Funded Projects

Problem:

A need exists to provide continuing education to current public health practitioners, to prepare graduate students in MCH and to mentor MCH junior faculty. Collectively these entities respond to the need for evidenced-based, culturally competent MCH practice and research.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: Expand the number and quality of MPH and DrPH MCH trainees to meet the needs of the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Regions. (Trainees) Objective 1: By Year 2, provide training in evidenced-based, culturally competent public health practice and research to all MPH and DrPH MCH trainees. Objective 2: By the end of Year 1, expand and enhance opportunities for training in cultural competence, community based participatory research and leadership for all MCH trainees. Goal 2: Advance the careers of junior faculty in the MCH program. (Faculty) Objective 1: Develop (in Year 1) and provide junior faculty a structured program of career development and research skills building (by year 4). Objective 2: By the end of Year 1, develop a structured mentoring program for MCH Junior Faculty Scholars. Goal 3: Increase MCH research capacity and activity that target the priorities of the Rocky Mountain Region. (Generate New Knowledge) Objective 1: During Year 1, establish a research infrastructure to support MCH junior faculty and doctoral trainees. Objective 2: By Year 2, we will assemble a competitive grant writing skills program for MCH DrPH trainees and junior faculty. Goal 4: Provide MCH professionals working throughout the Rocky Mountain Region access to the latest data to practice evidence-based public health. (Continuing Education) Objective 1: Provide two continuing education conferences to MCH professionals working throughout the Rocky Mountain region during Years 1 to 4. Objective 2: Make the MCH core course work available to regional partners through web based inter-institutional inter-state infrastructure. Goal 5: Provide technical assistance to MCH agencies working throughout the region, and nationally in order to deliver evidence-based services to women and families. (Technical Assistance) Objective 1: By Year 3, develop, publish, and maintain a regional web-based data base of MCH experts available for consultation and technical assistance. Objective 2: In Year 1, develop an innovative women's health related service learning project that provides trainees experience with technical assistance.

Methodology:

Activities of the MCH Training Program involve 1) developing an MCH enriched training experience (MCH Scholars Program) for MPH and DrPH trainees, 2) establishing and institutionalizing a program of junior faculty development in MCH leadership and research (MCH Junior Faculty Scholars Program), 3) increasing the MCH research capacity and activity that targets the priorities of the Rocky Mountain Region, 4) increasing the breadth and scope of an evidence-based continuing education program to meet the needs of MCH professionals working in field settings and 5) providing technical asssitance to MCH partners throughout the Southwest and the Rocky Mountain region.

Coordination:

Our partners include the Rocky Mountain Public Health Education Consortium which involves MCH programs and Title V funded programs. Additional partners are tribal public health programs, Family Voices and graduate public health education programs at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Colorado, University of New Mexico, University of Utah, Utah State University, University of Alaska, Anchorage and Dine' College (Navajo Nation).

Evaluation:

Logic model components will be evaluated. Input will be assessed by tracking and documenting project expenditures. Processes will be assessed using measurement criteria for educational program assessment. Outputs will be measured in terms of our success in recruiting ethnically diverse trainees and MCH professionals serving in rural, isolated and underserved settings. Outcome measures will include changes in knowledge and skills in related MCH leadership competencies.

Experience to Date:

*12 graduate trainees have been matched with a faculty mentor during their research assistantships. *50% of the 12 trainees are from minority groups *15 trainees were sponsored to participate in the Summer Learning Institutes whereby students participated in real-life experiences in an urban, rural, tribal and US/Mexico border community *two junior faculty have been partially funded to protect their time to engage in professional developmental activities *two junior faculty been mentored by the co-directors who are senior faculty *we formed a partnership with Pediatric Pulmonary Center to become one of six Diversity in MCH Peer Collaboratives nationally through the MCH Training Resource Center and the National Center for Cultural Competence