Healthy Generations eNewsletter

Monthly Resource: Justice-Involved Women and Children (JIWC) Newsletter

The JIWC Collaborative, hosted by the Center, publishes a monthly newsletter highlighting research, policies, resources, and events related to pregnancy, parenting, and child wellbeing in the context of incarceration. It features contributions from faculty, researchers, practitioners, students, and community partners dedicated to maternal and child health (MCH) and advancing the wellbeing of justice-involved women, children, and families. Read the latest issue (January 2026) here.

Please subscribe and share with colleagues, students, policymakers, practitioners, and others who may be interested in this work. Visit the archive to read past issues, and contact jiwc@umn.edu with questions or to share JIWC-focused resources for newsletter inclusion.

Student Spotlight: How is Meredith Shimek’s Title V Internship Preparing Her to Advance Health Equity, Education, and Leadership in Public Health?

#UMNMCH student Meredith Shimek reflects on her deployment with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as a Title V MCH Data and Community Engagement Intern, and how she supported the department’s efforts to advance the health of Minnesotan families. Read more about her experience here.

MCH Leads Blog: Learning, Leading, and Listening–My Journey in MCH

Oluwatosin Adeniyi-Miller, MPH student with a concentration in MCH from the Center for Excellence at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, is the February feature for MCH Leads. In her blog entry, Oluwatosin shares extensive expertise as co-founder for Criado, an Atlanta-based reproductive health nonprofit through MCH Competency 8 (Honoring Lived Experience) and Competency 11 (Systems Approach). “This work most strongly aligns with Competency 11: Systems Approach, as it required understanding and strengthening the connections between clinical care, community-based services, and postpartum support systems for Black mothers with chronic conditions.” Learn more about Oluwatosin’s contributions here!

Mini-Lab flyer for the "Using Digital Storytelling for Community Engagement & Health Promotion" Event

Bright Spots Mini-Lab: Using Digital Storytelling for Community Engagement and Health Promotion with Dr. Abby Lohr and Graciela Porraz Capetillo

February 19, 2026 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm CT | Virtual via Zoom

This Bright Spots Mini-Lab Session, co-sponsored by the UMN Prevention Research Center, features Dr. Abby Lohr and Graciela Porraz Capetillo. Through this session, participants will be able to:

-Describe the theoretical foundations of digital storytelling as a health promotion intervention

-Apply insights from case examples to conceptualize how digital storytelling can be used as a health promotion intervention

-Discuss ethical considerations and participatory approaches when using digital storytelling with diverse populations

–Register here

Women’s Health Research Conference: Past, Present, and Future of Women’s Health Research

February 20, 2026 | 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm CT | Humphrey School Conference Center

The Center for Women’s Health Research (CWHR) is hosting its 20th anniversary conference. “Connect with fellow researchers, healthcare professionals, and students for this in-person, half-day event full of insightful discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities.”

–Register here

Mini Lab flyer for the "Using Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) to Understand the Impacts of a Public Health Partnership" Event

Using Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) to Understand the Impacts of a Public Health Partnership with Dr. Scott Chazdon, Dr. Rebecca Shlafer, and Ingie Osman

Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm CT

In this Bright Spots Mini-Lab session, Dr. Scott Chazdon will guide participants through the methodology and goals of Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) and how it can be used as an evaluation tool for community-engaged programs. To highlight the applications of REM in public health practice, Dr. Rebecca Shlafer and Ingie Osman will describe how this method informed their work with the Model Jail Practices Learning Community to support families impacted by incarceration.

–Register here

Health Disparities Roundtable: Reinforcing Solidarity in Health Equity–Community-Building in Our Current Climate

April 10, 2026 | 9:00 - 11:30 am CT | Hybrid, Mississippi Room and Zoom

The Health Disparities Roundtable, hosted by the Health Equity Work Group (HEWG), is an annual event focused on exploring key issues in public health research, policy, and practice. It features speakers from both local and national levels who share strategies for prevention and solutions to improve health outcomes.

–Register here

Relationships, Transparency, and Trust in Developing a Community Advisory Board/Team: “Let’s Tell Each Other What We Really, Really Want”

February 13, 2026 | 9:00 - 11:00 am CT | 2001 Plymouth Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN

At this free workshop, hosted by the group "Community Engaged to Advance Research in Community Health (CEARCH)," participants will:

Understand the whats, hows, and whys of establishing a community advisory board/team (CAB/T). Special focus will be on community-researcher relationships, communication, clearly-defined roles, and how collaboratively developed charters can support these partnerships
Examine examples of community advisory boards/teams based on authentic relationships and that utilize and promote community-engaged principles and practices
Apply workshop content to their current research, including needs, goals, and practices

–Register here

Black Maternal Health Week National Call: Rooted in Justice and Joy

February 24, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT | Virtual

The Black Mamas Matter Alliance is hosting its annual national call during Black Maternal Health Week. Anyone is welcome to attend. This year’s aim for the call is to “build shared energy for a community-centered week of learning, connection, and action.”

–Register here

2026 Training Course in MCH Epidemiology

June 22-26, 2026 | San Antonio, Texas

CityMatCH and the MCH Bureau are currently accepting applications for an intermediate to advanced level training course in MCH epidemiology. Read more about the process and qualifications here.

–Apply here by March 6, 2026

National Women’s Health Conference

March 11-13, 2026 | Details Forthcoming | Washington, D.C.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Women’s Health is hosting its first ever conference on women’s health.

–Register here

Facilitation to Build Trust, Share Power, and Share Knowledge

March 13, 2026 | 9:00 - 11:00 am CT | 2001 Plymouth Ave. N, Minneapolis, MN 55411

Sarah Jane Keaveny and Macey Flood will present this free workshop in partnership with the Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center.

–Register here

CASCW Spring Conference: Meeting the Moment–Immigration and Child Welfare

April 22, 2026 | 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CT | Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, MN

This free spring conference hosted by the UMN's Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) will promote “shared learning, dialogue, and collaboration to help child welfare professionals better understand the experiences of immigrant children and families, and to strengthen their ability to support them effectively.

–Register here

Reading List for Children Facing a Caregiver's Separation, Deportation, or Detention
Explore Reference this reading list for children ages 2-12, created by the UMN MCH Interest Group, the MN Department of Health, and UMN Extension.

Supporting Children After a Parent's Deportation or Detention
Visit the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) website for helpful resources available in 11 languages.

Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing: Immigrant Children and Families in Early Care and Education Settings
This research- informed brief from Arizona State University’s Children’s Equity Project has recommendations for early childhood staff, educators, and public health professionals.
Child Trends’ Data Development Dashboard
Explore Child Trends recently released dashboard, which reflects national data surrounding child development, specifically of 3-year olds across the United States.
New Title X Expectations Wheel
Check out this new Title X Expectations Wheel from the Reproductive Health National Training Center.
Menstrual Health Resources from Our Bodies Our Selves
Watch recent webinars presented by Our Bodies Ourselves in partnership with MassNOW, MA Menstrual Equity Coalition, and Sister Song: Third Annual Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Summit and Power in the Flow: Menstrual Equity and Reproductive Justice.

Ask Us Anything: Communicating About Immunization in 2026
Explore new resources and a webinar recording from the Public Health Communications Collaborative.
February National Observance Resources:

You received this message because you have subscribed to the Healthy Generations listserv. Please note the information in this newsletter are those of the authors or event organizers and should not be construed as sponsored/endorsed by the Center. This newsletter is produced monthly by the Center for Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Email mch@umn.edu to have your event, resource, or publication included in our eNewsletter.

Healthy Generations eNewsletter

February 2026

Monthly Resource: Justice-Involved Women and Children (JIWC) Newsletter

Student Spotlight: How is Meredith Shimek’s Title V Internship Preparing Her to Advance Health Equity, Education, and Leadership in Public Health?

MCH Leads Blog: Learning, Leading, and Listening–My Journey in MCH

Bright Spots Mini-Lab: Using Digital Storytelling for Community Engagement and Health Promotion with Dr. Abby Lohr and Graciela Porraz Capetillo

Women’s Health Research Conference: Past, Present, and Future of Women’s Health Research

Using Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) to Understand the Impacts of a Public Health Partnership with Dr. Scott Chazdon, Dr. Rebecca Shlafer, and Ingie Osman

Health Disparities Roundtable: Reinforcing Solidarity in Health Equity–Community-Building in Our Current Climate

Relationships, Transparency, and Trust in Developing a Community Advisory Board/Team: “Let’s Tell Each Other What We Really, Really Want”

Black Maternal Health Week National Call: Rooted in Justice and Joy

2026 Training Course in MCH Epidemiology

National Women’s Health Conference

Facilitation to Build Trust, Share Power, and Share Knowledge

CASCW Spring Conference: Meeting the Moment–Immigration and Child Welfare

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Center Announcements Center Announcements

Monthly Resource: Justice-Involved Women and Children (JIWC) Newsletter

Student Spotlight: How is Meredith Shimek’s Title V Internship Preparing Her to Advance Health Equity, Education, and Leadership in Public Health?

MCH Leads Blog: Learning, Leading, and Listening–My Journey in MCH

Center Events Center Events

Bright Spots Mini-Lab: Using Digital Storytelling for Community Engagement and Health Promotion with Dr. Abby Lohr and Graciela Porraz Capetillo

Women’s Health Research Conference: Past, Present, and Future of Women’s Health Research

Using Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) to Understand the Impacts of a Public Health Partnership with Dr. Scott Chazdon, Dr. Rebecca Shlafer, and Ingie Osman

Health Disparities Roundtable: Reinforcing Solidarity in Health Equity–Community-Building in Our Current Climate

Events Events

Relationships, Transparency, and Trust in Developing a Community Advisory Board/Team: “Let’s Tell Each Other What We Really, Really Want”

Black Maternal Health Week National Call: Rooted in Justice and Joy

2026 Training Course in MCH Epidemiology

National Women’s Health Conference

Facilitation to Build Trust, Share Power, and Share Knowledge

CASCW Spring Conference: Meeting the Moment–Immigration and Child Welfare

Resources Resources

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Looking for technical assistance on your MCH-related work? Email mch@umn.edu. Looking for technical assistance on your MCH-related work? Email mch@umn.edu.

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