Abstract
Problem:
Achieving optimal health outcomes for maternal, child, and adolescent (MCAH) populations requires a workforce of practicing and future MCAH professionals and leaders who are 1) prepared to address the complex needs of increasingly diverse populations, 2) able to adapt to a rapidly changing health systems environment, & 3) trained to lead transformative efforts that promote the needs and concerns of all MCAH populations. The mission of the MCAH Program at UC Berkeley is to develop the next generation of leaders equipped to solve the health challenges facing women, children, adolescents, and families of the 21st century. All program activities are designed to be interdisciplinary and responsive to newly emerging issues in MCAH and Title V, and to the unique needs of the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area and the state of California, as well as nationally and globally.
Goals and objectives:
Goal 1: To provide the best education possible to develop graduates who are prepared to lead Title V and other MCAH organizations and promote and protect the health status of diverse MCH populations.
Goal 2: To prepare public health and health care professionals to be leaders in the field of MCAH with a culturally competent, multidisciplinary, community-oriented, ethical, and cost-effective vision of maternal, child, and adolescent health with the skills that can help solve the health challenges of the 21st century.
Goal 3: To work closely with Title V and other MCAH programs at the state, local, national and global level to mobilize large scale, synergistic efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities and the barriers to health that affect MCAH populations.
Methodology:
Trainees will take courses and participate in leadership training activities to earn a Master in Public Health (MPH) degree in MCAH and excel at the outlined competencies. Each trainee will complete a field practicum to apply and integrate analytic and methodological tools in a practice based MCAH setting. Each trainee will also complete a quantitative capstone research project on a current or emerging MCAH issue to demonstrate competency in research and epidemiological skills. Emphasis is placed on recruitment and retention of diverse trainees. Technical assistance opportunities will be provided to the local, state, and regional MCAH workforce, including Title V partners.
Coordination:
Activities are conducted in collaboration with interdisciplinary partners and are closely integrated with local & state MCAH agencies, Title V programs, and training entities. Representatives of these agencies lecture in MCAH courses, serve as preceptors for student field work and capstone projects, serve on the Advisory Board, and collaborate on research projects. MCH agencies also employ program graduates and benefit from the technical assistance and consultation of program faculty
Evaluation:
Evaluation will include process and outcome measures in alignment with the project logic model, work plan, and evaluation plan. Data collection will occur throughout the project period and data will be analyzed to inform ongoing program monitoring and improvement efforts.