University of Tennessee

Problem:

Overweight/obesity, health disparities, unhealthy eating patterns, low breastfeeding rates, and sedentary lifestyles negatively impact MCH population health, particularly young children. Graduate degree training, technical assistance/collaboration and continuing education targeting family-centered and population-focused practices can address these problems.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1. Promote a culturally competent MCH nutrition workforce. Objective 1.1. Graduate at least 2 master- and/or doctorate-level funded trainees and 8 non-funded trainees annually; Objective 1.2. Webcast two ½ day Promoting Healthy Weight colloquia for 50 on-site attendees and at least 200 on-line participants by 2009; 600 on-line participants by 2013. Goal 2. Support the MCH nutrition infrastructure through collaboration, technical assistance and consultation. Objective 2.1. Collaborate with at least 2 Title V/MCH-related agencies as technical assistance and continuing education annually. Objective 2.2. Collaborate annually with ASTPHND on its continuing education needs assessment, annual meeting planning, and scholarship program. Goal 3. Generate and translate MCH nutrition research, particularly about overweight/obesity. Objective 3.2. Publish a faculty average of at least 1 manuscript, technical report, book/book chapter, or electronic educational product annually. Objective 3.3. Submit at least 1 research presentation or manuscript by 100% of funded Master’s trainees; at least 1 research presentation and manuscript by 100% of doctoral trainees prior to graduation. Goal 4. Develop culturally and linguistically competent MCH nutrition leaders who use evidence-based family-centered care and population-based practices. Objective 4.1. 100% of trainees improve their overall MCH leadership competence by at least one skill level category on the MCH Leadership Self-Assessment upon entry to and graduation from the program. Objective 4.3. At least 90% of alumni demonstrate MCH nutrition leadership as academics, clinical, public health, or advocacy within 5 years of graduation. Activities Undertaken to Meet Project Goals: • Graduate degree education and training in MCH/public health nutrition with field experiences • On-line continuing education and graduate-level elective course on promoting healthy weight • Cultural competency and MCH leadership workshops for trainees • Dissemination of research by faculty and trainees • Collaboration with other MCH nutrition programs through the collaborative website HP 2010 Objectives: (16.0) Maternal, Infant and Child Health; (23.0) Public Health Infrastructure; (1.0) Access to Quality Health Services.

Coordination:

The Project has input from its National Advisory Committee and collaborates with the Knox County Health Department, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities, and field sites for graduate training. Additional collaboration is with MCH nutrition training programs and state health departments in Regions I-IV.

Evaluation:

Trainee performance is evaluated as course grades, comprehensive oral or written final exams, joint assessment of field practice by trainees and preceptors, and analysis of fieldwork or thesis. Colloquia and continuing education will be evaluated in relation to learning objectives and outreach. Leadership will be evaluated as practice 5 years after graduation.