August 26, 2010
For the past year, the 42 professionals and parents of the Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative have worked collaboratively to formulate Autism Spectrum Disorders: Missouri Best Practice Guidelines for Screening, Diagnosis, and Assessment. Knowing that childrens outcomes are greatly improved with earlier diagnosis and treatment of ASDs, the groups goal has been to work from the most current research to facilitate these critical first steps.
Tailored specifically for Missouri clinicians, educators, service providers and families, the Guidelines are intended to help with informed decision-making regarding identification, diagnosis, and assessment for intervention planning.
The Guidelines are based on a community collaboration model which recognizes that ASDs are complex disorders that require a range of services. Missouris approach to providing these comprehensive services acknowledges that individuals with ASDs and their families are part of a much larger framework of ongoing services, including medical, educational, and social services, plus others such as child care and residential care. This collaboration looks differently for each family, however its primary goal remains the same: To promote the healthy development and well-being of each child and family.
Missouri Autism Guidelines (.pdf file)
July 19, 2010
The MO-AAP Chapter has been invited to participate in the Missouri Office of Health Information Technology (MO-HITECH) project, established to promote the use of standardized electronic health records (EHRs) by doctors, hospitals, clinics and other health care providers, and to support secure, statewide health information exchange (HIE). The office is part of the Department of Social Services (DSS), lead by DSS Director Ronald J. Levy.
MO-HITECH has applied and received federal stimulus money made available by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), specifically through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the 6.8 in federal stimulus money is designed to implement statewide health information exchange (HIE).
From our Missouri AAP Chapter Drs. Kathleen Berchelmann, Washington University, St. Louis and Laura Fitzmaurice with Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City have attended numerous meetings. If you are interested on their “take” you may request their report to the Board of Directors by emailing Johanna Derda jbderda@aap.net
Participating Pediatricians may receive as much and up to $44,000, many are expected to take advantage of the funds. For more information contact:
Cora Butler, JD, RN, CHC at Primaris
800-735-6776 ext: 205
or log on to: http://www.primaris.org/ehr_help
July 6, 2010
The Spring meeting of the Missouri AAP Chapter dealt exclusively with “Improving Access to Pediatric Mental Health Care in Missouri.” It was held in St. Louis, June 26, 2010, in conjunction with the Chapter Board meeting. Our host, St. Children’s Hospital, was instrumental in organizing this event; the venue was perfect at the EPNEC. The audience heard firsthand from the Department of Mental Health and MoHealthNet of various avenues available to obtain help for children in need of mental health. Dr. John Constantino, Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Washington University, School of Medicine, stressed the need for more collaboration between all agencies and MoAAP. Representative Jeff Grisamore, District 47, Chair of the Children’s Service Commission, discussed the efforts of MoAAP to make changes to the structure of the commission by adding private stakeholders. This effort will be ongoing for some time and will be pursued during the next legislative session.
If you were unable to attend this event but wish to access the educational materials you are encouraged to contact Johanna Derda at 573-301-3468 or email her at jbderda@aap.net Watch our website for additional details.
February 10, 2010
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is promoting use of the text4baby free mobile phone service by pregnant women and new moms to encourage optimal outcomes for Missouri’s mothers and babies.
Download Text 4 Baby - Pregnancy Messages 86kb Excel file (.xls)
February 10, 2010
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is promoting use of the text4baby free mobile phone service by pregnant women and new moms to encourage optimal outcomes for Missouri’s mothers and babies.
Download Text 4 Baby - First Year Messages 75kb Excel file (.xls)
January 22, 2010
The AAP Parenting Corner is now part of our new website for parents in Missouri as well: www.healthychildren.org
HealthyChildren.org is the only parenting Web site backed by 60,000 pediatricians committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Whether you’re looking for general information related to child health or for more specific guidance on parenting issues, HealthyChildren.org is the right place. You’ll find information regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics’ many programs and activities, our policies and guidelines, our publications and other child health resources, as well as much, much more. Best of all, you can rest assured that the information comes from the nation’s leading child health experts and that we have scientific research supporting our recommendations.
Click here to visit HealthyChildren.org
December 1, 2009
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Genetics and Healthy Childhood is pleased to announce the posting of its new Perinatal Depression web page. The page provides information on this disorder for pregnant women, new moms, family and friends, and healthcare providers. The page also provides information on available resources.
To promote the website, the Department has developed 5 x 8 inch cards with information on the website. These cards are not for individual distribution, but are to be placed in waiting rooms in healthcare provider offices and local public health agencies for visitors to review and take if they have an interest.
To obtain an initial supply of 25 of these cards for use in your waiting room, complete the order form and fax to Karen Schenk or Leslie Seifert at 573-751-6185
Click here to review the card (PDF)
September 14, 2009
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food packages are undergoing monumental changes as of October 1, 2009. Currently, over 50% of the women, infants and children in the United States are eligible for WIC, and the numbers are no different for the state of Missouri. To learn more about the key points related to the food package changes, please follow this link.
