Introduction

Missouri, often refered to as the Gateway to the West, is the 21st largest state in the union with 69,704 square miles, with its capital located in Jefferson City. The state of Missouri was named for the local Sioux Indian tribe, whose name translates to "the wooden canoe people." According to the last census, 5,988,927 people call the state of Missouri home, with about 82.8% White/Caucasian, 11.6% African American, and 3.5% Hispanic. Tthe states population is mainly split between its two largest cities -- St Louis, located on its eastern border, and the Kansas City Metro Area, located on its western border.

The Assessment and Evaluation and the NetworkCoordinators of the MidContinental Region are located in Missouri. The Coordinators aim to provide health information instructional assistance and resources for health professionals, consumers and Network members in the region.

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Health Resources

Jefferson County, Missouri Health Department -- The Jefferson County Health Department's mission is to protect the health of the public by preventing the occurence and spread of diseases and to promote healthy practices and lifestyles. The department works closely with local agencies and healthcare professionals to assure that basic environmental health standards are met and health services are available to all persons in the county.

Missouri Cancer Care -- Since 1990, Missouri Cancer Care has allowed residents of St. Charles and surrounding communities to receive the cancer treatment they need, closer to their homes.

Missouri Health Resources--Mississippi County Health Department-- Mississippi County Health Department provides links to local health department resources as well as to state health agencies and some national health programs.

Missouri Hospital Association -- The Missouri Hospital Association believes that hospitals and health care systems that fulfill their missions, improve the health of their communities and are valued throughout Missouri and the nation. The association works to create an environment that enables member hospitals and health care systems to improve the health of their patients and communities.

Missouri Primary Care Association -- The MPCA is a non-profit corporation founded in 1984 as an alliance of community and migrant health centers. The Association functions as an advocacy voice for the medically indigent and explores and implements activities aimed at promoting and providing high quality, accessible and personalized health care services to rural and urban populations; regardless of ability to pay; in the state of Missouri.

Missouri State Resources -- This is a list of state officials, state agencies and other national organizations that can direct consumers to resources within their communities, particularly those dealing with disabilities.

Oral Health Network of Missouri -- The OHNM is a statewide oral health care network whose members provide oral care to medically underserved, uninsured and insured populations at over 24 delivery sites within Missouri's rural and urban communities. The OHNM is a non-profit tax exempt organization that received Bureau of Primary Health Care Integrated Services Development Initiative (ISDI) funding. The purpose of the Network is to integrate dental clinical and administrative functions at Safety Net Dental Clinics in Missouri to increase their capacity to provide care to underserved patients.

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Community Health

Missouri Department of Mental Health -- The Department of Mental Health is responsible for overseeing with the prevention, treatment, and education about mental health, developmental disorders, and substance abuse, in the state of Missouri. The sites links consumers to wide range of information, such as treatment centers, educational materials for both providers and consumers, and links to its their subdivisions -- Children's Services, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Alcohol and Drug Abuse and finally Comprehensive Psychiatric Services.

Missouri Families.Org -- The website, administered by the University of Missouri and Lincoln University, provides Missouri families with lots of general information concerning finances, health, nutrition, and housing. Of particular interest are the sections on Aging, Developmental Disabilities, Health and Coping with Disasters. These sections contain FAQs, and links to general topics and educational resources about each topic area.

University of Missouri Kansas City Libraries --- Dental Instructional Resources Library -- The Dental Instructional Resources Library has a Patient Education collection which is available for use by dental students, staff and faculty as well as dental practitioners in the Kansas City area.

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Emergency Preparedness

• Federal Emergency Management Agency -- Region VII -- This site contact information for Region VII (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska), as well as disaster information, disaster preparation information, how to apply for assistance, and information on what to do after an emergency.
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services -- This site is responsible for issues on public health for the citizens of Missouri. It includes information on legislation, emergency response and terrorism, local and public health agencies and services, agencies on aging, demographics and services for health professionals.
• Missouri Department of Transportation -- MODOT -- Mission is to provide a world-class transportation experience that delights our customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri. This site includes information on highway safety, transportation improvement projects, aviation, rail and public transport information, as well as news information.
• Missouri Office of Homeland Security -- This site encompaseses all of the public safety missions ranging from aw enforcement, fire service, and first-responders, to emergency preparation, management, training and mitigation. It includes the Missouri Emergency Resource Information System, the Emergency Response Information Plan, grant information, news releases and the National and Missouri Threat Advisory.
• Missouri Poison Center -- The Poison Center, located at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, offers nformation on poison related questions 24 hours per day, 7 days per week as well as a community poison prevention education program and downloadable brochures on poisoning, toxic plants and animals.
• Public Health Emergency: Public Health and Medical Emergency Support for a Nation Prepared---This site contains three sections; Preparedness, Emergency and About ASPR (Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response). The information is comprehensive on all topics related to provision for health care in emergency or disaster situations.
• National Weather Service -- This site contains weather warnings, observations and forecasts as well as information on water and air quality, river observations and forcasts, weather safety information and education materials..
• State Emergency Management Agency -- SEMA is responsible to "protect the lives and property of all Missourians when major disasters threaten public safety in any city county or region of Missouri. SEMA responses to both natural and manmade disasters, and also for developing a State Emergency Operations Plan which coordinates the actions of Missouri State government departments and agencies in the event of any emergency requiring use of State resorces and personnel. This site includes information on how to plan and prepare for various emergency situation and resources for recovery.
  

Rural Health

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services--Primary Care -- Primary Care emphasizes keeping people healthy rather than treating illness, including the areas of medical, oral and behavioral health. Primary Care works to provide an adequate supply of health care providers in underserved areas of the state.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services --- Rural Community Health -- Rural health care in Missouri is provided by local health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural health care clinics. This site includes information on site locations, information for health providers, links to agency reports and other Missouri rural health associations.

Missouri Rural Health Association -- Missouri Rural Health Association's mission is to safeguard and improve the health of rural Missourians. This site includes information on legislation and advocacy, conferences and events, education and training and links to many other state governmental agencies.

Northeast Missouri Rural Health Network-- The Network is committed to coordinating and improving the access of quality basic health care services to all residents, with a special emphasis on impacting populations such as the medically underserved, uninsured and underinsured. The NMRHN has grown to 43 member agencies consisting of five rural hospitals, ten county health departments, ten ambulance districts, an air ambulance service, two medical education agencies, four mental health providers, a federally qualified health center, four nursing homes, hospice, pregnancy resource center, domestic violence center, home health agency, medical clinic and association for handicapped citizens.>

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Teens and Children

Kids Health for Kids, Teens, and Parents -- This page from the Nemours Foundation contains health information specifically targeting parents, children and teens. Each section presents the information in language and style most appropriate to the target audience.

MO HealthNet for Kids -- Missouri Department of Social Services provides comprehensive health coverage for children throu MO HealthNet for Kids. This site provides information on eligibility, cost, applying for assistance, finding a doctor and DSS Support programs.

Missouri Teen-Aid -- Teen-Aid, Inc provides links to Missouri State Statistics and State Legal Issues on child and maternal health, sexual activity, and the State Office for Family Research Council.

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Seniors

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services -- Community data profiles are available on various subject areas such as cause of death, chronic diseases, unintentional injuries, prenatal and others. Each community data profile table provides data on 15-30 indicators for each county/city selected. Information provided includes the number of events, county/city rate, statistical significance, quintile ranking and the state rate.

Missouri Health Care Association -- Missouri Health Care Association's Internet Resource Center is your link to the latest news, information and educational programs for the long-term care industry in the state of Missouri. Here you will find Legislation Issues, District News, Educational Seminars and Programs, and much more.

Missouri Rx Plan -- The Missouri Rx Plan is the Missouri State Pharmacy Assistance Program. It provides prescription drug assistance to Missourians in need by coordinating benefits with Medicare's (Part D) Prescription Drug Program.

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Minority and Underserved

Families USA Missouri Resources -- provides new materials published by Families USA, key health contacts, state government links, news and views from the state, and other resources that might be helpful to Missouri advocates.

Language Access Metro Project(LAMP) The Language Access Metro Project (LAMP) is a non-profit organization and a proactive community collaborative addressing issues of healthcare access for immigrants and refugees in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. Services include interpretation, translation and training for agencies to learn how to effectively interact with an interpreter.

Paula J. Carter Center on Minority Health and Aging -- Lincoln University Cooperative Extension/Paula J. Carter Center on Minority Health and Aging was developed to provide leadership in the health, social, and psychological needs of Missouri's minority, disabled individuals, and elderly populations.

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Informacion en Español

"Conozca sus derechos" es un folleto educacional gratuito de la Oficina del Procurador General del estado de Missouri, publicado en 2009. ("Know Your Rights" is a free educational pamphlet from the Missouri Attorney General's Office, published in March, 2009)

Centro latino de Salud, Educación y Cultura (seleccione la versión en español) Provee información sobre los servicios disponibles en Missouri para los latinos
(select Spanish version) Provides information about services available in Missouri for Latinos)

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Insurance and Licensing

Missouri Health Insurance Pool -- The web site details health insurance and assistance programs available to uninsured people in Missouri that have been (1) denied medical insurance, (2) have had their insurance terminted, or (3) have paid more than 300% the standard premium.

Missouri Health Insurance Sort this site explains the ins and outs of how medical insurance works in the state of Missouri. It allows consumers to compare and evaluate various medical insurance plans that are available in Missouri.

Missouri State Medical Association -- This is the website for members of the MissouriState Medical Association. It contains information on annual conventions, continuing education, practice managment issues including insurance, and links to public health resources.

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Grant Information

Missouri Foundation for Health -- The Missouri Foundation for Health helps develop and fund programs through grants to eligible organizations in the region. The Foundation's priorities encompass activities in both the prevention and treatment of disease and disability.

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Demographics

Missouri at a Glance -- U.S. Census -- This page is a set of quick facts from the U.S. Census on people, business and geography of Missouri.

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services--Health Data -- Data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services including Data, Surveillance Systems & Stattistical Reports

Missouri Census Data Center -- This site presents demographic data on health, housing and income in Missouri.

Missouri: At-a-Glance -- This site from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation provides information on demographics, health status, etc. for Missouri and shows it compares to the US overall.

Missouri Hunger Atlas -- This site assess the extent of food insecurity in Missouri for 2010. It also begins to gauge how well public programs are doing in meeting the needs of those who have difficulty acquiring sufficient amounts and qualities of food.

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Missouri Libraries

Missouri Online Library List - Directory of all libraries in Missouri; searchable by library name, institution, city and type.

Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association -- The Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association (MCMLA) is a chapter of the Medical Library Association (MLA), a professional organization of individuals and institutions in the health sciences library field.

Missouri Library Association -- The Missouri Library Association is a non-profit, educational organization operating to promote library service, the profession of librarianship, and cooperation among all types of libraries and organizations concerned with library service in the State of Missouri.

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MCR Staff Contact Information

University of Missouri -- Columbia Debra Ward, Director J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library University of Missouri -- Columbia One Hospital Drive Columbia, MO 65212 Phone: (573) 882-6280 Email WardDH@health.missouri.edu	Washington University in St Louis Paul Schoening, Director Bernard Becker Medical Library Washington University in St Louis 660 S. Euclid Ave, Campus Box 8132 St Louis, MO 63110 Phone: (314) 362-2774 Email: pas@msnotes.wustl.edu
Missouri/Advocacy Coordinator Barbara Jones J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library University of Missouri -- Columbia One Hospital Drive Columbia, MO 65212 Phone: (573) 884-5042 Email: jonesbarb@health.missouri.edu	Assessment and Evaluation Coordinator Betsy Kelly Bernard Becker Medical Library Washington University in St Louis 660 S. Euclid Ave, Campus Box 8132 St. Louis, MO 68198 Phone: (314) 362-2783 Email: kellyb@msnotes.wustl.edu

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MCR Project Information

Library Advocacy Project

Library Advocacy is a special project that is unique to the MidContinental Region. This area is focused on providing health science librarians with the tools and education to successfully advocate for their libraries within their institutions. It also works to increase awareness of the value of libraries and librarians to hospital administrators and health care professionals.

Assessment and Evaluation Project

The Assessment and Evaluation Liaison works with all members of the RML to carry out programs that contribute to the goals of the RML - improved access the health information for health professionals and consumers in the six state region. The A&E liaison designs tools to collect information about the state of health information access in the Region, barriers to access, and needs of information professionals supporting access to health information. The liaison analyzes data collected, articulates the issues identified and assists liaisons in designing programs to overcome barriers, meet needs and educate users in locating and using health information. The liaison plans and carries out evaluations of the programs that inform the RML staff and the NN/LM about the effectiveness of regional programs in meeting its stated goals.

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