Tulane Center of Excellence in MCH (CEMCH)
Grant Status: Completed
Training Category: Centers of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education Science and Practice
Project Director(s):
Carolyn Johnson, Ph.D.
Project Director
Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine
1440 Canal St., Suite 2301
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-988-4068
Email: cjohnso5@tulane.edu
Problem:
Expand and strengthen the MCH workforce in Louisiana (LA) and beyond for improving the health status of women, infants, children, youth and families in LA and the U.S.
Goals and Objectives:
Goal 1: Implement, advance and update a strong MCH-focused academic program for student preparation in the MCH workforce consistent with the MCH Leadership Competencies and the TU Academic Competencies. Objectives: 1) provide comprehensive MCH education through 45-credit MPH-MCH curriculum (30 scholars; 75 trainees); 2) continue MCH faculty monthly meetings with participation by community organization representatives; 3) expand MCH student body by marketing strategies in multiple venues. Goal 2: Develop and provide innovative leadership training and professional career development. Objectives: 1) establish scholar monthly mentoring, self-reflection; 2) implement leadership reading and lecture program; 3) implement seminars on professional skills building; 4) continue collaboration with USF and UAB for scholar career development and networking. Goal 3: Develop and implement personal/professional development workshops. Objective: 1) develop, and implement one workshop per month throughout project period. Goal 4: Offer opportunities for MCH trainee exposure to research. Objectives: 1) conduct advising workshop for MCH faculty advisors; 2) All trainees will engage in research activities. Goal 5: Strengthen and create mutually beneficial partnerships with MCH-related community and government agencies; Objectives: 1) set up six shadowing rotations (60 hrs) at organizations for each scholar; 2) set up community outreach service (80 hrs) for each scholar; 3) Implement CE activities and provide TA for professionals in the field.
Methodology:
To meet goals and objectives, TU CEMCH will build on its close relationship with LA OPH Title V, its strong academic program, and its community collaborations and university resources to: train and mentor students, develop faculty, advance research, serve the community, and provide CE and TA for MCH workforce. HP 2020 OBJECTIVES: TU CEMCH will address numerous HP objectives including but not limited to: reduce preterm births (MICH-9); increase women's preconception health care services and behaviors (MICH-16); increase infants breastfed (MICH-21); increase children ready for school in five domains of healthy development (EMC-1); increase personnel receiving CE consistent with core competencies (PHI-2).
Coordination:
Our active partnerships with LA OPH and other Title V agencies and MCH community organizations, collaborations with other training programs and other HRSA investments, shared faculty, field placements for MPH students, research projects, CE and TA, maximize the impact of the CEMCH because of coordinated sharing of expertise, resources, and experience.
Evaluation:
A comprehensive evaluation plan will measure quantitatively and qualitatively all goals and objectives. Data sources include: student tracking database; surveys of entrants, graduates and alumni for self-efficacy of competencies across time; tracking reports for research and service; and organization/activity database.