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Table of Contents
Message from the President
Coming soon: CNMA Election!
Our CNMA Election is happening NEXT MONTH! That’s right, in just a few short weeks, our ballot will go out to all CNMA members and you’ll have the opportunity to vote for your next CNMA President. But first, we need some candidates! I’ve said this before, but I’m not afraid of saying it again. WE NEED YOU!
If you’ve ever thought about serving on the CNMA Board of Directors but were worried you might not have what it takes, believe me when I say you are good enough! Don’t believe me? When I was nominated to serve as President, I was a new graduate nurse-midwife, less than a year out of school. If I can do this, so can you. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be willing! We’re building mentorship into our leadership structure, and I promise we won’t let you fail. If you’re interested in serving as President-Elect, Secretary, Northern California Representative, or Central California Representative, email me at parisbury@gmail.com or text me at (805)415-2553.
Want to serve, but not yet ready for the Board of Directors? Join one of our committees! Put your tech skills to use as our Communications Committee Chair, help develop and rediversify the midwifery workforce by joining the Midwifery Workforce Development and Education Support Committee, grow our membership by joining the Membership Committee, or help plan the upcoming Annual Meeting by joining our Continuing Education Committee! There is so much work to do, and we make it fun (I promise).
Now’s your chance to pad your CV and make new friends. Join us! Read on for more details and don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m super friendly and almost always caffeinated!
With seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm,
Paris Maloof-Bury, CNM, IBCLC
President, California Nurse-Midwives Association
California Prenatal Screening Portal
You may have recently received a letter from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regarding the July 7th launch of the Prenatal Screening Results Portal. This communication explains that physicians (MDs and DOs) and midwives (LMs) licensed through the California Medical Board will have access to the new Portal, but CNMs, NPs, and other RNs can only access the portal if they have been made a delegate by an MD or DO with delegating authority.
Upon inquiry, we at CNMA have learned that the reason for this is that the BRN does not yet have the technology to interface with CDPH for RN license validation. We have been informed that the BRN is seeking to remedy this, and we anticipate that CNMs will have direct access to the portal at some point in the future. We will continue to follow up with the BRN about this issue, and in the meantime results mailers will continue to be sent to the ordering provider of each prenatal screening test. Stay tuned!
Support for Student and Aspiring Midwives
Join your fellow student- and aspiring-midwives on Facebook at CNMA’s NEW California Nurse-Midwifery Students Group! This group is meant to be a safe space for students in California to support each other, network, ask questions, and build community. In addition, we hope this group will help us learn more about the challenges students face in their search for preceptors in California. CNMA is dedicated to ramping up our support of our aspiring workforce and re-diversifying midwifery in California.
California Health Policy
SB 65 Momnibus (Skinner)
SB 65 passed the Assembly Health Committee and Assembly Human Services Committee! The final committee is Assembly Appropriations at the end of August. In addition to other perinatal policy changes, SB 65 creates the Midwifery Workforce Training Act to support midwifery programs that have a component of training designed for medically underserved multicultural communities, lower socioeconomic neighborhoods, or rural communities, and that are organized to prepare program graduates for service in those neighborhoods and communities, or that seek to recruit and retain racially and ethnically diverse students, underrepresented groups, or people from underserved or historically marginalized communities. For more on what you can do to support SB 65, please go to cnma.org/advocacy
2021-2022 State Budget
CNMA is pleased to report that many parts of SB 65 were included in the State Budget, including Doula coverage by Medi-Cal, extending Medi-Cal for 12 months postpartum, and a guaranteed income for low-income pregnant people. SB 65 will be amended to remove these sections when the Budget is signed by the Governor. An overview of the Budget Highlights can be found here. For more on the nation's first state-funded guaranteed income plan that commits $35 million for monthly unrestricted cash payments to qualifying expectant mothers and young adults who recently left foster care, see the LA Times article here.
For Immediate Release: Joint Statement on California State Budget and Momnibus Bill
California budget invests in pregnancy and birthing health; Momnibus bill can go further to address adverse birth outcomes in California
The final 2021-22 California budget includes significant investments in new parent and infant health, many of which were part of SB 65 (Skinner), California’s Momnibus bill. While the progress made in the budget is substantial, SB 65 is still needed, as it contains additional provisions to reduce negative birth outcomes in our state. All of these comprehensive services, in the budget and in SB 65, are needed to address the disproportionate health disparities facing Black and Indigenous new parents and babies in California.
We are excited that significant pieces of SB 65 are in the final budget. The following changes will be ground breaking for many families in California:
A guaranteed income pilot program that prioritizes pregnant Californians
Medi-Cal coverage for doula services, regardless of immigration status
Earlier access to CalWORKs for pregnant people
An increase in the CalWORKs pregnancy supplement
Extended Medi-Cal eligibility for postpartum people
“I’m very proud this year’s state budget includes funding to expand CalWORKs and Medi-Cal pre and postpartum services, key components of SB 65, the California Momnibus Act,” said Sen. Skinner, chair of California’s Senate Budget Committee. “These essential investments will help reduce the unacceptably high rates of maternal and infant mortality among Black and Indigenous pregnant people and their babies. I’m also pleased California is launching the first-of-its-kind guaranteed basic income pilot program prioritizing support to pregnant people. While there’s more to do, passing the remaining parts of SB 65 will help with additional measures to reduce birthing disparities.”
The budget investments mark significant progress, but California must go further to address its disparate birthing outcomes.
As the bill moves forward in the legislative process, we continue to push for:
Freedom from Welfare to Work restrictions for pregnant people on CalWORKs
Birth data on lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and gender-nonconforming pregnant people in California
Additional housing assistance for pregnant households
State oversight of the Pregnancy Associated Review Committee investigating maternal death
Updates the Fetal Infant Mortality Review process to better collect information and prevent future infant deaths
A midwifery training fund
We appreciate our coalition’s continued support and Senator Skinner’s steadfast leadership as the bill heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August, then on to the Assembly floor.
National Policy
ACNM Revised Position Statement: Healthcare for Transgender and Gender Non-Binary People
Thank you to the Gender Equity Task Force (GETF) for their work on revision the position statement, Health Care for Transgender and Gender Non-Binary People. ACNM supports efforts to provide transgender and gender non-binary people with access to safe, comprehensive, culturally responsive, and respectful healthcare. The term transgender is used to describe a pershon whose gender identify differs from their sex assigned at their birth. Not all transgender individuals have binary gender identities (male of female). Terms such as gender non-binary, non-conforming, and gender expansive extend beyond traditional definitions of gender to include a spectrum of gender identities. ACNM affirms that care for transgender and gender non-binary people falls within the midwifery scope of practice. Read the full Position Statement.
Midwives for MOMS Act
ACNM encourages midwives and midwifery supporters to reach out to their House Representative and Senate members and urge support for the Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act. This bipartisan/bicameral legislation seeks to increase access to high quality, evidence-based midwifery providers by creating federal grant funding opportunities for accredited midwifery education programs with the goal of diversifying our nation's midwifery workforce. Ask your legislators to co-sponsor the Midwives for MOMS Act TODAY!
TRIUMPH for New Moms Act
The Taskforce Recommending Improvements for Unaddressed Mental Perinatal and Postpartum Health (TRIUMPH) for New Mothers Act was recently introduced in the House. The TRIUMPH Act calls for the formation of a federal interdepartmental maternal mental health taskforce and strategic plan to identify opportunities, coordinate resources, and build upon programs to improve the wellbeing of mothers.
Ask Your Legislators to Co-Sponsor the BABIES Act
The BABIES Act (H.R.337 / S.1716) was recently introduced in the 117th Congress. This bipartisan and bicameral bill seeks to promote accessible and affordable use of freestanding birth centers by Medicaid Beneficiaries. It would build off the Strong Start Initiative by creating a demonstration payment program under Medicaid. The legislation provides guidance to develop a prospective payment system (PPS) that would reimburse birth centers for prenatal care, perinatal, and postpartum mother and infant care. Now, we need your help to build momentum to advance this legislation. It's very important that your legislators hear from you. Ask your legislators to co-sponsor the BABIES Act today
Save the Date for the CNMA Annual Meeting!
The CNMA Annual Meeting will take place on November 6-7, 2021 in San Francisco. We will be offering a hybrid conference, with options for both in-person and virtual attendance. Day 1 will be full of opportunities for CEUs as well as an after hours dance party. Day 2 will offer a preceptor workshop through a lens of antiracism. Stay tuned for more information, and be sure to save the date!
Join the CNMA Board of Directors!
The CNMA annual election is coming soon, but first we need some candidates! If you’re interested in joining our highly productive team (and bulking up your CV in the process), now’s the time to jump in! Thinking about running, but not sure you’ve got what it takes? We’re committed to mentoring new board members in their role and setting you up for success. The following offices are up for election this Summer: President-Elect, Secretary, Central California Representative, and Northern California Representative.
President-Elect (10/2021-10/2025)
During the first year (10/2021-10/2022), the President-Elect is mentored and supported by the current President as they learn the role and prepare to take on leadership of the board of directors (BOD) and the affiliate. Duties include:
Non-voting member of the BOD.
Attend virtual BOD meetings and other committee meetings throughout the month to learn about the structure and inside operations within the association.
Attend 2 in-person meetings annually that alternate between Northern and Southern California.
During the second and third years (10/2022-10/2024) the President’s duties include the following:
Be the face of CNMA. Be prepared to give interviews, help draft legislation and correspondence when needed, advocate for midwifery and birthing people, stay up to date on health policy issues within the association and the state.
Lead all BOD meetings (prepare the agenda, establish a quorum, get approval for the agenda, approve the minutes along with the secretary, make corrections, sign the minutes).
Voting member of the BOD.
Lead the CNMA Annual Meeting (present the awards, introduce speakers, recognize off going BOD members, and welcome incoming BOD members).
Write the CNMA newsletter.
Attend the ACNM Annual Meeting and represent CNMA during the California Affiliate Meeting and Regional Meeting.
Communicate with the ACNM National Office when necessary.
During the fourth year (10/2024-10/2025), the Past President's duties include the following:
Non-voting member of the BOD.
Offer support and guidance to the sitting President.
Serve as a source of continuity with other groups and organizations in California who have associations with ACNM and CNMA.
Ensure historical context for important issues impacting CNMA and the BOD.
Secretary (10/2021-10/2023)
Voting member of the BOD.
Send out the agenda to all the BOD members 10 days before the BOD Meeting.
Attend and take minutes during the BOD meeting.
Send minutes to the President and other BOD members for corrections.
Get signatures on minutes once the corrections have been made.
Send out final minutes to BOD members.
Store minutes on Dropbox and keep Dropbox files organized.
Two year term, may serve up to two consecutive terms
Northern California Representative (10/2021-10/2023)
Voting member of the BOD.
Attend monthly virtual BOD meetings.
Develop relationships with the members of the region.
Establish two-way communication with regional chapter chairs and members to update them on affiliate issues; and bring chapters’ and members’ issues, comments, needs, and requests from regional members to the BOD.
Should attend their own chapter meetings.
Help lead and organize in-district visits and advocacy efforts.
Stay involved and participate in events in their region as a representative of CNMA.
Two year term, may serve up to two consecutive terms.
Central California Representative (10/2021-10/2023)
Voting member of the BOD.
Attend monthly virtual BOD meetings.
Develop relationships with the members of the region.
Establish two-way communication with regional chapter chairs and members to update them on affiliate issues; and bring chapters’ and members’ issues, comments, needs, and requests from regional members to the BOD.
Should attend their own chapter meetings.
Help lead and organize in-district visits and advocacy efforts.
Stay involved and participate in events in their region as a representative of CNMA.
Two year term, may serve up to two consecutive terms.
Nominating Committee Members (10/2021-10/2024)
Join a CNMA Committee!
Communications Committee Chair
Our Communications Committee is seeking a new chair. The communications chair works very closely with the Social Media and Communications Consultant, supporting and directing them in their paid role to grow the social media platforms for both CNMA and CNMF (content development, interactions with followers, moderating comments) and update the CNMA website. The communications chair also works with the CNMA President to publish CNMA’s bi-monthly newsletter and curate and distribute emails to CNMA membership, and collaborates with other CNMA committees to promote events and share information. If you’re a tech savvy midwife who enjoys social media and would like more information on this role, please contact sm@CNMA.org.
Seeking Assistant Membership Chair!
The CNMA Membership Chair is seeking someone to fill an assistant membership chair role. The membership chair is responsible for communications with new and existing members as well as developing new and creative ways to increase membership and improve engagement. I am looking for someone to take part in brainstorming and carrying out ideas, as well as assisting with tasks such as emailing and updating membership records. This role can be tailored to fit your interests and skills. If you have a desire to help shape the future of our organization please contact Emily Carter at ercarterRN@gmail.com.
Continuing Education Committee
The CNMA Continuing Education Committee is responsible for planning and hosting the CNMA Annual Meeting each year, and is now taking on the added responsibility of creating continuing education content that will be available through www.CNMA.org (coming soon!). Please consider joining this small and focused team. The work is targeted and specific, but there’s still plenty of room for creativity. Interested members, please contact jillcauley4@gmail.com.
Midwifery Workforce Development and Education Support Committee
This new committee will focus on building and diversifying the CNM workforce in California, including strategizing to increase the number of clinical placement sites and preceptors in California, establishing and maintaining two-way communication between midwifery programs that have student nurse-midwives in California and the CNMA Board of Directors, and fostering and supporting student mentoring programs. They will work alongside the Student Representatives to the CNMA Board of Directors. Ideal candidates include any of the following:
Lead and Chief Midwives from practices throughout the state
At least one representative from each midwifery program that has student midwives in California
Midwives who are passionate about supporting students and educators
Midwives who are passionate about mentoring
Midwives who are passionate about scaling up midwifery in California
Please contact dmvandewiele@gmail.com for more information.
Education, Trainings, and Webinars
Saving the Lives of Moms and Babies
The National Partnership for Women & Families has joined the National Birth Equity Collaborative to produce the Saving the Lives of Moms & Babies series. The 10-part series connects the dots between how different socioeconomic factors affect maternal and infant health, the outsize impact these factors have on Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities, and recommendations to effect the change we need to ensure all moms and babies thrive. Saving the Lives of Moms & Babies: Addressing Racism and Socioeconomic Influencers of Health presents a ground-breaking summary of how racism directly affects the bodies of moms and babies.
Reducing Risk in Twin Pregnancies
This FREE webinar will cover twin pregnancies and potential ways to reduce risk of adverse outcomes in women pregnant with twins, such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and cesarean delivery. The webinar will also cover some unique aspects in the management and treatment of monochorionic twin gestations, as well as the current literature on fetal pregnancy reduction (elective and selective approaches) in dichorionic twin gestations and its impact on birth outcomes for the pregnancy. Register now and attend on August 4 at 10:00 AM PST.
Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Webinar Series
The NAM presents a 4-part webinar series that will explore the blueprint for the next decade of nursing as outlined in the consensus report titled Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity, released in May 2021. The series will expand on addressing the roots of racial inequity and strategies nurses can employ to improve health outcomes, lifting barriers to expand nurses’ scope of practice, addressing nurses’ well-being, and diversifying the nursing workforces to address health equity. Register for each webinar discussion below:
AWHONN Education Town Hall: Public Policy Town Hall
Register for this town hall to learn about AWHONN’s government relations and advocacy for public policies to improve the health of women and their families. Government Affairs Director Seth Chase will explain AWHONN’s process for determining what policies and legislation AWHONN supports and will provide an update on legislation this year in Congress. This FREE program will include time for questions and answers. August 5, 2021, 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM.
Organizations React to Medi-Cal Managed Care Procurement Draft RFP
On July 1, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released a draft RFP for the upcoming reprocurement of commercial Medi-Cal managed care plans. CHCF invited organizations to share the comments they submitted to DHCS during the 30-day public comment period. This was an important opportunity to provide DHCS with recommendations to help ensure that the procurement process leads to better access, equity, and quality of care for the millions of Californians who rely on Medi-Cal. CHCF’s FREE webinar on August 5 from noon–1:15 PM will present findings from an analysis of the comments shared with CHCF, identifying key themes that emerged across the various recommendations to DHCS. In addition, panelists will share their perspectives on the draft RFP and visions for how the procurement should be harnessed to improve quality, advance health equity, and achieve other Medi-Cal program goals. Register here.
Nursing Burnout Crisis: It’s the Real Deal!
Join the AWHONN San Joaquin Valley Chapter on August 10, 2021 from 7-8 PM for 1 CEU during this virtual event. Kandice Duns has personal experience with Nursing Burnout and is passionate about looking for systemic changes for the nursing profession. As nurses, we learn how to provide our patients with exceptional care, which is important; but there really isn’t a focus on keeping nurses well. With the anticipated mass exodus and the increase in mental health issues, Kandice will address how we can address these issues. $10 Register here.
The Midwife as Surgical First Assistant
Midwives are encouraged to consider training to become a surgical first assistant as an expansion to their clinical practice. The Midwife Surgical First Assistant book is the initial step to gaining a foundation in assisting. The subsequent optional examination assesses the knowledge you have gained from studying the book and provides you with a certificate of completion. Earning the First Assistant Certificate of Completion is the next step to applying this new expanded skill to your midwifery practice.
August 13, 2021 | 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST | Register Here
September 23, 2021 | 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST | Register Here
November 3, 2021 | 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST | Register Here
December 6, 2021 | 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM PST | Register Here
Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training
PSI and 2020 Mom present a Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training for Mental Health and Clinical Professionals. This online webinar series includes eight live sessions, small group discussions, supplemental reading materials, 16 continuing education credits (where applicable), and a certificate of completion. Credits count towards PMH-C certification. Classes are on Mondays, according to the schedule, from 10 AM -12 PM PST; However, classes are recorded and can be watched at any time. Next class begins September 13, 2021. Register by September 8, 2021 PST.
PSI 2-Day Components of Care and Advanced Training
Postpartum support international is offering the 2-Day Components of Care and Advanced Trainings VIRTUALLY! All training dates offer the 2-day Components of Care, Advanced Psychotherapy, and Advanced Psychopharmacology (unless marked otherwise).
September 18 - Advanced Psychotherapy or Advanced Pharmacology
25th Anniversary Nurse Leadership Forum
Synova welcomes all perinatal and neonatal nurse leaders in person to the 25th Anniversary Nurse Leadership Forum November 14-18, 2021 in Tucson, Arizona. Join us as we gain the confidence to step up to new opportunities, develop skill in navigating uncomfortable yet important conversations, deconstruct our understanding of other cultures and demographics and how they impact our work, and advance our emotional intelligence to foster the development of our teams. Learn more and register here. Submit an abstract for a poster presentation or for a 20 or 60 minute speaking spot by September 1, 2021.
Scholarships and Grants
Birth Institute Work-Study Program
The American Academy of Birth Centers offers a work-study program to a select few who want to attend the AABC Birth Institute as a conference volunteer. This opportunity will get you behind the scenes of the conference, as well as allow you to partake in the convention sessions, celebrations and events, and earn continuing education credits. Apply by August 15, 2021.
FDA Focus Group
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is interested in learning about your experiences with prescription product labeling for pregnant and lactating women. Members of ACNM are invited to participate in a 90-minute online focus group. Your input will be used to make recommendations and inform changes to prescription product labeling. Participants in these focus groups will receive a $225 token of appreciation for taking part in this project. If you are interested, please complete a brief survey to determine if you are a good fit for the focus group. These questions will take no more than 5 minutes to answer.
Job Opportunities
CommuniCare Health Centers
We are recruiting a full-time, full scope CNM to join us at Communicare Health Center. We have several clinics throughout Yolo County and attend births at Sutter Davis Hospital. We have a wonderful team of supportive midwives and interdisciplinary staff serving a multicultural population. Spanish speaking ability and 2 years of clinical experience is a plus. We’re a longstanding midwifery group in Yolo County and are part of a nationally recognized, award winning CNM/OB collaborative practice model. Learn more and apply here.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is currently hiring six (6) certified nurse-midwives in the Sacramento area. For more information, please click here.
Sutter Davis Women’s Health/Sutter Davis Hospital
Seeking a full time OB/GYN BC/BE to join a highly successful collaborative practice working closely with certified nurse-midwives in Davis, California, as part of a large, multidisciplinary group. Sutter Medical Group is recognized as a Top Performing Physician Group by the Integrated Healthcare Association, and Sutter Davis Hospital consistently ranks among the best places for families to give birth in California. Join us and enjoy an income guarantee with shareholder track, generous compensation and benefits including 401(k), advanced practice technology, and a positive work-life balance and Northern California’s natural beauty and lifestyle. For more information, please contact Krysta Burris, Physician Recruiter, at Develops@sutterhealth.org.
Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health
The editors of the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health (JMWH) are seeking candidates for a Deputy Editor. The JMWH Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Editors comprise the Journal’s senior editors who direct the content, focus, and strategic development of the Journal. To apply, please email a curriculum vitae and letter of interest to Melissa Avery, JMWH Editor-in-Chief Elect at jmwh@acnm.org with questions. For more information, click here.
Medi-Cal Rx Updates
Effective June 1, 2021, the Provider Enrollment Division (PED) is no longer receiving emails via their mailbox, and instead all PED inquiries will go through the Online Inquiry Form at the website. For more information, click here.
Midwife Crush Mondays!
Do you know an amazing Midwife who is doing revolutionary work? We want to feature them on our social media platforms!
CNMA is looking for submissions for our new social media series “Midwife Crush Monday” where we highlight the stories of trailblazing midwives across the industry who are making a difference in the midwifery profession. You can even submit yourself!
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Midwife’s name (include pronouns)
Affiliated organization(s)
Why you became a midwife (and anything awesome you’d like to brag about)
Headshot/Photo if available
Bonus: Please include social media handles for tagging!
Please send submissions to sm@cnma.org for consideration!
Questions? News? Want to get involved?
Email us at info@cnma.org
That's all for this month's issue. Catch you next time!
-CNMA MEDIA TEAM
Visit us at cnma.org