National Center for MCH Workforce Development

PROBLEM: An MCH Workforce Development Center is urgently needed to train State Title V program leaders and staff in order to meet current MCH policy and programmatic imperatives in four key areas related to implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA): (1) access to care; (2) quality improvement; (3) systems integration; and (4) population health management. A National MCH Workforce Development Center can engage and deploy the expertise of key partners in academia and practice in the design and implementation of evidence-based training efforts to enhance the capacity of the MCH workforce to lead in ACA implementation and public health transformation. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goal 1: Develop a consolidated workforce center that focuses on systems integration, equity, population health management and access and meets the diverse implementation needs of the state and territorial MCH public health workforce. Goal 2: Conduct a state and territorial assessment of MCH Title V readiness and implementation status relative to the ACA and health reform. Goal 3: Launch Transformation Station through AMCHP beginning with universal training opportunities for the current Title V workforce and the MCH leadership training pipeline. Goal 4: Develop targeted training opportunities in Population Health Management, Systems Integration, Quality Improvement, and Access to Care for State & Territorial Title V agencies to strengthen implementation of the ACA and health systems reform. Goal 5: Identify and engage states in intensive, transformative implementation work through team-based, on-site and distance coaching, training and technical assistance. METHODOLOGY: The proposed scope of work will build on existing capacity and infrastructure in both the MCH academic and practice communities, creating the synergy necessary to quickly establish a consolidated National Center for MCH Workforce Development uniquely positioned to deliver science informed and evidence-based training and technical assistance. National Center tools, products and approaches will be guided by the needs and demands of end-users – state and territorial Title V and MCH pipeline programs – through a process of ongoing assessment, monitoring and evaluation. The National Center will utilize a collaborative approach for assessment, curriculum development, delivery/dissemination, and evaluating impact, thus bringing together the existing capacity and expertise of a wide array of organizations and individuals in Title V within academia, advocacy, and government at the federal, state and community levels. The Center is committed to an integrative approach to workforce development as we believe that it will not only assure efficiencies, but also result in greater efficacy of efforts along the broad continuum targeted by the Center - ranging from Title V policy leaders to state and territorial program managers, from key MCH partners and stakeholders to the pipeline of pre-service learners. Existing and new training materials and curricula created will be made available to current and prospective MCH professionals through mixed modalities and multiple communication channels, expediting the translation of new knowledge to practice and peer-to-peer learning within a stimulating community of practice. HP 2020 OBJECTIVES: PHI-2 COORDINATION: The program will reflect a consortium coordinated by the UNC Department of MCH in collaboration with AMCHP and include diverse partners: UIC MCH Leadership Training Program, Howard University MCH Pipeline Program, Boston University Catalyst Center, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, the Center for Public Health Quality, and the NC Institute for Public Health. EVALUATION: Formative and summative assessments will be conducted. Data will be collected at start and throughout funding period. ANNOTATION: The National MCH Workforce Development Center will engage practicing Title V staff and MCH pipeline students in improving competencies through mixed modality training, coaching, collaborative learning, and intensive technical assistance designed to transform the MCH public health delivery system.