Diversity in MCH Training: A Peer Learning Collaborative. An ...

Diversity in MCH Training: A Peer Learning CollaborativeAn OverviewIn 2009, a new Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Training Program grantee opportunity,Diversity in MCH Training: A Peer Learning Collaborative, was announced. TheCollaborative is sponsored by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Training Branchand will be facilitated by the MCH Training & Research Resource Center (TRRC) in partnershipwith the National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC).The Peer Collaborative is an intensive 9-12 month collaborative peer learning process in whichlocally-based teams are provided with a structured and safe environment to address challengesto racial and ethnic diversity within their Training Program through targeted technical assistanceand collaboration with peers. With a focus on helping MCH Training Programs in developinga workforce that reflects the ethnic and racial diversity of the U.S. population, the goals of theCollaborative are as follows:1. Cultivate furthersuccess in sitespecificefforts toincrease racial andethnic diversity withinthe MCH TrainingProgram2. Documentpromising strategiesfor increasing racialand ethnic diversityin MCH TrainingPrograms3. Identify supportneeded for granteesto successfullyimplement promisingstrategies4. Develop diversitypeer mentors amongMCH TrainingProgram granteesThe Collaborative involves four key activitiesto support participating teams’ work:• Onsite team building and planning meetingsat the start and completion of theCollaborative• Cross-team Web learning forums: TeamShare Web-based meetings• Technical assistance activities to supportimplementation of team goals: e.g.topic-specific Webinars, connection andcollaboration with technical experts,utilization of Collaborative intranet site• Ongoing individual team work and crossteaminformation exchange: e.g. monthlyindividual team meetingsThe Collaborative is part of a comprehensivediversity effort launched by the TrainingBranch aimed at supporting grantees intheir efforts to increase the racial and ethnicdiversity of trainees and faculty in MCHTraining Program. This effort also involvedthe following activities, conducted June-September 2009:• Grantees provided feedback on issues,strategies and challenges in addressingdiversity in their MCH Training Program• Faculty and trainee representatives in 5cities engaged in small group discussionswith facilitators from the MCH TRRCand the NCCC about issues that impactthe climate for diversity, suggestions forincreasing diversity, and support neededto address diversity issues in their TrainingProgramAdditional information may be accessed on MCHB’s Web site: http://mchb.hrsa.gov/training/grantee_resources_dtpc.asp

Diversity in MCH Training: A Peer Learning Collaborative• Update of the Diversity StrategiesLiterature Review. In 2007, the Trainee &Faculty Diversity Workgroup requesteda literature review on student and facultydiversity initiatives. The updated literaturereview presents published academicliterature, policy statements and other relevantinformation on promising practicesto recruit and retain underrepresentedstudents and faculty into health professionsprograms• Interviews with National Organizations.Representatives of several nationalorganizations were interviewed viatelephone to explore their policies andactivities focused on increasing, supportingand monitoring diversity within theirorganization.Five teams participated in the 2009-2010Peer Learning Collaborative from October2009-July 2010 and engaged in a variety ofdiversity-related partnership development,assessment and data collection activitiesto support their efforts to increase racialand ethnic diversity of their MCH TrainingPrograms.A new cohort of 6 teams representing 11MCH Training Programs and several partnerorganizations were invited to participatein the Collaborative from November 2010-November 2011.The MCH Training Program is one mechanism through which MCHB works to ensure that theMCH workforce reflects the Nation’s racial and ethnic diversity. As such, the Training Programhas used multiple strategies to increase trainee and faculty diversity in MCH Training Programs.These include program investments, reporting and performance measurement requirements,and grantee workgroups to develop diversity-related strategies and materials.MCH Training Program Strategies to Impact DiversityProgram Investments. MCH Pipeline Training Programshave been funded specifically to promote the developmentof a culturally diverse and representative health careworkforce by recruiting, training, and retaining students fromunderrepresented minorities into MCH professions.Data Monitoring and Performance Measures. All TrainingPrograms are required to report on performance measuresrelated to cultural competence and submit administrative dataon the racial and ethnic diversity of trainees and faculty. Anew performance measure specifically related to racial andethnic diversity of trainees was approved by the Office ofManagement and Budget (OMB) for future reporting.Grantee Workgroup. The Trainee & Faculty DiversityWorkgroup created a set of guidelines to help MCH TrainingPrograms develop a written plan to evaluate and monitorefforts to recruit and retain under-represented students andfaculty.Additional information may be accessed on MCHB’s Web site: http://mchb.hrsa.gov/training/grantee_resources_dtpc.asp