Maternal and Child Health Workforce Training
Overview
Altarum partnered with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to implement a HRSA-funded, Diversity and Health Equity Peer Learning Collaborative to effectively address diversity and health equity within Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Training programs. Participants came from across the US and included faculty members, university partners, trainees, and community agencies.
Approach
Altarum led the implementation of the Collaborative, from an initial background needs assessment to follow-up technical assistance and evaluation. Our work on the Collaborative included monthly webinars, web-based team sharing opportunities, resource sharing, and individualized technical assistance to prepare and train the next generation of MCH professionals to address health disparities and inequality.
Results
Our preliminary findings show that, because of the Collaborative, the MCH workforce is more equipped to address racial inequities, diversity, and health disparities in graduate programs. Participants report increased communication and collaboration across MCH training programs and universities, a strengthened commitment to diversity, and an increased awareness of implicit bias.