Oral

The purpose of this session is to describe the current context in which MCH workforce capacity building needs to be considered and share strategies that could be encouraged to address recruitment, retention and professional development needs at the state and community level. Particular attention will be given to the imperative for a more diverse MCH professional workforce, and to early efforts to improve the current picture.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the training needs of state MCH programs; 2. Examine the need and strategies for enhancing the diversity of MCH trainees who will become the MCH professional leaders of the future; 3. Describe state MCH program strategies for recruiting young talent into government agency employment and for supporting professional development within a highly pressured environment of budget reductions, furloughs and ever-increasing demands on these programs; 4. Identify national- and regional-level initiatives forged through partnerships between the federal MCH program, universities and national organizations to develop resources in support of state and local workforce development efforts.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)