Information Resources
Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health
Health Care for Children and Youth with Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Special Journal Supplement
Pediatrics will publish a special supplement on health care and medical treatment of children and adolescents with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This is the second supplement from the MCHB's AIR-P and ATN and includes:
- Practice guidelines addressing the issues of anxiety and irritability for physicians—developed by network clinicians
- Studies on diagnosis of ASD
- Co-occurring symptoms
- Sleep and behavior problems
- Transition services for youth with ASD
Data Resource Center
Title V National Outcome and Performance Measures Data Query
Online Tool
In order to make it easier for states to access and interactively explore and compare NOM and NPM data findings from the NSCH and the NS-CSHCN, the CAHMI has made the data available in a special section. The data are available by state and by numerous subgroups—including those required for the Block Grant—and will be updated as future data becomes available.
Georgetown Health Policy Institute Center for Children and Families
Historic Gains in Health Coverage for Hispanic Children in the ACA’s First Year
Report
The paper discusses the dramatic fall in the uninsurance rate for this population as well as barriers to insurance that persist. Five strategies for Hispanic children’s health coverage and removing barriers for insurance are discussed:
- Fully implement the ACA’s coverage provisions.
- Extend public coverage to lawfully-residing children.
- Remove systemic barriers to enrollment and support the application process.
- Support states and localities that want to expand coverage to children and families regardless of immigration status.
- Encourage states, particularly those with emerging Hispanic populations, to evaluate changing demographics and adopt strategies to maximize enrollment.
Training and Educational Resources
MCHB, CDC & CityMatCH
Training Course in MCH Epidemiology
Applications due: February 19, 2016
San Diego, CA
A June Training Course in MCH Epidemiology, as part of an ongoing effort to enhance the analytic capacity of state and local health agencies, is offered. It is an intensive program, combining lectures, discussion, hands-on exercises, and opportunities for individualized technical assistance. This national program is aimed primarily at professionals in state and local health agencies who have responsibility for handling MCH data, statistical and epidemiologic method skills.
MCHB Research Program
EnRICH Webinar: System Dynamic Methods for Mental Health Research
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
2:00pm to 3:30pm Eastern
Hazhir Rahmandad, PhD, an Assistant Professor of System Dynamics at the MIT Sloan School of Management and Andrea Wittenborn, Ph.D, an Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Michigan State University, will discuss applications of dynamic modeling. During this webinar, attendees will:
- Gain knowledge of distinct features of system dynamics methods including qualitative modeling, simulation modeling, and estimation techniques.
- Discover how system dynamics can benefit the study of depression.
EnRICH Webinar: Introduction to Instrumental Variables-Based Methods for Causal Inference in Health Research
Monday, March 14, 2016
2:00pm to 3:30pm Eastern
Dr. Maria Glymour, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco will give an introduction to using instrumental variables-based methods for causal inference in health research. During this webinar, attendees will:
- Understand the situations in which instrumental variables can be useful in health research
- Describe the assumptions and interpretations for instrumental variables-based effect estimates
- Learn examples of instrumental variables used in health research, including policy differences, genetic variants, and other examples
- Learn basic concepts for implementing instrumental variables analyses and understand whether the methods are feasible in your research setting
Marginal Structural Models & Methodological Clarity
Archived EnRICH Webinar
Speaker Daniel Westreich, PhD, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill, covered several objectives:
- How marginal structural models can be used as a tool for epidemiologic investigation.
- Causal inference concepts, including confounding in longitudinal data.
- How the use of marginal structural models can help us focus our research questions and epidemiologic investigations.
- Estimation of parameters of marginal structural models using inverse probability weights.
Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health
Family Navigators Study Webinar
Monday, February 22, 2016
3:00pm to 4:00pm Eastern
The AIR-P and ATN Family Navigation Study Workgroup—parents, site PIs, and AS staff—has the goal to characterize how family navigation services are being delivered within the AS ATN and to advance the field by defining best practice and evaluating desired outcomes. The project leads will present an update on the study including some results from Phase 1.
Genetics and ASD Webinar
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
3:00pm to 4:00pm Eastern
Abha Gupta, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Study Center at Yale University School of Medicine will discuss genetics and ASD.
Positive Women’s Network USA
Securing the Future of Women-Centered Care Webinar
Thursday, March 10, 2016
1:00pm to 3:30pm Eastern
Fourteen WLHIV from across the United States surveyed other WLHIV in their communities to assess what is and is not working well for women in the context of ACA implementation, changes to Ryan White service delivery, and the updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Findings from the survey will be presented.
Partnership for a Healthier America
Building a Healthier Future 2016
May 18 to 20, 2016
Washington, DC
This must-attend event for anyone focused on creating solutions to ensure every child grows up at a healthy weight provides an opportunity for those in the private sector to sit with their nonprofit, academic, and government counterparts to address an issue critical to the future of this country’s health and well-being. Attendees will take away solutions that will help make healthy choices easy for everyone.
Funding Opportunities
National MCH Workforce Development Center
MCH Paired Practica Program
February 29, 2016
The National MCHWDC, in cooperation with the University of Illinois at Chicago, Howard University, and UCLA, will host a summer program where graduate students from SPH Training Programs will be paired with undergraduate students from Howard University and UCLA to work on health transformation projects identified by state Title V programs.
Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Early Comprehensive Childhood Systems Impact
March 15, 2016
HRSA MCHB is accepting applications for FY 2016 Early Comprehensive Childhood Systems Impact (ECCS Impact) to enhance EC systems-building and demonstrate improved outcomes in population-based children’s developmental health and family well-being indicators using a CoIIN approach. The development of collective impact expertise, implementation and sustainability of efforts at the state, county and community levels is also desired. Recipients will identify communities within their state/territory to participate in the ECCS CoIIN.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Awards for Health Equity
March 30, 2016
RWJF’s vision of working with others to build a Culture of Health by recognizing and celebrating individuals who have successfully implemented systems changes related to the multiple determinants of health is supported by this program. National nonprofits are asked to establish an annual awards program to honor individuals who implement systems changes to solve health disparities. 4 grants up to $52,000 each will be awarded.
Office of Minority Health
Communities Addressing Childhood Trauma
April 18, 2016
Communities ACT seeks to address unhealthy behaviors in minority youth and provide them with opportunities to learn coping skills and gain experiences that contribute to more positive lifestyles and enhance their capacity to make healthier life choices. ACT projects will demonstrate the effectiveness of a highly innovative and multi-partnership collaborative approach, incorporating culturally- and linguistically-appropriate services.
Emory University
Faculty Position: Autism Early Intervention
Open until filled
Applications for a position of Psychologist with a specialization in early intervention of ASD, open academic rank are requested. They will serve as Director of Early Childhood Programs to provide supervision and leadership of programs at the Emory Autism Center. Experience and expertise in the principles of ABA with the use of IT for developing skills among children are expected. Teaching professional trainees, providing family support programs, and contributing to evidence-based research are also expected.