Enhancing Title V Workforce Capacity to Address Complex Challenges: Impact of the National Maternal and Child Health...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Systems
• Leadership Development

Background:

• The National Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development Center offers training and consultation to Title V programs.
• The flagship Cohort program is a leadership development initiative for multisector teams addressing health systems transformation challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the impact of skills gained in the Cohort program on state/jurisdictional capacities.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of leadership development in addressing complex public health challenges.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative evaluation data analyzed using inductive/deductive coding and the "Sort and Sift, Think and Shift" method.
• EvaluLEAD methodology used to identify and document impact from episode profiles.

Main Results:

• 94% of teams reported progress on health systems transformation challenges six months post-program.
• The Cohort program enhanced workforce skills (strategic thinking, systems thinking, leadership, communication), fostered partnerships, improved sustainability, and increased confidence.
• Improved population health outcomes were also reported.

Conclusions:

• Title V leaders and teams achieved significant results by applying Center tools and skills to complex challenges.
• Investing in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) workforce development is crucial for transformative public health outcomes and solving complex problems.