and Essence Hairston, the program’s clinical instructor, offers her perspective on opportunities for the public health field to better support pregnant people who use substances.
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| Episode #6: The Kids Are Not Okay: Climate Change, Environmental Injustice, and What MCH & Youth Advocates Can Do | 27 Jun 2022 | 00:41:37 | |
In the first part of this episode, we talk with Rhea Goswami, co-founder of the Environmental Justice Coalition (EJC), about why youth engagement is so important, especially when working to address climate change and climate injustices, how MCH can engage with young people, the importance and impact that environmental health has on MCH populations, and the need for environmental and media literacy skills for children and youth. | |||
| Episode #5: Rest is Infinite: Shifting Our Mindsets on Rest & Productivity | 19 May 2022 | 00:32:29 | |
In this episode, we tackle the topic of redefining rest and productivity with Marissa McKool, Career and Life Coach. Marissa shares her personal wake up call on the brink of burnout, explores why we are sometimes hesitant to take time off, discusses how supervisors and managers can be more supportive of staff, the intersection of oppressive systems and thoughts on rest, and shares ideas and tips for reshaping our mindset throughout the conversation.
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| Episode #4: Preparing for the Unexpected: Lessons from MCH Emergency Preparedness & Response Efforts | 22 Apr 2022 | 00:24:09 | |
In the times we live in, we are constantly facing all sorts of emergencies and preparedness is essential to keep families safe and promote health and wellbeing in challenging situations. In this episode, we explore how Tennessee has intentionally centered communities of color in response efforts and learn about Puerto Rico’s experience facing emergencies like Zika, Hurricane Maria, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resources:
From Puerto Rico:
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| Episode #3 Part 2: Redesigning Birth Work For The Future with the InTune Mother Society | 25 Feb 2022 | 00:33:06 | |
In part two of this episode, a culturally centered perinatal wellness project, the InTune Mother Society, discuss Black entrepreneurship, ingenuity, how the maternal and child health field can equitably support community-rooted birth justice work. Please complete this short survey to share input on the episode and let us know who or what you’d like to hear about on future episodes: https://bit.ly/MCHBridgesPilot. TIMS is working hard to build capacity for our State Approved Perinatal Wellness Coach Certification program. The program is designed to prepare Central Oklahoma residents for a career as a Perinatal Wellness Coach. The program is approved by the US Department of Labor and Training Administration of Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB); our participants benefit from pioneering a job market that is focused on higher salaries that result from making Holistic Family Planning options accessible, through in-demand qualifications. Learn more about our community-based social innovation project at: https://timcenter.org/redesigning-birth-work-for-the-future/. The Willie Lynch letter mentioned in the episode is now believed to not be written by Willie Lynch himself, however it is widely promoted as an authentic account of slavery during the 18th century. Read more here. ***TRIGGER WARNING: This article quotes the Willie Lynch letter, which contains graphic, disturbing language such as stereotypes and racial slurs. What is Birth Justice? | |||
| Episode #3 Part 1: Redesigning Birth Work For The Future with the InTune Mother Society | 17 Feb 2022 | 00:34:08 | |
In part one of this episode, a culturally centered perinatal wellness project, the InTune Mother Society, shares their story and experiences connecting families with holistic approaches to wellness and eliminating barriers to accessible perinatal health care. Please complete this short survey to share input on the episode and let us know who or what you’d like to hear about on future episodes: https://bit.ly/MCHBridgesPilot. TIMS is working hard to build capacity for our State Approved Perinatal Wellness Coach Certification program. The program is designed to prepare Central Oklahoma residents for a career as a Perinatal Wellness Coach. The program is approved by the US Department of Labor and Training Administration of Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB); our participants benefit from pioneering a job market that is focused on higher salaries that result from making Holistic Family Planning options accessible, through in-demand qualifications. Learn more about our community-based social innovation project at: https://timcenter.org/redesigning-birth-work-for-the-future/. | |||
| Episode #2: Protecting Our Future: Vaccinating Children & Youth | 22 Nov 2021 | 00:27:47 | |
The episode features a panel of a parent, teenager, and pediatrician in a conversation on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine for children and adolescents and strategies to increase the confidence of parents and caregivers in the COVID-19 vaccine for their children. Please complete this short survey to share input on the episode and let us know who or what you’d like to hear about on future episodes: https://bit.ly/MCHBridgesPilot.
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| Episode #17: Medicaid Redetermination: Stories from Families to Inspire Action | 20 Feb 2024 | 00:36:26 | |
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker, as of February 1, over 16.4 million Medicaid and CHIP enrollees nationwide have been disenrolled and lost their coverage. Over 70% of people are losing coverage because of paperwork reasons, such as missing notices from the state Medicaid office and an inability to produce wage statements. Out of the states reporting age breakouts, children accounted for 38% of Medicaid disenrollments. Our latest MCH Bridges episode highlights the human experiences of what these alarming statistics mean for families across the country and emphasizes the role of leaders in maternal and child health (MCH) during this ongoing issue. Guest host Atyya Chaudhry dives into the stories of those with lived experience of losing Medicaid coverage and what organizations like the Florida Health Justice Project are doing to make an impact. Tune in to these important conversations with our guests Janis Fay and Alison Yager, who share their experiences and insight, as well as action steps that MCH advocates and individuals who are experiencing coverage loss can take.
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| Episode #1: A Conversation with AMCHP Presidents | 14 Sep 2021 | 00:22:45 | |
In this inaugural episode of MCH Bridges, we sit down with AMCHP’s President, Dr. Manda Hall, and AMCHP’s Past President, Dr. Shirley Payne, to talk about their MCH journeys, their wishes and hopes for the MCH field, and more! | |||
| Episode #16: What the Health is Ecology of Homelessness?! | 20 Nov 2023 | 00:41:26 | |
November is National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month. Severe weather, extreme temperatures, and natural disasters present vastly increased challenges for homeless communities. Listen to our latest MCH Bridges and What the Health?! crossover episode, led by AMCHP’s Youth Voice Amplified (YVA) committee, to learn about how climate change is directly affecting people experiencing homelessness. You’ll hear from guest hosts Mitra Kashani, environmental public health scientist, and Lisa Brooks, expert in the homelessness system, as they share what homelessness can look like from an individual and systems-level perspective – confronting common misconceptions, emphasizing the impacts of climate change on marginalized and rural communities, and highlighting the opportunities to address this issue by partnering with and centering people with lived experience. Tune in now to listen to guest host Amber Woodside and speakers Lisa and Mitra as they share their lived experiences and professional insights. In addition, as we enter into this season of giving and gratitude, consider ways you might be able to give back to your community members experiencing homelessness, especially youth.
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| Episode #15: Youth Perspectives on Mental Health: Supporting the Next Generation | 23 May 2023 | 00:39:44 | |
Listen to this MCH Bridges episode to hear three members of The Adolescent Champion Teen Advisory Council (TAC TAC), Melanie Avila, Fanta Guindo, and Yeina Han, share what adolescent and young adult mental health looks like in their communities, what they have experienced, and what needs to change. This episode talks about important concepts like positive youth development, youth-friendly services, and culturally competent care. It also identifies strategies for addressing barriers to youth seeking and accessing mental health services. · AMCHP’s Adolescent Health Current Initiatives · Adolescent Health Initiative · The Adolescent Champion Teen Advisory Council (TAC TAC) · Emerging Topical Issues in Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health (AMCHP Learning Module) · Innovation in Mental Health Service Delivery (AMCHP Learning Module) · Integration of Mental Health into Primary Care for Adolescents and Young Adults (AMCHP Learning Module) · MCH Workforce Capacity and Skillsets for Improving Mental Health Care Systems for AYAs (AMCHP Learning Module) · Screen to Intervene (AMCHP’s blog dedicated to Adolescent & Young Adult Mental Health) | |||
| Episode #14: The Joy of Autism: A New Way of Thinking | 25 Apr 2023 | 00:51:09 | |
In this MCH Bridges, we talk with AMCHP’s State Public Health Autism Resource Center’s (SPHARC) Autistic Faculty about the Autistic experience in a world that is centered around neurotypical people. You’ll hear from Autistic Faculty members Dave Caudel, Morénike Giwa Onaiwu, and Haley Moss about neurodiversity, ways that Autistic and non-Autistic people are similar and how we are all connected as humans, and what celebrating autistic joy means to them.
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| BONUS Episode: The AMCHP Annual Conference Experience | 19 Apr 2023 | 00:33:59 | |
This bonus episode captures the experience of attending the AMCHP Annual Conference from a variety of perspectives. As past attendees, our guest speakers shared what they learned, some pro tips for taking advantage of conference opportunities, and why it's important that we encourage and support youth and young adults, family leaders, community-rooted organizations, tribal government representatives, and students and early career professionals to attend the AMCHP Annual Conference. You’ll hear from Katherine Harvey, representing the perspective of a young adult leader, and Dana Yarbrough, a family leader and proud parent of a daughter with disabilities and special healthcare needs. You will also hear from Quatia (Q) Osorio, doula and founder of Our Journ3i, and Xenia Mendez, alumna of our Graduate Student Epidemiology Program (GSEP) representing students and early career professionals.
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| Episode #13: Healing Through Breastfeeding: Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future | 15 Mar 2023 | 00:36:50 | |
This interview episode highlights the journeys of Kimarie and Dalecia as they found their passion and purpose in helping lactating persons achieve their breastfeeding goals. Intertwining lived experience and the desire to make a difference, you will hear how Dalecia and Kimarie found their calling in breastfeeding work. You will learn about how breastfeeding has been a healing journey and a way to reconnect with our past. You will also hear about the ongoing challenges in accessing adequate and culturally appropriate breastfeeding, especially for black and brown communities. Dalecia Young, Founder and Full Spectrum Doula, Due North Support Services Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere, Inc (ROSE) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Breastfeeding Resources Library | |||
| Episode #12: We Need to Start Talking About Stillbirth | 24 Jan 2023 | 01:05:50 | |
This episode highlights the lived experiences of families who have experienced a stillbirth. You’ll hear from Jasmine Abraham and Nneka Hall, who share their personal experiences after Jasmine’s son Qasem and Nneka’s daughter Annaya were born still. You’ll also hear from Rose Horton, a nurse and Executive Director of Women and Infant Services at Emory Decatur Hospital who also created #NotOnMyWatch. You’ll learn about what stillbirth is and what we know about risk factors and prevention. The episode also discusses the short- and long-term impacts of the loss of a baby and what supports and systems-levels changes are needed. · Count the Kicks · Still Birthday Legislation: · Raising the Volume - Ending the Silent Epidemic of Stillbirth congressional briefing Common acronyms or terms you may hear in the loss community: · Sunshine baby: baby born before a loss | |||
| Episode #11: Community-Led Solutions for Change: The Story of Colorado's Birth Equity Bill Package | 21 Nov 2022 | 00:53:30 | |
In this special episode, AMCHP's MCH Bridges teams up with the Maternal Health Innovation podcast to explore maternal health policy successes, challenges and opportunities. Guest host Laura Powis, AMCHP's Evidence-Based Policy and Practice Program Manager, is joined by Indra Lusero, founder of the Elephant Circle; Demetra Seriki, Midwife at A Mother's Choice Midwifery; and George Davis V, a community member on Elephant Circle's Birth Equity Implementation Steering Committee to discuss Colorado's Birth Equity Bill Package. This recently passed legislation is a comprehensive and community-led response to the maternal health crisis designed to increase access and decrease inequities in obstetric care in the state.
Have you been involved in the development, implementation, or evaluation of a policy that benefits MCH populations? Share it with your peers through AMCHP's Innovation Hub! Learn more and submit your work here. | |||
| Episode #20: Care Maps: The Power of Mapping Support for Children & Families | 20 Sep 2024 | 00:49:01 | |
This episode dives into the world of care mapping, as a continued conversation from a skills-building session at the 2024 AMCHP Annual Conference. Care mapping serves as a powerful tool to help families and professionals coordinate and enhance support and care for children and youth with special health care needs. By visualizing the complex network of care, these maps improve communication and foster a shared understanding among all involved. This episode also explores innovative uses of care mapping, including how it can aid youth in articulating their mental health needs. Tune in to join our guest speakers in discovering how care mapping can transform the way we approach and manage health care for children, families, and beyond! Resources:
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| Episode #21: Navigating Prenatal Diagnoses: Fostering Equity & Reducing Harm for Parents of Children with Down Syndrome | 18 Oct 2024 | 00:39:11 | |
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. In this episode of MCH Bridges, guest host and Lettercase Program Director Dr. Stephanie Meredith reviews some of the findings from her recent study focused on the experiences of parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. Dr. Meredith approaches her research as the mother of a 24-year-old son with Down syndrome. Additionally, listeners will gain insight from a recent project aimed at improving support for Black and Hispanic new and expectant parents of children with Down syndrome. Throughout the episode, Dr. Meredith uplifts the lived experiences of guest speakers Ayah Ibrahim and Tatiana Salinas, two mothers of children with Down syndrome, and emphasizes the importance and real-world impact of their diagnosis experiences. You will also hear from Katie Stoll, providing the perspective of a healthcare professional and leader of the Genetic Support Foundation on how to best support clinicians and families who receive care. Tune in to witness an important conversation between our guest host and speakers as they delve into what advocates and healthcare professionals can do to reduce emotional harm and disability bias and, instead, empower parents with information and support during this critical time. Disclaimer: The views presented in this podcast are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI®), its Board of Governors, or Methodology Committee.
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| Episode #22: Black Trans Joy: Childbirth & Medicine | 27 Nov 2024 | 00:33:52 | |
Guest Speakers:
Guest Host:
November is Transgender Awareness Month. Tune in to the latest episode of What The Health?! Black Trans Joy: Childbirth & Medicine, a special feature led by AMCHP’s Youth Voice Amplified Committee, presented by MCH Bridges. Guest Host Dorcas A. guides us through a powerful conversation with Allyn Cropper and Eve Lovelace-Cropper, a Black trans couple sharing their experiences of navigating the journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. In this episode, Allyn reflects on his personal experience of pregnancy and childbirth, sharing the joys, challenges, and complexities of giving birth as a transmasculine man. Eve, his wife, also offers her perspective on their shared journey and her experiences as a transwoman embarking upon parenthood. The couple discusses the support and strategies that helped them navigate the healthcare system and their advice for other trans people interested in starting a family. This conversation invites listeners to reflect on the importance of joy, community, and affirming spaces for trans people in the healthcare system. It offers valuable lessons for those in the maternal and child health field, challenging us all to advocate for more inclusive and equitable reproductive care — especially for those who exist at the intersection of gender and racial identities. Resources: | |||