Funded Projects

Problem:

HRSA Region VI states have ethnically diverse populations, with high rates of uninsured and projected population growth resulting in four training needs: public health workforce crisis; geographic uniqueness with health/disparities; MCH Training/Title V programs disconnect; need for MCH leadership

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: To establish and maintain a Maternal and Child Health Training Program within the University of Texas School of Public Health. Objective 1: 1.2: Annually, program will collaborate with MCH training and Title V programs and provide experiential training opportunities in diverse MCH settings Objective 2: 1.3: By the end of Year 2, 15 students will be enrolled, and by the end of Year 3, 30 students will be enrolled Goal 2: To develop the knowledge and skills in long term, medium term, and short term trainees necessary to plan and implement programs for MCH populations. Objective 1: 2.1: At program completion, trainees will demonstrate an understanding of core public health functions and describe MCH problems and their determinants to design of programs/services at the local, state, regional and national levels Objective 2: 2.3: At program completion, trainees will demonstrate effective MCH critical thinking and effective communication skills Goal 3: To provide technical assistance in the form of customized instruction and resources, long-term trainee projects and MCH Infrastructure Development projects for state-level MCH and related personnel. Objective 1: 3.1: Annually, UTPSH/BCM faculty will develop at least 1 training module or technical assistance plan to address specific needs identified for each of the 5 states in HRSA Region VI. Objective 2: 3.2: During Years 2-5, at least 1 customized MCH knowledge and skills development training or technical assistance project will be completed by program faculty for each state in Region VI Objective 3: 3.3: Each year during Years 1-5, at least 1 MCH technical assistance special project per state will be completed by each long-term MCH Intensive Fellowship trainee cohort Goal 4: To promote the development of an MCH professional identity in participating trainees. Objective 1: 4.1: Upon completion of MCH Intensive Trainee Fellowship, at least 80% of long-term trainees will recognize and articulate MCH Leadership Competencies developed throughout the training program and will identify specific program components that led to this development. Objective 2: Obj. 4.2: Before completion of the program, trainees will interface with at least 2 practicing MCH professionals regarding career development within MCH in the development of an MCH Professional Development Plan. Objective 3: At completion of the program, trainees will identify knowledge and skills specific to MCH specialists they intend to utilize throughout their careers and articulate ways their training has equipped them to integrate within an MCH-related professional position.

Methodology:

The program has established the following tracks: an MCH concentration, an MCH certificate, an MCH fellowship training program, and tailored trainings for Title V agency personnel in HRSA Region VI by building upon the considerable infrastructure for distance education at UTSPH and BCM's strong collaborative ties to Title V agencies to provide education using interactive television, online, webinars, and on-site training.

Coordination:

Interactions with Region VI Title V Directors and other Title V agency staff is integrated into every aspect of the training project. Training program faculty and staff have conducted group and individual interviews with Title V/CSHCN directors during Year 1. Title V agency staff have presented in our MCH core training seminar. Continued collaboration with Title V Directors and various MCH programs will enable individualized approaches that best meet the needs of the Region VI MCH community.

Evaluation:

A comprehensive plan has been developed to evaluate program goals and objectives using verbal and written faculty evaluation, trainee self-evaluation, and constituent feedback. Methods to assess value-added contributions, impact, MCHB Performance Measures and alumni activities are included.

Experience to Date:

The training program has accomplished the following activities: 1. Continued to develop maternal and child health trainings for Texas Title V staff. We are now in the second phase of development. Currently sharing the assessment tool with other states in Region VI to create state-specific MCH trainings; 2. Created a MCH Leadership Curriculum based on the leadership competencies, including basic theories and concepts from the field of social work. The curriculum was created and being taught by a training student and GVSU social work faculty; 3. Increased the number of community-based technical assistance projects for fellows. The projects involve various MCH areas across the life course; 4. Expanded the multi-geographical learning experience by integrating interdisciplinary activities and perspectives. Michigan and Texas students work together on technical assistance projects. Baylor College of Medicine, LEAH, also continue to participate in the interdisciplinary learning experience; 5. Developed and improved training materials, policies and procedures (orientation manuals, recruitment methods, etc) to the streamline operations, improving the training program experience