6400 Prospect Ave., Suite 216, KCMO 64132 (816) 283-6242 phone (816) 283-0307 FAX www.mchc.net

Every child deserves a healthy start; it is the best gift a community can give its children and itself. Mother & Child Health Coalition works together with community partners and families to promote wellness and advocate excellence in health care.

MCHC IS A UNITED WAY AGENCY

W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 N E W S L E T T E R

MOTHER & CHILDHEALTH COALITIONA bistate catalyst for improving maternal, child and family health in the greater Kansas City community

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for all these important events in 2013. For more information and to register, go to mchc.net

HAVE ASAFE, HEALTHY

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WINTER 2013 JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH COALITION MEMBERSHIP ONLINE! TWO

W I N T E R 2 0 1 3 N E W S L E T T E R

You may join, or renewyour membership in the Coalition

during the Quarterly meetingsor at any time on our secure Website:

http://www.mchc.net/join.htm. Individual membership is still

only $25 per year.

O U R N E W A N D R E N E W I N G M E M B E R S Your valuable financial and in-kind support helps us continue our many programs and activities. Our heart-felt thanks go out to the following new (N) and renewing (R) members and partners for the period of July - December 2012. Please let us know of any errors or ommissions.

Thanksfor helping ME to be

HEALTHY and SAFE!

MCHC STAFF DIRECTORY

Susan McLoughlin, Executive Director Ext. 253; smcloughlin@mchc.net

Anne Biswell, Communications Coordinator Ext. 226; abiswell@mchc.net

Mary Jean Brown, Fetal Infant Mortality Review Project Coordinator - Ext. 248 mjbrown@mchc.net

Paul Cesare, Coalition Coordinator Ext. 239; pcesare@mchc.net

Jean Craig, KC Healthy Start Project Director Ext. 225; jcraig@mchc.net

Gina Hopkins, Financial Manager Ext. 224; ghopkins@mchc.net

Pat Martin, Clinical Nurse Family Advocate Ext. 252; pmartin@mchc.net

Frieda Tresvan, Director of Education & Health Promotion - Ext. 251; ftresvan@mchc.net

Regina Weir, Immunization and Childhood Injury Prevention Coordinator

Ext. 244; rweir@mchc.net

Renee Robinson Administrative Assistant Ext. 243; rrobinson@mchc.net

MCHC BOARD OF DIRECTORS2012-2013

Michele Malone – ChairAnnette Campbell – Past ChairTerrie Garrison - Chair Elect

Angie Knackstedt – Secretary Linda Steinke – Treasurer

Susan McLoughlin – Ex-officioJosie Adams

ODessa BlockerAshlee Folsom

Catherine GordonVictoria HanleyKrystal Hardman

Sharon Harris-BaughXimena Ilabaca-Somoza

Kim KimminauAnna LambertsonDana Leonard

Bryan LoveCorrina Roberts Gee

Theresa Rodgers CampbellWilaiporn Rojjanasrirat

Charron TownsendDawana Wade

Would your agency like to display your materials

at one of our upcomingQuarterly meetings?

Please contact the office at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting date at

(816) 283-MCHC (6242) ext. 251

6400 Prospect Ave., Suite 216, KCMO 64132 (816) 283-MCHC (6242) phone

(816) 283-0307 FAX

www.mchc.net

INDIVIDUALSArif Ahmed (R), Tracey Allen-Ehrhart (R), Dairi Amaya (N), Anne Biswell (R), Rosemary Boudreaux (N), Maureen Butsch (N), Christina Casper (N), Aubrey Coakley (N), Erin Cole (N), Mayme Collard (N), M. Janet Colson (N), Alice Criger (R), Betty Crooker (R), Sharon K. DeMoss (N), Bonnie Fairchild (R), Susan Flowers (N), Ashley Follett (N), Jody Hammerschmidt (N), Victoria Hanley (N), Ruth Ellen Hanson (R), Susan Hensley (N), Cheri Hunt (R), Mary Lyn Hunter (R), Norge Jerome (R), Stephanie Jones (N), Sandy Kapka (R), Brooke King (R), Mary Kruger (R), Mary Grace Lanese (R), Tawny Marrs (R), Susan McLoughlin (R), Margaret Meier (N), Vicki Miller (R), David Mundy (R), Roselia Murillo (N), Cami Nettekoven (N), Betty Novak (R), Mary O’Connor (R), Sydney Parker (N), Carol Ann Petersen (R), Pete Potts (N), Margo Quiriconi (R), Maria Reyes (N), Elaine Riordan (R), Theresa Rodgers Campbell (R), Pam Runyon (N), Michelle Sanders (N), Katie Schatte (R), Kristin Schlenk (N), JoAnne Shay (R), Kara Shelman (N), Linda Steinke (R), Rosanne Stoneking (N), Mary Sweat (R), Oneta Templeton- McMann (R), Frances Thexton (N), Sara Weber (N), Sara Wiercinski (N).

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSKansas City MO Health Department (R-Sustainer) Josie Adams, Ursula Copeland, Connie Farakhan, Marty Galutia, Dalana Johnson, Wanda Kessell, Wendy Landes, Lateak Nelson, Jeanine Qualls, Christine Riederer, Amy Roberts, Sarah Stow, Sarah Warmington, Tiffany Wilkinson, Kim Wilson, Jelene Wynn.

Research Medical Center (R- Sustainer) Members to be determined.

North Kansas City Hospital (R- Benefactor) Bert Barnett, Pattie Bradley, Renee Fea, Kelly Josephine, Deanna Kelly, Michele Malone, Dawn McBee, Janel Zion.

Swope Health Services (R- Benefactor) Dorothy Fonza, Lakeisha Gandy, Jill Mall, Marva

Mosely, Dhana Rengachary, Janice Valtreese, Tijuana Williams.

UMKC Institute for Human Development (R- Benefactor) Mike Abel, Cynthia Beckman, Carl Calkins, Kathy Fuger, Vim Horn, Tom McVeigh, Melissa Newkirk, Derrick Willis.

HealthCare USA (R-Patron) Renee Hendrickson, Brenda Johnson, Zoila Gonzales, Kelly Cooper, Beverly Krohn, Dana Pamintuan.

Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (N- Patron) Michela Fry, Amy Marks, Janie Thornberg, Shannon Williams.

New Birth Company (R-Patron) Doris Babu, Laurissa Ballew, Laura Boujakly, Bree Young.

The Family Conservancy (R- Donor) Katrina Ball, Dean Olson.

WINTER 2013 JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH COALITION MEMBERSHIP ONLINE! THREE

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Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure. CO-related hospitalization and CO-related emergency department visits are highest in the winter months.

Each year from 1999 to 2004, more than 20 children ages 14 and under died from unintentional, non-fire-related CO poisoning, in the U.S. Of all age groups, children ages 4 and under have the highest rates of emergency department visits for CO-related incidents. Because of their high metabolic rates and high tissue oxygen demands, children are biologically at increased risk of CO poisoning when exposed to CO.

The most common symptoms include headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and confusion. In severe cases, the person may lose consciousness or even die. CO poisoning can often be mistaken for other illnesses, such as the flu or food poisoning. If there is a CO leak, more than one person in the house will often suffer symptoms at the same time. To decrease the risk of CO poisoning the following strategies are recommended:

• Install a CO alarm inside your home at a central location outside every sleeping area.

• Place CO alarms at least 15 feet away from every fuel-burning appliance to reduce the number of nuisance alarms.

• Test alarms every month and replace them according to manufacturer’s instructions.

• Make sure alarms can be heard, especially where individuals are sleeping, and be sure everyone in the family knows what to do if the alarm sounds.

• Have all gas, oil or coal burning appliances inspected by a technician every year to ensure they are working correctly and are properly ventilated.

• Never use a stove for heating.

• Never use a grill, generator or camping stove inside your home, garage or near a window.

• Never leave a car, SUV or motorcycle engine running inside a garage, even if the garage door is open.

If your CO alarm goes off, follow these simple steps:

• Get everyone into fresh air immediately and call for help.

• If you’re experiencing symptoms, call 911 for medical attention.

(Compiled from information from the Centers for Disease Control, Consumer Products Safety Commission, and Safe Kids Worldwide.)

WINTER SAFETY TIP: Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning

VOLUNTEERS ARE THE

LIFE-BLOOD OF MCHC. Thanks for all you do!

The most recent 2012 MAIC quarterly meeting was held on December 4th at the Rockhurst Community Center. Kit Wagar, Affordable Care Act Specialist, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was keynote speaker and provided information on the ACA, especially its impact on women, children and immunizations.

Congratulations to our 2012 Immunization Heroes:

Best Practice – Vanessa

Prather, “No Child Left Be-hind” Pediatric Immuniza-tion Initiative.

Best Practice – Dr. Ximena Ilabaca-Somoza, MPH, Sec-tion Chief, Health Policy and Planning and Corrie Lutte, BSN, RN | Epidemiology Specialist, Clay County Pub-lic Health Center, for their

“Just in Time Training and Assurance for H1N1 Vaccine Providers.”Silver Syringe – Liberty

Medical Center for imple-menting a policy for all em-ployees to be immunized against the flu.

Thank you to the MAIC Steering Committee and MAIC membership for making 2012 a successful year! We’re looking forward to working together in 2013.

MAIC 2012 IMMUNIZATION HERO AWARDS

WINTER 2013 JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MOTHER & CHILD HEALTH COALITION MEMBERSHIP ONLINE! FOUR

F A L L 2 0 1 2 N E W S L E T T E R

We’re on Twitter! Follow us at www.twitter.com/mchc_dot_netand help spread the good word about our news and activities.

A W O R D F R O M T H E C H A I R

“We can only create and re-define

our community’s future by

working together.”

Michele Malone, RN, MHL, NEA-B 2012-2013 MCHC Chairperson,

Director of Women’s Services, North Kansas City Hospital

Santa (above) delighted children and adults alike at the annual Kansas City Healthy Start (KCHS) Holiday Celebration, held Friday December 7 at Research Medical Center Brook-side. After a delicious catered meal, KCHS participants chose from gifts for their families, (below) provided by Target, Truman Medical Center Volunteer Services, and Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Liberty. Thanks to all the staff and vol-unteers who made this event so success-ful. Special thanks to Rita Muehlbach for once again organizing the more-than-generous contribution from her church community!

You are all MUCH appreciated!

KANSAS CITY HEALTHY START

UPDATE

As a program of Mother & Child Health Coalition, the Kansas City Healthy Start (KCHS) program touched the lives of over 300 families this year, who voluntarily participated in the program. Although many of these families are challenged with issues related to health disparities, they show resilience and tremendous determination in making decisions that will improve the health and safety of their babies and family members. Their decisions are what help make our community strong.

As we close out another successful year of providing services, we want to thank the KCHS staff and care coordination teams, volunteers and all others who continue to go beyond expectations to work to improve our community through the families we serve.

To learn more about KCHS and how you can become involved with the program, contact Dr. Jean Craig, KCHS project director at (816) 283-6242 ext. 225 or jcraig@mchc.net.

Above: Kansas City Healthy Start participants took advantage of free flu vaccine, provided by Walgreen’s, at the

annual holiday celebration.

I hope you had a chance to read our holiday letter, about a pair of three-month-old twins (KC Healthy Start babies) who were close to being homeless. Their dad had surgery and was unable to work for two months. They got behind on their rent and were threatened with eviction. But because of the network of support provided by MCHC and their Healthy Start care coordination team, the twins, their four siblings and their Mom and Dad were able to celebrate the holidays snug in their home.

The fresh start of a New Year is a great opportunity to reflect on the differences, like this one, that we can make.  Our community relies upon MCHC’s  Healthy Start Program, immunization services, and Safe Kids Metro KC child injury prevention efforts.  We  help lead the fight against childhood obesity through the Weighing In collaborative,  and promote Safe Haven for Newborns across the metro, preventing babies from losing their lives through abandonment.    Yet, there are always new issues and concerns that we must address through our mission. As we ring in the New Year, we’re convening a program on Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation at our Quarterly Meeting. Please join me in our efforts to safeguard everyone’s children from this threat on January 25th, 8-11 a.m. at the Research Brookside Campus. For 2013, our New Year’s resolution is still our vision - that every mother and child in our community will be healthy.  Let’s keep up this good work, together. 

HAPPY NEW YEARMichele Malone