LPHA INFO HUB
The LPHA Hub is not searchable on the web and is only intended for use by staff of DHSS and local public health agencies. However, anyone with a direct link is able to gain access. We encourage you to avoid sharing LPHA Hub links with anyone outside of DHSS or LPHAs. If information is needed for external users, please download and send the file, or copy/paste and provide separately. Thank you.
DHSS Updates
► Incentive Invoices: Due to the Truman Day holiday on May 8, the deadline to submit incentive final invoices will be pushed back to May 11. LPHAs will receive an invoice from Mary Blevins on or before May 5. Those should be reviewed and signed and returned, or revisions requested as soon as possible. Invoices that are received back at CLPHS after May 9 may not be paid.
► Regional LPHA Meetings: Location change for the April 30 meeting in Marshfield. The meeting will move to the Marshfield City Annex Building, 915 S. Marshall Street in Marshfield.
► Immunization Champion Nominations: DHSS’ Bureau of Immunizations is accepting nominations for the 2026 Immunization Champion Award. Nominations should be submitted by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 15, 2026 to Cathy Kennon. The Immunization Champion Award is a national award program hosted by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) that honors individuals going above and beyond to foster and/or promote immunization in their communities. Email Cathy Kennon with any questions.
► Verified Dispensary Initiative: DHSS announces the expansion of the Verified Dispensary: We’re on the List initiative. The expansion provides a new suite of outreach tools designed to help Missourians confidently identify licensed cannabis dispensaries.
► Vaccine Media Campaign, from DHSS, will run April - August 2026 with a focus on the lifesaving abilities of vaccines. Details in the April 2 Communication Bulletin.
Upcoming Due Dates
► Apr 28: Deadline to submit evidence of accreditation and Mental Health First Aid Training for incentive funding
► May 1: Deadline to submit documentation for Incentives program through CLPHS
► May 1: FPHS Gap Analysis, Module 1: Current Financials due
► May 11: Deadline to submit signed invoices for incentive funding Extended!
► May 13: Quarterly CHIP HSI expenditure report due to CLPHSCHIPHSIReports@health.mo.gov
► Oct 1: Deadline to complete PHAB Readiness Assessment (at no cost)
Mandated Reporting of Abuse or Neglect
Weekly Communication Bulletins
ASAP (add users or change access for existing users)
► Alpha-Gal Syndrome, DHSS
► Cannabis: Unregulated psychoactive cannabis product enforcement (FAQ) (Report a Retailer form)
► Chemical Water Testing revised test request forms:
► Hep C Testing: Free Hepatitis C testing through the State Public Health Lab (10/20/2025 letter) (instructions)
► Kratom webpage, DHSS
► Public Health and HIPAA (informational brochure)
► Radon text kits available free to the public and videos on how to use the test kit (also in Spanish). (link)
► Sexual Assault Response: SAFEvT, Sexual Assault Forensic Exams via Telehealth Network (sites map)
► Sexual Violence Prevention and Response: Missouri Resource Map. Submit resources in your area to be added to the map.
► Smoke-free Housing: Missouri Smoke-free Housing Directory
► Wastewater Surveillance: Program Update
► Wastewater: Find a Professional Tool
Vaccines
► Vaccine Guidance from DHSS and the State Board of Nursing regarding the updated vaccination schedule. (link)
► COVID-19 vaccine available for VFC providers to order via ShowMeVax. (details)
► Docket® vaccination portal (smartphone app and web platform)
► Shared Clinical Decision-Making Guidance (link)
► Show Me Vax, Missouri Immunization Registry (link)
► CDC Revised Immunization Recommendations
► 2026 Childhood Immunization Schedule, American Academy of Pediatrics (link)
National News
► 4/20/2026: Tiktok influencer Katie Jennings changes her mind about the value of vaccinations, gets all her kids vaccinated with MMWR, and posts a video to the anti-vax crowd she used to be part of. (link)
► 4/20/2026: A highly mutated COVID-19 strain named Cicada is circulating in California — raising concerns that disease activity could rise heading into the summer. (link)
► 4/20/2026: A landmark study led by researchers at UNMC and published in Molecular Psychiatry identifies a significant association between prenatal prescription of commonly utilized medications and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. (link)
Missouri in the News
► 4/20/2026: The Missouri House passed a bill on Monday that would punish cities, public schools and other government entities that fail to prevent transgender people from using restrooms and other sex-specific spaces that don’t align with their sex assigned at birth.. (link)
► 4/20/2026: The St. Louis County health director says the county council is slow-rolling a measure to allow its government-run health clinics to hire physicians.. (link)
This program aims to strengthen the public health workforce by creating a pipeline program that supports students’ interest in public health and provides a pathway to permanent positions. DHSS has partnered with Missouri State University's MPH program to match interested students from across Missouri with DHSS and LPHA internships.
Students receive a stipend of $20 per hour up to $6,400 for completing an internship of up to 320 hours depending on academic program requirements and agency projects. Students and recent graduates in nursing, environmental health, undergraduate or graduate public health programs, and other disciplines interested in pursuing a public health career are encouraged to apply by the following deadlines:
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Fall 2026 Semester: May 16, 2026
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Spring 2027 Semester: October 17, 2026
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Summer 2027 Semester: March 14, 2027
Agencies interested in hosting a student should also apply.
Interns are randomly selected and matched to DHSS or LPHA hosts. Hybrid models are acceptable, but fully remote internships are not supported. Selection announcements will be made on the following schedule:
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Summer 2026 Semester: March 17, 2026
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Fall 2026 Semester: May 19, 2026
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Spring 2027 Semester: October 20, 2026
Direct questions to Rebecca Damron at MSU.
Learning Management System, Missouri Rural Health Association
Ongoing or Archived Training
► Subrecipient Training (slide deck), M Mahaney, DHSS OA, 5/14/2023
► FDA Training and Continuing Education
► CIFOR (foodborne disease investigation and control), APHL
*Note: Requires an APHL account.
► (HIPAA) Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act, DHSS (link)
► Intro to MO HNS, DHSS
► Learning Connection, CDC
► Roots of Health Inequity, NACCHO
► Public Health Communications Collaborative Academy
► Community Water Fluoridation video training series
► Grants Management and Compliance Training (eligible for incentive funds)
► Sexual Assault Forensic Exams, training courses
► Sexual Harassment Annual Training, DHSS (link)
► VFC 411 training sessions in 2026
► Online Portal, DHSS (Do not share this link extermally)
► Email Holly Withrow for access to the situation board
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.