UIC-SPH Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health (COE-MCH) + MCH Academic Postdoctoral Enhancement
Grant Status: Completed
Training Category: Centers of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education Science and Practice
Project Director(s):
Arden Handler, DrPH
Project Director
University of Illinois School of Public Health (UIC-SPH)
1603 W. Taylor
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: 312-996-5954
Email: handler@uic.edu
Problem:
While there have been dramatic improvements in the health status of the MCH population, new threats have emerged and disparities remain. Within a changing healthcare landscape, the MCH workforce must have the appropriate knowledge and leadership skills to effectively tackle challenges and pursue new opportunities to improve maternal and child health.
Goals and Objectives:
Goal: to provide students (undergraduate/graduate), post-doctoral scholars, and working MCH professionals with a rigorous evidence-informed academic program steeped in social justice, practical experience, and collaboration with both communities and Title V partners leading to the development of local to global leaders focused on supporting the health and well-being of women, children, and families including children and youth with special health care needs. Objective: In each project year, 100% of MPH and PhD students will participate in high quality curricula that support the achievement of the ATMCH and MCH Leadership competencies. Objective: In each project year, at least 85% of MPH graduates will be in middle-level leadership positions in MCH practice, and at least 85% of PhD graduates will obtain advanced leadership positions in MCH academe or practice, within 5 years of graduation.
Methodology:
1) Implement skills-based MPH and PhD curricula that focus on the MCH life course and prepare diverse future MCH professionals to become leaders who are able to design, implement and evaluate scientifically-based, family-centered, culturally competent interventions; 2) Provide Personal Leadership Development/Coaching as well as Professional and Career Development across the MCH Workforce continuum (undergraduate/graduate students, alumni, postdoctoral scholars; MCH professionals); 3) Provide multiple CE or TA activities which build the analytic and personal/organizational leadership capacity of state Title V agencies and assist a multi-disciplinary MCH workforce to respond to complex problems in a changing environment; 4) Support students and faculty to engage in and disseminate cutting-edge scholarly research.
Coordination:
The UIC-SPH MCH-COE coordinates with Title V agencies, their partners, and community organizations in Region V and VII states and the nation, with other MCHB funded training programs, and with the Mid-America Public Health Training Center in a variety of activities.
Evaluation:
Continuous program monitoring is used to document adherence to objectives and planned activities. The outcome evaluation uses the process information to judge progress toward achievement of the objectives rather than just documentation of completion of an activity.