MCH Student eNewsletter

*Please note that updates on COVID-19 change daily. Please double-check these resources before using or disseminating them.

Health Information

• The CDC provides a comprehensive website, updated with the latest COVID-19 information.

• The Maternal and Child Health Bureau put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Maternal and Child Health during the COVID-19 crisis.

• The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provides situation updates on the disease’s spread within the state, as well as frequently asked questions available here. MDH also has coronavirus pages in Hmong, Somali, Spanish, as well as a PSA video in American Sign Language. Many more informational flyers in other languages can be found here.

• There are two Minnesota hotlines with language interpreters available:

• Community Mitigation Questions (for any school, child care, and business questions): 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (staffed by MDE and DHS from 7 AM - 7 PM)

• Health Questions: 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (staffed by MDH from 7 AM - 7 PM).

• The Star Tribune has Lifted Paywalls for all Coverage Related to COVID-19. You can track Minnesota cases here, and can also subscribe to their free daily newsletter to get email updates on the latest information about COVID-19 in Minnesota.

Service Information

• Metro Transit suspended service of bus and light rail service between 11:00 PM and 4:30 AM. Those who rely on transit should use discretion, take action to prevent the spread of germs, and consider alternative transportation modes if concerned. Riders should expect that service may be somewhat unpredictable, similar to days when there is severe winter weather. The most efficient way to track your trip as you use the system will be to use the Show My Bus feature. Latest Transit updates can be found here.

Mental Health

• Mindfulness for Students will begin hosting weekly events online via Zoom in an effort to cultivate community and connection during this time of uncertainty and physical isolation.

• Join these Zoom Meetings: Fridays 6:00 - 7:00 PM CST through May 8, 2020

• Learn to Live

• Learn to Live is an online mental health service that could be especially helpful during this time for our students who are experiencing depression and anxiety.

• Combating Social Isolation

• This Scientific American article provides some advice for preserving your mental health while avoiding physical proximity. One idea includes “One Minute Kindness”, or sending a short, kind message to someone in your life.

• Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Are you taking care of children during the COVID-19 pandemic, or do you know someone who is? This resource guide, put together by Child Trends, follows guidance and recommendations by the CDC for supporting children’s mental health during this stressful time.

MCH student, Teale Greylord, offered her perspective on handling this "new normal." Consider reading her reflections if you are interested in how she is staying active, engaging with peers, accommodating a new schedule, and more. Are you interested in sharing your experiences? Email us at mch@umn.edu for more information.

-Read about Teale's experience here

As the 2019-2020 school year comes to a close, the MCHIG will be looking for additional students to join our executive board for the following academic year. Please fill out this form to apply for this leadership position. If you have any questions please email mch@umn.edu. Please complete the form no later than April 10.

-To learn more about position descriptions and benefits

Congratulations to Center RA and fellow MCH student, Teale Greylord, on becoming a recipient of the President’s Student Leadership and Service Award! This award recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of University of Minnesota student leaders.

Congratulations to our Center Director, Sara Benning, who reached 5 years with the EpiCH Division at the UMN School of Public Health! Sara is an integral part of the MCH program, and we are so grateful to have her!

The Minnesota Women’s Health Report Card paints a broad picture of how women in Minnesota are faring, and we are happy to announce that this resource is now available in Spanish, Somali, Hmong and English! If you know of people or organizations who may benefit from this resource, please connect them with the 2018 Report Card.

-View the announcement

UMN MCH student Biana Zarders was featured in this month’s MCH Blog Post, where she highlights her work with the Minneapolis Public Schools Early Childhood Screening. “Working with communities is so important because you see first hand the effect a new system change could make on an individual. But there is so much strength in joining efforts, collaborating with various stakeholders, states and national efforts in order for change to happen.” - Bianca Zarders

-Read this blog post

Bianca shared her experience working with MPS, helping to educate country-wide stakeholders on the importance of vision screening in children.

-Read about Bianca’s experience here

Assistant Professor Dr. Jaime Slaughter-Acey was featured in this Spartan News article, highlighting disparities in infant mortality rates. Dr. Slaughter-Acey states, “the persistent disparity in infant mortality rates between black and white infants is a result of structural racism.”

-Read the Michigan State University article here

CALLING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS! The Women’s Center and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) invite international students to apply for the new Culture Corps Gender Equity Award. This $500 award is given annually to an international student, to support their work bringing a global perspective on advancing gender equity to campus. Applications are due Friday, June 12th, 2020, for projects taking place between September 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021.

-For more info and to apply

Wednesday, April 1, 2020 | 12:00 - 1:15 PM CST

Participants will learn how to increase the health of their communities by making physical activity opportunities more culturally relevant. The webinar will feature two community leaders making youth sports more accessible.

-Register here

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 | 12:30 - 1:15 PM CST

This webinar will offer an opportunity to reconnect with yourself while you try out practices and skills that are simple to remember, easy to apply, and nourishing for your whole being.

-Register here

Sunday, April 26, 2020 - Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | Times Vary

This webinar will explore cutting-edge information and teach practical strategies you can apply directly to your work with children and families. You may now register for the online version of this event.

-Register here

To Be Determined

This fifth annual Upper Midwest QTBIPOC Conference seeks to empower marginalized communities through education, advocacy, and community-building. Please note that the event has been postponed, with hopes to be held at a later date.

To Be Determined

This community conversation takes place during Black Maternal Health Week, and centers Black and Indigenous mamas with changemaking health professionals, Minnesotan government representatives and community leaders. Please note that this event has been postponed, with hopes to be held in the fall of 2020.

Due to COVID-19, many events you may have planned to attend have been cancelled. Please read below to see a list of cancelled events for the month of April.

• Health Disparities Round Table

• Annual UMN Spring Powwow

• Let’s Talk About It!

• Batey Relief Alliance Discussion with Ulrick Gaillard

Every month we will send you information on MCH Navigator training, organized around the 12 MCH Leadership Competencies. Each competency sits within one of three larger foci areas: self, others, and the community. This month we will focus on Competency #8: Family-Professional Partnerships. Family-professional partnerships at all levels of the system of care ensure the health and wellbeing of children, including those with special health care needs, and their families through respectful family-professional collaboration and shared decision making.

-Learn more about Family-Professional Partnerships

There is no April Career Pro-Tip for the month of April.

The Career Pro-Tip will return in May!

Director of the Career & Professional Development Team, Vic Massaglia, will be hosting two Drop-In Hours over Zoom on the following April dates:

Wednesday, April 1 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM CST

Friday, April 3 | 9:30 - 11:00 AM CST

-Join the Zoom hours here

National Public Health Week will be observed during April 6-12. American Public Health Association events will be entirely online this year in order to protect the health of their partners and neighbors. If you can’t join, they have put together an article on how to celebrate and embrace public health while embracing social distancing.

-Read here

April is National Cesarean Awareness Month. The rate of cesarean births is increasing around the world, and it is important for child-bearing persons to understand the benefits and risks. Check out this NPR article about C-sections, or read this poem by Jordan Birch.

April is National Minority Health Month. This month focuses on raising awareness about the disparities and inequities that exist and continue to grow for racial and ethnic minorities. To learn more about minority health, consider visiting the Office of Minority Health website.

"Black Illustrations" is an online design company that helps artists create illustrations of black individuals in order to increase inclusion in art, graphics and marketing. Check it out here!

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. We all have a right to safety in our daily lives — to have our boundaries respected and make choices about what happens to our bodies — at home, school, the workplace, and in public places. That sense of wellbeing and safety can be taken away by knowing that sexual assault, harassment, and abuse are common and not always taken seriously. Consider visiting the National Sexual Violence Resource Center for prevention, response and educational resources.

The aims of the Center include providing continuing professional education in maternal and child health (MCH) and support for students in online and in-person MCH graduate programs at the University of Minnesota. Center and MCH Program faculty are involved in research and training in infant and child health, adolescent health, family health, health disparities, reproductive health, and women's health.

The Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number T76MC00005 for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health in the amount of $1,725,000. This information or content and conclusions of our outreach products are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

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