The COVID-19 pandemic and weather-related events of increasing severity have highlighted numerous gaps related to how the maternal and child health (MCH) population are prioritized in emergency preparedness and response (EPR) activities and responses and how fragmented, siloed efforts to serve this population can lead to dangerous health and equity outcomes. As a result, it has become clear that MCH populations, including people of reproductive age, pregnant and birthing people, and infants and young children, must be prioritized in the development of emergency trainings, exercises, plans, and responses.
To support this effort, and with funding from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Reproductive Health, NACCHO is recruiting members for a new Virtual Learning Collaborative (VLC) to develop and train MCH and EPR professionals at local health departments (LHDs) on integrating MCH considerations into EPR planning. This VLC aims to increase the capacity of LHDs to prioritize the MCH population in preparedness plans and responses. In addition, NACCHO will work with the VLC to help address the gaps identified and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other all-hazards events through training, technical assistance, and materials to increase knowledge of MCH priorities among EPR personnel and train MCH personnel to engage in preparedness activities.
Membership: The VLC will comprise of staff from MCH and EPR departments. We are requesting one MCH and one EPR staff from each LHD to participate in the collaborative together to ensure a successful collaboration and equitable training efforts. Please complete one application per LHD. Thus, each application should have information for the MCH staff member and the EPR staff member. We encourage applications from LHDs that focus on health equity and serve historically underrepresented populations.
Time Commitment: Participation in this learning collaborative will include:
- Completion of a pre-assessment to identify areas for growth
- Mandatory attendance at a one-day preparedness exercise training at the 2022 NACCHO Preparedness Summit (expenses covered by NACCHO)
- Monthly all-participant calls
- Smaller group calls based on strategic priorities
- 1:1 check-in meeting as necessary
In addition, VLC members will have access to NACCHO’s virtual community, resources, and networks.
The Virtual Learning Collaborative will begin January 3, 2022, and go through July 31, 2022.
If you are interested in joining this Virtual Learning Collaborative, please complete this recruitment form by December 8, 2021.
For any questions or comments, please email Adele Appiah at aappiah@naccho.org.
