UTSPH/GVSU Multimodal MCH Training Program
Grant Status: Completed
Training Category: Reaching Practicing MCH Professionals in Underserved Areas
Project Director(s):
Courtney Byrd-Williams, PhD
Project Director
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
PO Box 20036
Houston, TX 77225-0036
Phone: 512-391-2508
Email: Courtney.E.ByrdWilliams@uth.tmc.edu
Problem:
There is a need for public health training for working MCH professionals in rural areas of HRSA Region VI as well as Northwestern/UP Michigan. These areas have large rural areas that experience disparities in health outcomes as well as access to services.
Goals and Objectives:
Goals include: Goal 1: Establish/maintain a modular distance training program as part of the UTSPH/GVSU Multimodal MCH Training Program; Obj 1.1: By the end of Year 1, at least 10 agency contacts will be established in each of the six states to recruit hard-to-reach working MCH professionals to participate in the modular training program; Obj 1.2: By the end of Year 1, at least one MCH course equivalent will be fully modularized and available through the TPHTC LMS; Obj 1.3: By the end of Year 2, 400+ individuals will complete at least one training unit. Goal 2: To develop training workshops consistent with MCH competencies for dissemination to hard-to-reach MCH professionals in the five states of HRSA Region VI and Michigan; Obj 2.1: Each year, four MCH Fellows will be recruited for an 18 month long fellowship period; Obj 2.2: By the end of Year 1, at least 4 different training workshops consistent with MCH competencies developed by MCH Fellows will be ready for dissemination. Goal 3: To develop the knowledge and skills in trainees necessary to plan and implement programs for MCH populations; Obj 3.1: At the completion of a training unit, 90% of trainees will demonstrate 80+% mastery of the material presented; Obj 3.2: 85% of participants will indicate the workshop increased their knowledge; Obj. 3.3: By the end of Year 2, a process will be developed by which training module credits can be applied to a graduate MCH certificate. Obj. 3.4: By the end of Year 3, a process will be developed by which training module credits can be applied toward an undergraduate MCH certificate. Obj. 3.5: After completion of training, trainees will demonstrate improved competence in completing their job responsibilities. Goal 4: To utilize the latest advances in eLearning technology for disseminating the online training units; Obj. 4.1: By the end of Year 3, 1+ MCH course will be available through EdX. Activities Undertaken to meet Project Goals: We will expand our training program with a modular distance training curriculum disseminated to hard-to-reach MCH professionals in HRSA Region VI and Northwestern/UP Michigan. Training will be available in a variety of formats including online, ITV, and in person. HP 2020 Objectives: The establishment of a Modular Distance training component addresses HP2020 public health infrastructure related goal to "[e]nsure that Federal, Tribal, State, and local health agencies have the infrastructure to provide essential public health services effectively."
Coordination:
We will coordinate with the HRSA-funded Texas Public Health Training Center to recruit trainees/disseminate training. TPHTC resources will be linked to train.org. Resources through MCH Navigator will be incorporated into our modular training units.
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.