• provide timely communication on emergent MCH issues.
• discuss hot topics through interactive groups.
• share news about our Section and other MCH-related events.
• post and explore job opportunities.
• allow for individual communication with MCH Section members via a secure platform.
• add information or document to a virtual MCH Section library.
• post draft documents for review and comment by MCH Section members.

Since launching the MCH Section Community, participants have posted job announcement in areas of evaluation and academia, and recent MPH graduates have shared their resumes with potential employers. Discussions on the importance of health care reform have been initiated, and the call for Section award nominations has been posted.  Also, members have shared information regarding MCH-related webinars. The Section plans to enhance these features as more members register. Also, the Section plans to use the Site as one of the primary vehicles for communicating information about the Annual Meeting and MCH Section sessions to its members. We invite each and every one of our Section members to register for and begin participating in this community. Instructions for registration and participation are posted below.

The Section has also made use of Facebook. In addition to our APHA Maternal and Child Health Section group, we have created a Facebook Page, accessible through the following link:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/APHA-Maternal-Child-Health-Section/118213198215627.  [Note:  Please make sure you are logged into Facebook before clicking the link above.  Otherwise, you will be asked to log in, and you will have to come back to the link.]  This page has several advantages for Facebook users.  By indicating that they "Like" this page, users may receive updates on Section activities in their News Feed. Additionally, users may initiate discussions, post photos, and communicate with all those who also "Like" the Section's page.

Instructions on How to Join the MCH Section Community

To register and become a member of the MCH Section Community, please follow these instructions:

1. Go to www.slhinet.org
2. Click on the “Register Now” link in the upper right-hand corner (blue-green box area), agree to the terms of use, and complete your individual profile.  This process includes the creation of your password.
3. After creating your profile and password and continuing to the next screen, DO NOT close (or exit out of) the window in which you are working.  Open a new window (or tab if your system allows) to check your email for confirmation.
4. The confirmation e-mail will be sent to you within 5 to 10 minutes. Upon receipt, click on the link provided in the confirmation e-mail.  By clicking this link, another window will open.  This confirms you are logged into the system, and that the connection with SLHInet (the e-system provider) works.  Note: If the link does not work, try copying the link and pasting it in the address box of a new window or tab.
5. You can close this most recent window and go back to the login screen from steps 1 – 3.
6. Sign-in from this screen using the email address and password you entered in step 2.
7. Click on My Communities in the blue-green box in the upper right-hand corner.
8. Using the Search Bar on the right side of the screen, enter APHA MCH Section and hit enter.  Click APHA MCH Section (it should be the only community in the list that appears on the next screen).
9. This brings you to the Welcome page for the APHA MCH Section.  Click Join Now under Participants on the right side of the screen to become a member of the community.
10. Select the e-mail address to which you would like the Section to send messages and also select your preference for receiving these messages.  Also choice your visibility and Click Save.
11. You are now free to browse the MCH Section Community page… Explore! Share! Network! Communicate!

Please note: You will automatically become a member of the Everyone Community, so it is essential for you to click on the My Communities link located in the blue-green box in the upper right-hand corner after you sign in to the site. From here, you can select the APHA MCH Section by clicking on the APHA MCH Section on the left of the screen.

For technical assistance, please contact MCH Student Fellow Melissa Mercado-Crespo at mmercad1@health.usf.edu. If you have recommendations about how to make best use of this new tool, please contact MCH Section Communications Chair Katie Baker at baker.marykate@gmail.com.