Maternal and Child Health Pipeline Training Programs: A Description of Training Across 6 Funded Programs

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Workforce Development
• Health Disparities Reduction

Background:

• Critical need to diversify the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) workforce.
• MCHPTPs aim to reduce health disparities in MCH populations.
• Programs support students from undergraduate to graduate education.

Purpose of the Study:

• Summarize training models and components across six MCHPTPs (2016-2021).
• Examine the design and delivery of undergraduate pipeline training.
• Identify insights gained across MCHPTP programs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of training models and components from six MCHPTPs.
• Examination of undergraduate pipeline training design and delivery.
• Identification of cross-program insights.

Main Results:

• Key strategies identified: recruitment, student persistence support, and pipeline-to-workforce intentionality.
• Student persistence support included financial aid, mentoring, sense of belonging, and research utilization.
• Linkage to MCH Bureau (MCHB) training and professional development opportunities was crucial for workforce objectives.

Conclusions:

• MCHPTPs successfully increase MCH workforce diversity.
• Programs actively prepare the next generation of MCH leaders.
• Connecting undergraduates to MCH training infrastructure demonstrates comprehensive impact.