Certificate in MCH Public Health

Problem: Populations in rural, isolated Indian Health Service (IHS) regions and Appalachian counties have disproportionately worse maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes than national averages. Public health professionals serving these populations have identified the need for training in MCH epidemiology. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the University of Kentucky (UK) will provide a 15-credit graduate certificate. Goals and Objectives: Goal #1: To establish and maintain a culturally competent MCH Training Collaborative involving MCH faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health (UAB, SOPH) and the University of Kentucky College of Public Health (UK CPH), representatives of IHS and the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET), as well as MCH providers in rural, underserved counties of Appalachian Kentucky. Objective #1: Convene a project pre-implementation planning meeting of the Collaborative Committee at USET office in Tennessee in Year 1 (August 2009). Objective #2: Conduct in Year 1 (November 2009), a tribes-led cultural competency workshop for project personnel in order to promote better understanding, in-depth knowledge of MCH care needs of tribal and Appalachian families, and training needs of MCH professionals that serve them. Goal #2: Develop 15-credit Graduate Certificate in MCH to be offered by UAB and UK, using innovative internet technologies and delivery approaches that surpass the face-to-face classroom experience. Objective #1: Convert three existing core syllabi (Introduction to MCH, Introduction to MCH Epidemiology, and Community-Based Evaluation) into online format, and design six new elective online courses (Perinatal Epidemiology, MCH Data Systems, Evidence-Based MCH, Grant Writing & Project Design, Cultural/Linguistic Competence) and Introduction to Leadership in Year 1 (2009-2010). Goals #3: Increase the capacity in MCH Epidemiology of MCH workers serving in rural, isolated, and underserved Indian Health Service regions and Appalachian counties. Objective #1: Enroll and train the 1st cohort of 10 participants, with matriculation at the end of Year 1 (spring 2010). Enroll subsequent cohorts of 10 participants in spring of years 2, 3, 4 and 5. Goal #4: Implement a monitoring and program evaluation plan, ensure sustainability, and disseminate experience from course. Objective #1: Monitor and evaluate annual performance and experience of all project stakeholders - students, faculty, tribes and community members, and use results to improve program content and delivery. Objective #2: Conduct follow-up surveys of trainees at the end of Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the project to assess the long-term utility of the course and plan for the sustainability of the project. Activities undertaken to meet project goals: Establish an MCH Training Collaborative of academic and community partners; define curriculum content using a participatory approach; design and convert courses to online format; establish infrastructure to ensure effective and efficient course delivery; market the course; enroll and train participants; evaluate and disseminate project experience; ensure sustainability of project. HP 2010 Objectives: Goals #2 - eliminate health disparities; #16 - improve the health and well-being of MCH populations; Goal #23 – workforce development to ensure effective service delivery by federal, tribal, state, and local health agencies. Coordination: Faculty at UAB and UK; the Collaborative Committee; link with other MCHB training programs and state MCH Directors in USET service region. Evaluation: Data will be collected on effectiveness of the Collaborative, selection of trainees, training delivery, and contribution to MCHB’s Training Program Strategic Plan. Results will be used to improve our program. Annotation: Working in partnership with the IHS, USET, county, and indigenous population representatives in Appalachian Kentucky, the UAB and UK will design, implement, and evaluate a 15-credit Graduate Certificate course aimed at increasing the capacity in MCH epidemiology of MCH workers serving in rural, isolated, and underserved Indian Health Service regions and Appalachian counties.