Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development Center Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development Center Program (HRSA 16-036)?

The Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development Center Program (HRSA 16-036) is a federal funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HHS-HRSA). It is designed to strengthen the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) workforce that supports State Title V programs.

What is the main purpose of this program?

The central aim is to help current and emerging Title V leaders and staff keep pace with major public health expectations tied to health transformation. This includes ongoing updates to the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant and the continued rollout and impact of health reform at state and national levels.

How does the program define "health transformation" in practice?

In practice, the program is meant to improve how Title V agencies plan, manage, and lead modern MCH systems in a policy environment that is constantly evolving, including changes connected to health reform and Title V Block Grant updates.

Who is the program intended to support?

The program is intended to support the MCH workforce that supports State Title V programs, including current and emerging Title V leaders and staff. It also reflects a long-term view that includes supporting the pipeline of future MCH leaders and staff.

How many awards were anticipated under this opportunity?

The solicitation anticipated making one award.

What will the award fund?

The award supports the creation of one national workforce development center housed within an institution of higher education. This single national center is intended to serve as a training hub and coordinate a unified national approach to workforce development.

Is this a national or regional center model?

This opportunity uses a single national center model rather than funding multiple regional centers. The goal is consistent, high-quality training and technical support that can be used across all Title V jurisdictions while remaining adaptable to local needs.

What does the national center do?

The national center functions as a training hub responsible for coordinating and implementing a national training strategy. It is expected to deliver a coherent set of training and capacity-building offerings that address three required topic areas, rather than offering disconnected, one-time workshops.

How many states and jurisdictions are expected to be served?

The center is intended to support all 59 states and jurisdictions operating Title V programs.

What are the three main topic areas the Center must address?

The Center is expected to concentrate its work in three essential topic areas: (1) systems integration, (2) change management and adaptive leadership, and (3) evidence-based decision making.

What is meant by "systems integration" in this opportunity?

Systems integration generally involves helping MCH leaders work across programs, agencies, and sectors so that services and policies operate as a connected system rather than as isolated efforts.

What is meant by "change management and adaptive leadership" in this opportunity?

Change management and adaptive leadership emphasize practical leadership skills needed to guide organizations through shifting priorities, new requirements, and complex stakeholder environments.

What is meant by "evidence-based decision making" in this opportunity?

Evidence-based decision making focuses on strengthening the ability of Title V teams to use data, research, and evaluation to select strategies, measure progress, and make informed adjustments over time.

Does the Center have to cover all three topic areas, or can it focus on one?

The selected awardee is responsible for coordinating and implementing a national training strategy that addresses all three topic areas, not just one.

What is an academic-practice partnership, and why is it required?

An academic-practice partnership is a collaboration between academic institutions and public health practice settings (such as State Title V programs). It is required to blend academic strengths (research, curriculum design, evaluation methods, subject-matter expertise) with real-world operational experience so trainings are practical, relevant to day-to-day Title V responsibilities, and capable of producing measurable improvements in workforce readiness and performance.

Who is the Center expected to partner with?

The national training hub is expected to work in both formal and informal collaboration with State Title V programs and, as appropriate, other national partners.

What kind of training approach is expected?

A comprehensive national training plan is expected, with coherent offerings that build skills across systems integration, leadership, and evidence use. The approach is intended to support both the current workforce and the pipeline of future MCH leaders and staff.

What type of funding mechanism is used for this award?

This opportunity is a discretionary grant using a cooperative agreement funding instrument.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement means HRSA is likely to have substantial involvement in shaping or guiding the work compared with a standard grant.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and other entities as further clarified in the full eligibility language.

Where must the national workforce development center be housed?

The center is expected to be housed within an institution of higher education.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The program is listed under CFDA 93.110.

When was this opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on March 3, 2016.

What was the closing date for this opportunity?

The original and current closing date listed for this opportunity was May 5, 2016.

What is the intended outcome of the Center's work for Title V programs?

The intent is to improve workforce readiness and performance by providing consistent, high-quality training and technical support that strengthens Title V agencies' ability to plan, manage, and lead modern MCH systems in an evolving policy environment.

How does the opportunity balance national consistency with local differences?

The goal is to create training and technical support that can be used across all Title V jurisdictions while still being adaptable to differing local needs and contexts.