Building the Future: The Maternal and Child Health Training Program

This report describes the role of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Training Program in planning and supporting training designed to produce state, community, university, and professional association leaders who can advocate for children and mothers and continue to effect change that saves lives and enhances health. The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), which supports the MCH Training Program, ensures that graduate programs and professional schools selected to receive training grants provide students and faculty with a focus on women and children (including infants and adolescents) in their teaching, research, and service. By attracting attention to children's needs within a public health framework that also emphasizes such MCH values as family-centered and culturally competent care, the program aims ultimately to influence all aspects of maternal and child health throughout the nation. The program supports a set of key leadership activities, all of which promote Title V goals. This report details the MCH Training Program's history and accomplishments in four areas: (1) training students for leadership; (2) developing new fields and providing information and expertise; (3) supporting faculty; and (4) enhancing collaboration. The report also includes a more in-depth discussion of two training priorities: adolescent health and leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. The two case studies offer readers a snapshot of the MCH Training Program's evolution and where it stands today. (Appendices contain additional program information and fact sheets. Contains 36 references.) (EV)