CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Health is seeking input from community members and families from across the state to help set priorities for its Maternal and Child Health Unit.
The move comes as MCH Unit staff are preparing an action plan to guide the program’s efforts for the coming years.
“Our work now involves defining priorities and potential strategies to promote health and wellbeing for Wyoming’s mothers, children, adolescents and families,” MCH Unit manager Feliciana Turner said. “We want our priorities in those future years to reflect the voices of our communities and families.
“We are asking people to take a survey or sign up for a focus group about our potential program efforts. We’re especially interested in hearing from parents and caregivers, women who have recently given birth, parents of children who have special healthcare needs and youth with parents who have agreed to their participation.”
Focus groups begin in August and space is limited. People interested in participating can go online to sign up. The survey is also available on the website, and responses will be taken through Sept. 15. Spanish and ASL interpretation are available for focus groups, and the survey is also available in Spanish.
Results will help determine the final priorities included in Wyoming’s MCH State Action Plan, Turner said. She added that several potential priorities have emerged through the initial assessment and planning stages, including:
- Improving systems of care for children and youth with special healthcare needs by improving access to medical homes
- Promoting and improving maternal health by addressing postpartum visits
- Preventing infant deaths by promoting and improving infant safe sleep practices and environments
- Promoting healthy childhood
- Promoting adolescent mental health
“Our mission is to promote, protect and improve health in Wyoming,” said Stephanie Sandoval, senior administrator of the WDH Public Health Division. “Our MCH team is dedicated to developing an action plan that embodies this mission by addressing community needs and priorities. Through robust community engagement and strategic partnerships, we aim to create a plan that ensures the health and well-being of Wyoming families across the lifespan.”
For more information on the overall MCH assessment and planning process, people can go online here.
