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Problem:
To address Healthy People 2010 adolescent health targets related to environment and behaviors we provide novel public health interdisciplinary instructional experiences that also address MCHB strategic goals: eliminate health disparities, assure the highest quality care and facilitate access to care
Goals and Objectives:
Goal 1: Prepare professional personnel in core MCH disciplines for leadership roles in training, research, and developing organized systems for the delivery of innovative, effective adolescent health services
Objective 1: Provide advanced clinical preparation to long-term trainees by a balanced interdisciplinary curriculum addressing adolescent health issues using a variety of settings and instructional methods, focused on clinical care, health promotion, interdisciplinary process and public health systems
Objective 2: Provide advanced interdisciplinary leadership training via novel instructional experiences focused on competencies in leadership, administration, communication & teaching, health services research, and community-based educational partnerships, resulting in leadership knowledge, skills and attitudes
Goal 2: Advance faculty leadership that enhances the capacity of MCH- and Title V-related entities to work toward the vision of the national MCH strategic plan
Objective 1: Enhance the capacity of Title V, MCH and related programs to provide comprehensive, integrated, family-centered services to adolescents and their families by technical assistance and consultation promoting youth development that addresses the needs of under-served youth from high-risk
Objective 2: Expand existing collaborative interdisciplinary partnerships between project faculty and MCH personnel, using advanced technology, to include distance learning, continuing educational programs, new service design, research, and mutual support.
Methodology:
The Rochester LEAH project uses a curriculum providing a range of interdisciplinary educational experiences preparing professionals for leadership roles in adolescent health care. Using proven instructional methods and authentic evaluation grounded in core public health principles, this project emphasizes the faculty’s experience in developing and maintaining community-based programs providing population-based care. A variety of academic, clinical and research interactions between trainees and faculty ensures that trainees acquire competencies for leadership roles, while faculty advance their existing leadership roles integrating adolescent health services into local, State, regional and national systems of care, and conducting cutting-edge research. Emphasizing community-based, interdisciplinary experiences, this project balances clinical service learning with administration, public policy and advocacy skills building, and minimizes costs through leveraged funds from other sources with congruent goals. Shared interdisciplinary experiences combining trainees and faculty in activities prepare trainees to both analyze leadership needs and demonstrate leadership in action. These abilities are achieved through activities matched with each trainee’s preferred learning style, highly experiential and authentic. The curriculum is composed of four primary components: 1) didactic seminars; 2) clinical practica; 3) leadership practica; and 4) exemplary interdisciplinary experiences.
Coordination:
Local Health Director and State Adolescent Health Coordinator (SAHC) present seminars; SAHC and State MCH Director work with faculty and trainees on statewide Youth Development (YD) initiative and community-based adolescent pregnancy prevention; Consultation to U.S.V.I., and CE grant with Puerto Rico, on local YD program development; 7-site LEAH DL grant submitted; 3-year MCH research scholar grant; HRSA/BHPr graduate trainees in LEAH classes; CDC/MCHB NIIAH liaison to LEAH and SAM
Evaluation:
Data are gathered and analyzed to evaluate: 1) project process and 2) project impact on relevant health outcomes. Evaluation procedures to assess project process are based on the principles of Total Quality Management and are designed to be rigorous, dynamic, continuous, mutual, and comprehensive. Health outcomes are determined for adolescents served by the project as well as those living in the region where the project takes place
Experience to Date:
This adolescent health training project has 2 interactive elements, training future leaders and developing faculty to enhance MCH and Title V activities, with special attention is focused on assuring equal access and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities among patients served and professionals trained and the emerging needs of adolescents with SHCN and chronic illness. In the 9-year history of this program, 50 individuals have had long-term (LT) interdisciplinary leadership training in adolescent health. An additional 1120 were short-term trainees. This year there were 74 medium-term trainees in adolescent health. Trainees and faculty have provided 1,286 continuing education programs in adolescent health, with 38,895 participants to date. A former medicine fellow earned a NIH Academic Career Award re: cultural competence. HRSA/BHPr Graduate Psychology Education and LEAH trainees shared didactic and clinical experiences. The LEAH team opened Teen Clinic in local CHC and former nutrition LT completed post-doctoral fellowship. Faculty were named to directorships in Centers of Excellence funded by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the NYS Dept of Health. Liaision with the National Initiative to Improve Adolescent Health and MCHB-funded adolescent health centers based in Rochester, as was state-wide Youth Development (YD) activities in NY. Linguistically and culturally competent YD continuing education conducted in Puerto Rico.
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