Conference Abstract Compendium Examples from the ... - CityMatCH

2009 CityMatCH Urban MCH Leadership ConferenceACCOMPLISHMENTS/RESULTSAccomplishments include regional consensus among MCH authorities for increased collaboration, datasharing and data skills training. In 2008, a binational advisory committee outlined the content andstructure of the training. Development teams then designed curriculum around targeted competencies forthe first of three planned workshops. States and local health entities selected core teams of healthprofessionals from three pairs of sister city communities to participate in the first round of training andhave agreed to support the teams through the two-year training period; selection criteria included teamexpertise in data, program and policy issues. Pre-workshop assessments have been held for each pair ofparticipating teams in order to provide comparison data for post-workshop assessments and to help shapeworkshop content. The first workshop is scheduled for June, 2009.BARRIERSPotential barriers may include insufficient financial and/or human resources to complete development offuture workshops, competing local and state health department priorities that could jeopardizeinstitutional support of training teams, and political developments that could threaten binationalcollaboration.LESSONS LEARNEDA binational approach to MCH capacity building is possible if sufficient interest and commitment existamong partners. Progress to date has depended on support from national, state and local level governmententities.108