August 25, 2023
Updated Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership Competencies
The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Division of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Workforce Development released updates to the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Competencies. The MCH Leadership Competencies support current and future MCH leaders by defining the knowledge and skills necessary to lead in this field.
The MCH Leadership Competencies describe the necessary knowledge, skills (foundational and advanced), and values within a framework designed to support and promote MCH leadership. Therefore, the Competencies can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- As a framework for training objectives for MCH training programs. It is the responsibility of MCH training programs to ensure that graduates have the foundation necessary to work within a variety of professional settings to contribute to the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families – and to inspire others to do likewise.
- To measure and evaluate MCH leadership training. The MCH Leadership Competencies can be used to guide measurement and evaluation of the impact of leadership training.
- To cultivate, sustain, grow, and measure leadership within the current MCH workforce. The MCH Leadership Competencies can be used as a tool to strengthen the leadership abilities of current MCH professionals in national, state, and local health agencies, academia, and other MCH organizations. In particular, the framework can assist in orienting those new to the field to the goals and methods of MCH, assess and promote leadership capacity, and guide continuing education efforts.
Also important is the understanding that leadership (1) can be developed through learning and experience; (2) can be exerted at various levels within an organization and at the national, state, or local levels; and (3) opportunities change over time.
The document is intended to be a resource for MCH interdisciplinary training programs, national, state, and local health agencies, and other MCH organizations.