Women’s and Children’s
Health Policy Center
Cynthia Minkovitz, MD, MPP
September 2, 2015
[email protected]
www.jhsph.edu/wchpc
WCHPC Mission
“…..to draw upon the science base of the
university setting to conduct and disseminate
research to inform public policies and
programs, and the practice of maternal and
child health nationally.”
Brief History
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Founded 1991
Multiple funders- federal, foundations, and states
Linkages to GWU, UCLA, U Michigan, Penn State, Harvard…
Linkages to organizations
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Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP)
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
CityMatCH
National Conferences of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Nemours Health and Prevention Services (NHPS)
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
National Association of Community Health Centers
WCHPC Key Features
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National in scope
Long-term policy agendas & longitudinal
analysis
Application of findings, link to practice, & to
the practical
Address policy challenges at multiple levels &
across public and private arenas
WCHPC Conceptual Approach
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Develop analytic frameworks, methods & tools
to implement new approaches
Conduct evaluations of national demonstrations
Undertake translational activities – convene
symposia, produce policy resource & technical
briefs
Core Faculty
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Wendy Bennett, MD, MPH
Joann Bodurtha, MD, MPH
Pam Donohue, ScD
Michele Decker, ScD, MPH
Holly Grason, MA
Bernard Guyer, MD, MPH
Cynthia Minkovitz, MD, MPP
Anne Riley, PhD
Marjory Ruderman, MHS
Chris Smith, PhD
Barry Solomon, MD, MPH
Pam Surkan, PhD, ScD
Donna Strobino, PhD
Peter van Dyck, MD, MPH
What We Do, How We Do It
 Collaborate with states from inception to
implementation
 Engage federal/national stakeholders throughout
the process
 Build in benefits and rewards for academic, state,
and federal/national partners
 Devise and pursue companion activities to diffuse
and sustain the work in the field
Some Recent WCHPC Projects
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Early Childhood Health and Policy
 Investing in Kids; Foundations of Lifelong Health
 Meta Analysis of Early Childhood Health Interventions
 State Policies (Oral Health, Tobacco, Obesity) & Childhood Health
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Children and Youth with
Special Health Care
Needs
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Public Health Systems
and Survival of Children
with Sickle Cell Disease
Evaluation of
Maryland’s Integrated
Community Systems
Additional WCHPC Projects
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Women’s and Perinatal Health
 Women’s Health Curriculum in SPH
 Population Based Estimates of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
 Maternal Exposure to Environmental Toxicants
Public Health Systems and Workforce
 Workforce Survey
 Dyson Initiative National Evaluation
 MCH Leadership Training Program; MCH Epi Training Grant
 MCH Performance Measurement– training and evaluation
Strengthen the Evidence
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To provide support and resources to assist State
Title V MCH programs in incorporating
available scientific evidence in MCH
programming
Convene national team of MCH experts
 Conduct in depth evidence reviews
 Provide TA to State Title V programs
 Conduct “Communities of Practice”
 Host MCH Digital Library
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Training Modules:
Leadership Development
6 Modules
Case Studies
Interviews
Resources
Training Modules:
Translating Research For Policy and Practice
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Translational Writing
Writing Policy Briefs
Writing Briefing Memos
Video lecture: The Art and
Craft of Policy Briefs
Transforming a Not So
Good Policy Brief
3 Exercises
Policy Brief Checklist
Resources
WCHPC Interface with Students
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Join funded projects
Explore quantitative & qualitative data sets
Develop background literature reviews, author
MCH policy research briefs
Participate in data collection efforts
Complete special studies, internships, or
employment
Selected Policy Briefs
WCHPC and Baltimore City
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Participate on boards of community organizations
Advocates for Children and Youth
 Baltimore City Healthy Start, Inc.
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Contribute to ongoing city-wide initiatives
Strategies to Improve Birth Outcomes
 Better Babies Leadership Action Program
 East Baltimore Development Initiative
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Engage in collaborative research
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NICHD Community Child Health Network
Current Student Research
Assistant Opportunities
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MCH training grant has funds for students to work on
community initiatives, 1st and 2nd terms
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Low birth weight: Send CV to Donna Strobino at [email protected]
Gender based violence: Send CV to Michele Decker at
[email protected]
Teen pregnancy prevention: Send CV to Beth Marshall at
[email protected]
Research assistant, 1st term, with Drs. Kristin Mmari and
Cynthia Minkovitz assessing receipt of Medical Homes
among Maryland families with children with special health
care needs
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Send CV to Cynthia Minkovitz at [email protected]
More Student Opportunities
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Special studies - MCH, 1st term, focused on needs
assessment and genetics services delivery with hearing
loss, sickle cell disease, telehealth as examples. Conduct
literature review, compile resources, generate report. We
are exploring funding for the position; 5 -10 hours/week.
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Send CV to Joann Bodurtha at [email protected]
Research Assistant, 2nd Term, with the Strengthen the
Evidence Team, 2nd term+, conducting in depth evidence
reviews, enhancing website and communications; 8-10
hours/week
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Send CV to Stephanie Garci, [email protected]
Come and Learn More !
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www.jhsph.edu/wchpc
Student/Faculty Brown Bag Lunch TBA
Cynthia Minkovitz, [email protected]