DMCHWD Overview

The Division of MCH Workforce Development (DMCHWD), part of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau, provides national leadership and direction in educating and training our nation’s current and future leaders in maternal and child health. The Division also provides leadership through state and community-based capacity building programs. Special emphasis is placed on the development and implementation of interprofessional, family-centered, community-based and culturally competent systems of care across the entire life course.

DMCHWD supports programs established in federal legislation (Title V of the Social Security Act, the Autism CARES Act, and the 21st Century CURES Act) to complement state and local health agency efforts. DMCHWD partners with state MCH programs, academic institutions, professional organizations, and other health training programs of the federal government to ensure that MCH workforce development programs are grounded in emerging and evidence-based practices.

map of programs nationwide In Fiscal Year 2016, DMCHWD awarded 161 grants, an investment of approximately $47 million. Grants are awarded to develop MCH leaders at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels in the areas of public health, clinical practice, MCH teaching, research, and/or public health administration and policy making. DMCHWD also supports programs specifically focused on continuing education and professional development to address the ongoing training needs for practicing MCH professionals.

The Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children grant program supports community-based partnerships and collaborations aimed at improving the health status of disadvantaged children, youth, and their families nationwide by increasing their access to health services.

The Pediatric Mental Health Care Access program promotes behavioral health integration in pediatric primary care by supporting the development of statewide or regional pediatric mental health care telehealth access programs. These programs provide tele-consultation, training, technical assistance, and care coordination for pediatric primary care providers to diagnose, treat and refer children with behavioral health conditions.