NACCHO, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Reproductive Health, has launched its 2024-2025 cohort of the Virtual Learning Collaborative (VLC) for the Inclusion of Maternal-Child Health (MCH) Populations in Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR). The goal of the VLC is to cross-train MCH and EPR professionals at local health departments (LHDs) on integrating MCH considerations into emergency planning.

The LHDs selected to participate in the fourth cohort of the VLC include:

• Olmstead County Public Health Services, Minnesota

• Benton-Franklin Health District, Washington

• Lincoln County Public Health, Oregon

• Southeastern Idaho Public Health, Idaho

• Rock County Public Health, Wisconsin

• San Benito County Public Health Services, California

• Southern Nevada Health District, Nevada

• Tulsa Health Department, Oklahoma

• Taney County Health Department, Missouri

• Escambia County Health Department, Florida

The VLC consists of training exercises and case study discussions in a peer-to-peer learning environment, helping LHDs strengthen their capacity to prioritize MCH populations in emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities.  This program involves identifying and planning for improvements in MCH/EPR collaboration and the incorporation of MCH considerations in emergency planning at LHDs, thereby improving public health response.

NACCHO will work with the VLC to address the gaps identified and exacerbated by all-hazards events through training, technical assistance, and resources. By the end of the program, EPR personnel increase their knowledge of MCH priorities and MCH personnel are trained in preparedness activities. Members of the VLC will be able to implement what they learn by updating operational plans to incorporate access and functional needs of MCH populations. VLC members will participate in an in-person tabletop exercise at the end of the program year where they will engage in a public health emergency scenario to assess plans, policies, and procedures utilizing knowledge and skills gained throughout the training series.