On January 25, HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson was joined by Representative Lauren Underwood of Illinois, co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, to launch a year-long Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative at a kick-off event in Washington, DC. The initiative will strengthen, expand, and accelerate HRSA's work to address maternal mortality and maternal health disparities in partnership with mothers, grantees, community organizations, and state and local health officials across the country.

"This initiative will maximize the impact of our investments and build and strengthen partnerships to ensure we are making the greatest impact possible on maternal health in high need communities," said Administrator Johnson.

Joining the event were HRSA maternal health grantees from 11 states and the District of Columbia, as well as key national organizations, maternal health experts, medical providers, and individuals with lived experience. Attendees discussed personal perspectives, grantees’ innovative approaches, and maternal mental health. Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Division Director Dr. Shirley Payne served as emcee throughout the event. She thanked grantees and partners for their commitment to improving maternal health and reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.

From January 29 – 31, HRSA's hosted the annual Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program all-grantee meeting with over 600 attendees in Arlington, Virginia. The event provided grantees an opportunity to share best practices, discuss opportunities for collaboration, and attend interactive learning sessions.

HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson and MCHB Associate Administrator Dr. Michael Warren highlighted HRSA's recent work with Congress to double the funding for the program over five years. They also recognized the commitment of those involved in home visiting services, discussed how MIECHV improves maternal health across the nation, and shared the impact of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline.

Since its launch in May 2022, the 24/7, free, confidential hotline has offered support from professional counselors to more than 27,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggled with mental health concerns, and their loved ones. Support is available by phone or text, and in English and Spanish at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).

HRSA participated in an HHS webinar to mark Maternal Health Awareness Day on January 23. The cross-agency webinar allowed HHS leaders—including those from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and others—to share updates on their efforts to improve maternal health outcomes.

Deputy Administrator Jordan Grossman highlighted several foundational safety-net programs that play a key role in women's health, including:

• Health Center Program
• Healthy Start Program
• Maternity Care Nursing Workforce Expansion (MatCare) Program
• MIECHV Program
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA / 1-833-852-6262)
• Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies Program
• Title V Maternal and Child Health State Block Grants

On January 25, HRSA's Office of Women's Health (OWH) participated in a panel at the White House Cervical Cancer Forum. The forum was hosted by the Biden Cancer Moonshot Initiative in observance of Cervical Health Awareness Month and highlighted advancements in prevention, screening, treatment, and HPV vaccination.

HRSA participants discussed how the Federal Cervical Cancer Collaborative is working to improve equitable cervical cancer prevention in safety-net care settings and better facilitate innovation. HRSA also highlighted the partnership with the National Cancer Institute on Accelerating Cancer Screening program, which ensures patients receive high-quality care across the cancer continuum from screening to treatment.

On January 10, HRSA Region 4 (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee) staff hosted a resource table at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) Economic Summit in Duluth, Georgia. The summit aimed to connect AANHPI community leaders with federal and local resources to advance equity, justice, and opportunity.

HRSA provided information on several initiatives, including the National Health Service Corps, Nurse Corps, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-TLC-MAMA / 1-833-852-6262), and the Find a Health Center and Find a Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Medical Provider tools. Nearly 100 individuals representing community-based organizations and state and local government were present.