Funded Projects

Problem:

Populations in isolated Indian Health Service regions and Appalachian counties have disproportionately worse MCH outcomes than national averages. Public health professionals serving these populations have identified the need for training in MCH epidemiology.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: Establish and maintain a culturally competent MCH Training Collaborative involving University of Arizona, University of Kentucky, representatives of IHS and the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET). Objective 1: Convene a project pre-implementation planning meeting of the Collaborative Committee at USET office in Tennessee in Year 1 (October 2009). Objective 2: Conduct in Year 1 (November 2009), a tribes-led cultural competency workshop for project personnel in order to promote better understanding, in-depth knowledge of MCH care needs of tribal and Appalachian families, and training needs of MCH professionals that serve them Goal 2: Develop 14-credit Graduate Certificate in MCH to be offered by UA and UK, using innovative internet technologies and delivery approaches that surpass the face-to-face classroom experience Objective 1: Develop online courses on introduction to MCH, introduction to MCH Epi, project design, community-based evaluation, perinatal epi, MCH data systems, evidence-based MCH, cultural/linguistic competence, and introduction to leadership in Year 1. Goal 3: Increase the capacity in MCH Epidemiology of MCH workers serving in rural, isolated, and underserved Indian Health Service regions and Appalachian counties. Objective 1: Enroll and train the 1st cohort of 10 participants, with matriculation at the end of Year 1 (spring 2010). Enroll subsequent cohorts of 10 participants in spring of years 2, 3, 4 and 5. Goal 4: Implement a monitoring and program evaluation plan, ensure sustainability, and disseminate experience from course. Objective 1: Monitor and evaluate annual performance and experience of all project stakeholders - students, faculty, tribes and community members, and use results to improve program content and delivery. Objective 2: Conduct follow-up surveys of trainees at the end of Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the project to assess the long-term utility of the course and plan for the sustainability of the project.

Methodology:

Establish an MCH Training Collaborative of academic and community partners; define curriculum content using a participatory approach; design and convert courses to online format; establish infrastructure to ensure effective and efficient course delivery; work with USET to market the course; enroll and train participants; evaluate and disseminate project experience; ensure sustainability of project.

Coordination:

#2 - eliminate health disparities; #16 - improve the health and well-being of MCH populations; #23 -- workforce development to ensure effective service delivery by federal, tribal, state, and local health agencies. Faculty at University of Arizona and University of Kentucky; the Collaborative Committee; link with other MCHB training programs and state MCH Directors in USET service region.

Evaluation:

Data will be collected on effectiveness of the Collaborative, selection of trainees, training delivery, and contribution to MCHB's Training Program Strategic Plan. Results will be used to improve our program.

Experience to Date:

In 2010, we enrolled the first cohort of students. Ten students were awarded funding to attend the certificate. Overall, we completed the delivery of three courses during the Fall semester, two courses during the Spring session and six webinars. Through the course of program, trainees developed several projects for their organizations with potential for funding from other agencies. Recruitment efforts for the second cohort of students continued through the year 2010-2011. Ten trainees were awarded funding through the program. Trainees enrolled were from Iowa, Michigan, Kentucky (3), Mississippi, California (2), New York and Colorado. These students attended an introductory session to familiarize them with the online learning system (D2L) and they will start classes during the Summer. The Collaborative Committee meeting took place at USET offices in Nashville. During this meeting, the committee discussed the development of a survey to evaluate the certificate as well as strategies to improve recruitment and retention activities.