Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development

We aim to improve the health of mothers, children, and families by developing leaders in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and building the MCH workforce.

We achieve this through a variety of strategies and programs that provide training, education, leadership development, and support for MCH professionals. Our funding opportunities and partnerships ensure that our investments in training and workforce development reach all corners of the nation and several U.S. territories. View our map of workforce development funded projects.

• Special Journal Issue on Workforce Development (original research, commentaries, innovations, policy and program evaluations)
• Join our MCHB Workforce Development Email List
• Browse MCH career opportunities

Professional development opportunities in MCH

Our programs and initiatives create pathways to graduate education and support practicing MCH professionals.

Opportunities include:

• Grants and other awards that support the development of the current and future MCH workforce
• Online resources for MCH professionals to stay informed and up to date on the latest trends and best practices

Search our funded Workforce Development projects

Our approach

We recognize the importance of supporting and sustaining a skilled, diverse, and innovative MCH workforce. Our programs work at multiple stages across the life course to meet the ever-evolving needs of America's mothers, children, and families.

With our committed partners, our investments strengthen public health capacity and address the needs and challenges of the MCH workforce by:

• Offering national leadership and direction to educate and train current and future leaders
• Supporting workforce diversity to ensure that the MCH workforce is representative of the communities it serves
• Building capacity through state- and community-based programs
• Emphasizing the development and use of interprofessional, family-centered, community-based, and culturally responsive systems of services

Success stories

Our MCH training programs have lifelong impacts on the careers of MCH leaders. Trainees from our Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Program (PDF) and our Leadership Education in Adolescent Health Program (PDF) described their experiences.