Building the MCH Public Health Workforce of the Future: A Call to Action from the MCHB Strategic Plan

Abstract

Abstract Introduction In 2021, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) released a new strategic plan to guide its work over the next 10–15 years. The plan highlights four goals—access, equity, workforce capacity, and impact—that are essential to achieving MCHB’s vision. Methods We present 13 recommendations to highlight opportunities for ongoing and new activities aligned with Goal 3 of the plan—“Strengthen Public Health Capacity and Workforce for MCH.” Results Recommendations 1–3 highlight the need to support pathways into state and local MCH public health (PH) positions, to offer accessible and high-quality training for the practicing workforce, and to build capacity to address health and social inequities. Recommendations 4–7 discuss the need to build a racially and ethnically diverse workforce, ensure equity and anti-racism are foundational concepts in training, and strengthen engagement of community members and those with lived experience as part of the MCH PH workforce. Recommendations 8–10 outline opportunities to enhance MCH workforce data and measurement frameworks, and support practice-based research. Recommendations 11–12 discuss the importance of academic-practice partnerships and the need to spur innovation. Recommendation 13 highlights the need to define and amplify the unique skillset of the MCH PH workforce. Conclusions The release of the MCHB strategic plan comes at a time of critical need to build and sustain a MCH PH workforce to achieve equity for MCH populations. We encourage the field to engage in dialogue around the recommendations presented in this paper, and to offer additional actions to build and support the MCH PH workforce.