Welcome to our digital newsletter! Your source for updates on health equity initiatives, community partnerships, and IHN programs, it’s your go-to source for collaboration, innovation, and impact in the St. Louis region & beyond. Let’s build healthier communities together.
IHN PRESIDENT & CEO ANDWELE JOLLY ADDRESSES IMMIGRANT HEALTH COVERAGE LOSSES IN ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH OP-ED
Approximately 4,000 lawfully present immigrants in the St. Louis region are expected to lose health coverage following changes to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) under H.R. 1.
The changes affect certain lawfully present immigrants, including refugees, asylum recipients, and others who came to the United States through humanitarian programs. For many families, losing coverage could mean putting off medical treatment, struggling to afford medications, or going without care altogether.
In a recent op-ed published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, IHN President & CEO Andwele Jolly discusses the impact these changes will have on local families, including individuals managing serious health conditions such as cancer, traumatic brain injuries, and disabilities that require ongoing care.
Jolly also speaks to the contributions immigrants make to our region and shares how IHN is working with partners, including the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Missouri and Casa de Salud, to help affected individuals navigate their healthcare options and stay connected to care.
Read more:
Full, unabridged message on the IHN website: https://stlouisihn.org/blog/our-neighbors-are-losing-health-coverage/
Op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: https://bit.ly/4duDafx
MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH ACCELERATOR LAUNCHES
The Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health has announced the launch of the National Maternal Mental Health Accelerator, a powerful national effort bringing together more than 100 organizations across the maternal health, mental health, policy, advocacy, philanthropy, and community sectors to drive meaningful systems change in maternal mental health care by 2030.
IHN is proud to be among the organizations joining this effort through our EleVATE Collaborative, standing alongside national and local partners committed to ensuring that every mother has access to the mental health care she deserves.
The Accelerator will focus its collective action on four key priorities: training providers and eliminating care deserts to improve early identification and treatment; expanding postpartum care through 12 months, ending the all-too-common six-week “care cliff” that leaves women without support; advancing paid leave for all so mothers can heal and care for their babies; and increasing access to low- and no-cost care so that affordability is never a barrier to appropriate treatment.
As Joy Burkhard, CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, noted at the launch: “while awareness of maternal mental health has grown significantly, the care system remains fundamentally broken and mothers continue to fall through structural gaps. The Accelerator is designed to change that, methodically and collectively.”
We are honored to be part of this movement and look forward to the impact this coalition will make for mothers and families across the country.
To learn more, visit www.MMHaccelerator.org
IHN SENIOR CHW STRATEGIST ACCEPTED INTO UCLA/JOHNSON & JOHNSON CHAMP 2026 COHORT
Atara Estes, Senior Community Health Worker Strategist at the St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN), has been accepted into the 2026 cohort of the UCLA/Johnson & Johnson Community Health Advocate Management Program (CHAMP) through the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
CHAMP is a leadership and management development program designed to strengthen the capacity of professionals who manage, supervise, and support Community Health Workers.
In her role at IHN, Atara contributes to strengthening the CHW workforce through professional development, mentorship, supervisor support, workforce training, leadership development, and strategies that promote effective CHW role integration and long-term workforce sustainability.
Her work focuses on an important question: What organizational conditions help CHWs thrive, and what barriers must be addressed to support their professional growth and retention?
Through CHAMP, Atara looks forward to expanding her leadership and management knowledge, learning alongside CHW leaders from across the country, and applying new strategies to strengthen workforce development and support systems at IHN.
“My growth as a leader is not just about how far I can go, but how many others I can help grow, lead, and thrive along the way. Strengthening the CHW workforce means investing not only in training, but also in the leadership, professional development, and organizational support that allow CHWs to build sustainable careers and continue making a meaningful impact in our communities.” — Atara Estes
HRN: RECOGNITION, COLLABORATION & COMMUNITY IMPACT
By Kevin Poe, Executive Director of the Home Repair Network
The St. Louis Home Repair Network (HRN) is immensely proud to announce that Jessica Gaines, Outreach Coordinator for the St. Louis Home Repair Network, was an MFH Spark Prize recipient for 2026.
“The Spark Prize is a $200,000 award for individuals with outstanding vision, commitment, and promise to improve health and well-being in Missouri. The prize was created in 2025 by Missouri Foundation for Health to foster and amplify exceptional people throughout the state who are tackling social challenges that impact health and developing innovative solutions to help communities thrive. The award is an investment in future impact, giving recipients the freedom to use the funding in whatever ways best support them. In the inaugural year, five awardees were selected. This year, six individuals received The Spark Prize award.”
“Following the May 2025 tornado, Jessica helped mobilize contractors and partners to stabilize hundreds of damaged homes. Her larger vision is to break down silos across sectors and demonstrate what becomes possible when communities invest in the people already living there.”
As Outreach Coordinator for the St. Louis Home Repair Network (HRN), Jessica has built out our pilot Contractor Capacity Building program, which is now over six months into a one-year curriculum. The pilot cohort consists of eight Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), and was intentionally composed of contractors with varying specialties in the hopes of also promoting referrals and project partnership/coordination beyond the program.
The participating contractors were already in business for a minimum of three years, with less than five employees, including the owner. While having the skill to perform the actual work, they lacked the “qualifications” necessary to perform grant-funded home repair work.
These qualifications at a minimum are the required general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, as well as business registration and in some cases, licensing and/or other certifications.
Through a generous grant from the James S. McDonnell Foundation (JSMF), the HRN acquired the first year of these qualifications for each contractor – paid quarterly to ensure continued participation.
Additionally, both the JSMF and the HRN looked to better situate our cohort for success beyond the program. Through dedicated funding, weekly evening classes, and incredible local partnerships, contractors are also being “upskilled” in back-office process and “best practice,” as well as tool and equipment repairs and upgrades.
Training included accounting, estimating, business planning and banking, building access to capital, MBE certification, and even AI as it pertains to virtual assistants. Associated Bank generously donated refurbished laptops for each participant, preloaded with the accounting software used in their training.
The HRN understood that the partnerships necessary to achieve a successful pilot already existed in our region, and Jessica quickly pulled these together to build an incredible program. Partners beyond the aforementioned Associated Bank include Midwest BankCentre’s Rising Together Foundation, Rise Community Development, St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), the Small Business Empowerment Center, JM Contract Solutions, GO ELEV8 .AI, and LIV Group Business Coaching.
Noting that it was one of only a few in the country, Jessica, Kayla, and Kevin were invited to present a breakout session on our program in the first week of October at the national ReFrame Conference on home repair in Atlanta.
In additional HRN news, Executive Director Kevin Poe sat on a panel presented by the St. Louis REALTORS at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center at the end of September. The purpose was to present and discuss the UMSL home repair study recently completed in St. Louis County in partnership with the REALTORS.
The 2023 study in St. Louis City found that it would take ~$302 million to fix city homes in disrepair, and this was based only on elderly homeowners – and PRE tornado. The St. Louis County results, as expected, were even more dire, with the price tag coming in at a staggering estimate of ~$2.9 BILLION, and based on all homeowners.
Additionally, when diving into national construction cost calculation models, it is evident that even that number is very likely low. The HRN remains dedicated to doing its part to help address these overwhelming needs, through continued partnerships and programs, as well as the immensely important funding and policy advocacy needed to move the proverbial needle.
IHN REFLECTS ON THE 2026 NAHSE ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
By Brittany Jones, Director of Community Driven Innovation, & Saffiyah Poole, Assistant Vice President of Planning & Operations
Founded in 1968, the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) has spent more than five decades advancing Black leadership in healthcare and strengthening the quality of care delivered to historically underserved communities. Through professional development, mentorship, advocacy, and networking, NAHSE continues to play an important role in cultivating diverse healthcare leaders and influencing the future of healthcare delivery.
From October 7–9, healthcare professionals and leaders from across the country gathered in Los Angeles, California, for NAHSE’s 41st Annual Educational Conference, themed “Lights, Camera, Action! The Time Is Now: Transformation, Innovation, and Policy Change.” The conference provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, explore innovative approaches to healthcare’s most pressing challenges, and strengthen connections among professionals committed to advancing health equity.
Brittany Jones, Director of Community Driven Innovation at the St. Louis Integrated Health Network (IHN), attended the conference and reflected on the importance of creating spaces that affirm the experiences and expertise of healthcare professionals while encouraging innovative approaches to advancing health equity.
This year, attending the N.A.H.S.E. conference was confirmation of my purpose and honor of being a public health social worker. As a member, it was encouraging to share space that was intentionally curated for healthcare leaders and advocates across the country to boldly brainstorm solutions to society’s “wicked” challenges while being embraced for your presence, expertise, and lived experience.
My key takeaway from the conference is to give yourself permission to build creatively and holistically that creates a healthcare ecosystem that is informed, nimble, and dignified. Additionally, it is imperative to center the things that ground us to ourselves and our communities and leaning on our village for strength and restoration as we navigate the ebbs and flows of advancing health equity.
I look forward to integrating these key takeaways within my approach, program implementation, and relationships.
NAHSE’s impact extends beyond its national conference through local chapters, including the St. Louis Chapter, which supports healthcare professionals throughout the region by fostering leadership development, professional connections, and conversations around health disparities and equitable healthcare delivery.
Brittany’s reflections reinforce the importance of creating spaces where healthcare professionals can learn from one another, challenge conventional thinking, and return to their communities with renewed purpose. At IHN, these opportunities for connection and professional growth complement our ongoing commitment to strengthening the region’s safety net and advancing health equity.
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THROUGH OUTREACH AND COLLABORATION
IHN’s Community Outreach team builds on its ongoing work through collaborations with Trinity Food Ministry and Saint Louis University.
Connecting people to healthcare and essential resources is an important part of the St. Louis Integrated Health Network’s (IHN) ongoing community outreach efforts. Through a new partnership with Trinity Food Ministry and a new initiative with longtime network partner Saint Louis University (SLU), IHN is creating additional opportunities to reach individuals and families throughout the St. Louis region.
Helping lead this work is Ms. Joyce Driver, CHW-C, IHN’s Community Based Community Referral Coordinator (CB-CRC), who works directly with community organizations to connect individuals with healthcare and other supportive services.
Bringing Resources to Trinity Food Ministry
Through a new partnership with Trinity Food Ministry, Ms. Driver is now available at the organization’s food pantry every other Tuesday, helping visitors connect with primary care and navigate programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and other assistance services.
She also answers questions about available resources and helps individuals enroll or re-enroll in programs as needed. Having these services available at the food pantry gives visitors an opportunity to address healthcare and other needs while accessing food assistance.
Learn more about Trinity Food Ministry.
Connecting Justice-Involved Individuals to Care Through SLU
IHN is also working with longtime network partner Saint Louis University School of Medicine on its new Mobile Medical Clinic, which focuses on improving healthcare access for individuals who are currently or have previously been involved with the criminal legal system.
The clinic offers primary care, health screenings, chronic condition management, prescription assistance, behavioral health support, and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
Ms. Driver supports the project by helping connect individuals to the clinic through referrals and assisting with access to ongoing primary care, health insurance, and other community resources.
The project also involves the City of St. Louis Office of Violence Prevention and GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness.
Learn more about SLU’s Mobile Health Clinic.
Continuing IHN’s Community Outreach Efforts
These collaborations are two examples of how IHN’s Community Outreach team works alongside local organizations to reach people who may face barriers to healthcare and other essential services. By working directly in community settings and connecting individuals with existing resources, the team continues to support IHN’s mission of improving access to care throughout the region.
Interested in partnering with IHN’s Community Outreach team? Community organizations interested in connecting the people they serve with healthcare and supportive resources can contact Ms. Joyce Driver at jdriver@stlouisihn.org to discuss opportunities to work together.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: MARCHELL TURNER
This month, we are proud to shine our Staff Spotlight on Marchell Turner, one of IHN’s dedicated Community Referral Coordinators, and a shining example of what it means to advocate for patients with quiet strength and unwavering purpose.
As a Community Referral Coordinator, Marchell works on-site in the hospital, meeting patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and helping bridge the gap between inpatient and outpatient care. Whether connecting patients to a primary care home, coordinating follow-up appointments, arranging transportation, or linking individuals to community resources, Marchell approaches every interaction with the kind of thoughtful, compassionate care that truly makes a difference.
Her manager, Doretha Dillon, Assistant Director of Care Transitions, describes Marchell’s impact beautifully:
“I would like to recognize an exceptional patient advocate whose quiet strength, unwavering dedication, and keen observational skills make a remarkable difference in the lives of patients. Their ability to listen attentively, recognize unspoken needs, and approach every situation with thoughtfulness and compassion exemplifies the very best of patient-centered care. Although they may not always be the loudest voice in the room, their impact speaks volumes. They demonstrate a genuine commitment to ensuring that patients are heard, respected, and supported throughout their healthcare journey. Their attention to detail, professionalism, and ability to identify concerns that others may overlook reflect a deep understanding of the importance of advocacy. Their work is a powerful reminder that some of the most effective advocates are those who listen closely, observe carefully, and act with purpose.”
Marchell, thank you for the quiet but powerful impact you make every single day. We are so grateful to have you on the IHN team!
ALLIANCE FOR INNOVATION ON MATERNAL HEALTH COMMUNITY CARE INITIATIVE (AIM CCI)
Highlighting the power of partnership. From community-based organizations to healthcare institutions, IHN is proud to collaborate across sectors to advance health equity in the St. Louis region and beyond.
The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Community Care Initiative, known as AIM CCI, is a national program dedicated to addressing the alarming rise in pregnancy-related deaths in the United States. With a particular focus on women who are most at risk, including those of advanced maternal age, from medically underserved communities, and those experiencing significant racial and ethnic health inequities, AIM CCI is working to ensure that every mother receives the safe, high-quality care she deserves.
Established in 2020 and led by the National Healthy Start Association (NHSA) in cooperation with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), AIM CCI’s mission is to implement maternal safety bundles in community-based organizations and outpatient clinical settings across the country. These bundles are comprehensive, evidence-based sets of practices, developed under the guidance of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) and the Council on Patient Safety in Women’s Health Care, designed to give healthcare teams a standardized, proven approach to caring for pregnant and postpartum women.
AIM CCI’s work is organized around four critical focus areas: enhancing postpartum care to support a healthy transition to motherhood; addressing maternal mental health concerns that arise during and after pregnancy; providing resources to address and prevent intimate partner violence; and implementing strategies to manage and reduce hypertension during pregnancy.
Missouri is proud to be among 15 sites nationwide selected to pilot these maternal safety bundles, demonstrating their effectiveness across both community-based and outpatient clinical settings. IHN is honored to be part of this important work as we continue our commitment to advancing maternal health equity across the St. Louis region.
To learn more about AIM CCI and how you can get involved, visit aimcci.org or watch their informational video on YouTube.
By M. Ryan Barker, Chief Program & Policy Officer and Bill Winfrey, Vice President of Policy & Strategic Initiatives
It’s Time to Vote!
November 3 is coming soon and your voice in our elections is vital. Now is the time to check your voter registration status, review your sample ballot, and decide when and where you will vote. Check that your registration reflects your current address, confirm what identification you need, and plan for transportation.
Consider voting early. It gives you more flexibility and can free you up to volunteer on Election Day, helping others get to the polls or supporting community voter outreach.
Invite someone else to make a plan, too. Check in with the elders in your life, your neighbors, and your friends. Ask whether they need help finding voting information, arranging a ride, or locating an accessible voting site.
MISSOURI
Voter registration: The deadline to register for the November election was October 7. Check your registration status and information.
Early voting: No-excuse, in-person absentee voting runs October 20–November 2. Contact your local election authority for locations, hours, and identification requirements.
Voting by mail: An eligible reason is required to vote absentee by mail. Your local election authority must receive your application for a mailed ballot by October 21 at 5 p.m. Your completed ballot must reach that office by November 3 at 7 p.m. Request and return it early, and follow the ballot instructions carefully. Find absentee voting instructions and the request form.
Election Day voting: Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open 6 a.m.–7 p.m. If you are in line at 7 p.m., you have the right to vote. Find your polling location.
Review your ballot: Look for your sample ballot through Missouri’s voter information lookup. If it is unavailable there, visit your local election authority’s website.
ILLINOIS
Voter registration: The deadline to register for this election has passed, but you can check your registration status.
Early voting: Early voting is underway and continues through November 2. Locations and hours vary. Find your local election authority to check the schedule near you.
Voting by mail: No excuse is required. Your election authority must receive your application for a mailed ballot by October 29. Completed ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by November 3 and received by November 17. Send yours early or follow local instructions for returning it in person or through an official drop box. Contact your local election authority to request a ballot and review return options.
Election Day voting: Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open 6 a.m.–7 p.m. Find your polling location. If you need to register that day, confirm your registration location before you go.
Review your ballot: Visit your local election authority’s website to find your sample ballot and see the candidates and questions you will vote on.
IHN RELEASES 2025 IMPACT REPORT
We are excited to share IHN’s 2025 Impact Report, highlighting how our strategy translated into action across the region.
This edition reflects IHN’s work to strengthen the regional safety net through collaboration, community-clinical integration, workforce development, and cross-sector partnerships linking health with housing, justice, and community well-being. It also highlights our role in supporting initiatives like Empowered Thriving Communities and the Home Repair Network.
The report captures IHN’s continued growth, including expanded funding, strengthened partnerships, and programs that connect individuals and families to care and support.
Read the Impact Report:
https://bit.ly/48Ig970
Download the full report:
https://bit.ly/49gvD28
- Free Health Screenings | Every Tuesday, 9:00a.m. – 1:00p.m. | BJK People’s Health Centers
- 314 Oasis Healthcare Resources | Wednesdays, 11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. See Full Schedule | Centennial Church, 4950 Fountain Park | See Grocery Giveaway Schedule
- Healthcare Resources | Mondays, 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. | St. Louis Public Library – Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108, No appointment necessary
- Health Insurance Resources | Wednesdays, 1:00p.m. – 3:00p.m. | St. Louis Public Library – Carpenter Branch, 3309 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63118, No appointment necessary
- Healthcare Resources | Fridays, 10:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. | St. Louis Public Library – Central Branch, 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, No appointment necessary
- Family Fridays | Every Friday, 3:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. | St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton Ave.
- Fresh Start Community Resource Fair! | November 18th, 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. | Beyond Housing Headquarters, 6506 Wright Way, St. Louis, MO 63121