The one common denominator of all MCH/CSHCN leaders over the many years has been the COMMITMENT to helping the people they serve. That commitment is what makes the MCH family. - Dennis Rubino, Director, Children with Special Health Care Needs Program, Delaware
Given all we have to learn and then put into practice as Title V'ers, having this guidance is one of the best support systems around. If I can't have one of the seasoned MCH Title V experts in my back pocket, this guidance is the next best thing. - Millie Jones, Director, Bureau of Family and Community Health, Wisconsin
Are You a State Title V Leader?
If you are a senior manager in a state agency and your responsibilities include components of the MCH Block Grant - also known as Title V of the Social Security Act - yes, you are! You are:
- Responsible for improving service systems and health outcomes for ALL women, children, youth and families, including those with special needs, consistent with national health goals and state needs assessments
- Part of one of the 59 MCH leadership teams in the nation
- Involved with the WIC nutrition program, the Title X family planning program, the Part C early intervention program and various Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs, among others. Title V provides a framework for linking these programs to comprehensive strategies.
- Working in a state agency called Health, Public Health, Human Services or many other titles that convey responsibility for assuring the public's health. Some of you working specifically with Children With Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) programs are located in state universities
- Within a bureau, division or branch called Maternal and Child Health (MCH), CSHCN, Family Health, Community Health or something similar.
- In a position to make real a longstanding national commitment to the health of this nation's women, children, youth and families, including those with special needs!
Your title, specific duties, position and scope of responsibility vary from your counterparts across the nation. But the common denominator - responsibility for the Title V MCH Block Grant - provides a common mission. It is up to you and your colleagues to deliver on a national mission, legacy and promise for improved health of women, children, youth and families. AMCHP's Guide for Senior Managers will help you get started.
Your First Months as a New MCH Leader
Understand the job that you have been hired to do. How has the job been performed in the past and does that impact your ability to do the job now? Where do you and the Title V programs fit in the organization of the agency? What authority do you have for decision-making? Talk to your supervisor or agency director about these questions.ยท
Ask for briefing documents from program directors under your supervision. Ask that briefings include a description of the program(s), information about current program strengths and needs, budgets and contracts, staffing, statutory requirements, current performance reports, a schedule of key deadlines, needs assessment and data specific to the program area, "hot" issues, pending or proposed legislation, key stakeholders and constituencies, and any other issues that you should know.
Get to know the program staff as quickly as possible and personally meet as many of them as you can. Attend program staff meetings. Obtain a directory of your staff including their work, home, and cell phone numbers and background information on your key staff members.
Seek opportunities for involvement through AMCHP, your national association. Understanding what is happening at the national level helps you to be a strong MCH leader in your state, territory or jurisdiction. The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) annual meeting is an excellent training forum for learning about current issues, discussing federal directives and plans, and expanding your knowledge about managing Title V programs and funds.
Participate in AMCHP's mentorship program for new Title V leaders. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from your peers. The AMCHP website also provides many publications, issue papers, fact sheets and other policy documents that you will find helpful.
Read the first two chapters of this guide as soon as you can. They give a sense of the rich history of the nation's MCH programs and the commitment to family health we all share.