A baby is held up against the blue sky. A baby is held up against the blue sky.

Maternal and Child Health Program

 

Founded in 2015, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Program seeks to strengthen the capacity of emerging public health professionals to support MCH populations. The program provides a wide range of academic and professional development opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community partners. We offer MCH-related courses, fund student practica and internships, host brown bag seminars and networking events, and support students and faculty participation in MCH conferences locally and nationally.

What is Maternal and Child Health?

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is a specialty area within the larger field of public health that focuses on the health and well-being of women, children, adolescents, fathers, and families, with special concern for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. MCH seeks to address a wide range of health issues and outcomes across the life course. It encompasses public health strategies at all levels, from direct services to community-based programs, policy initiatives, and systems of care. MCH is grounded in core principles of health equity, cultural competency, evidence-based practice, and family-professional partnerships.

 

How to Get Involved with the MCH Program

  • Take a MCH elective course
  • Enroll in our 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health
  • Sign up for our Student & Alumni MCH emails
  • Apply for a GA position with our program
  • Join the MCH Student Advisory Committee
  • Participate in MCH Professional Development activities: monthly seminars, networking events, field trips, service projects, & more
  • Complete a MCH related internship - including those funded through our program
  • Apply for funding to attend a MCH conference

Email [email protected] to subscribe to MCH Program emails and to learn more about these opportunities.

MCH Program Highlights

  • Secured $1.65 million in funding for the program from federal, state, and community partners. This includes a second five-year commitment (2020-2025) from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
  • Developed and launched a new Graduate Certificate in MCH in January 2020.
  • Provided foundational “Introduction to MCH” coursework to over 130 graduate students and nearly 40 undergraduate students.
  • Secured 34 MCH-related student internship and practicum opportunities in community settings, and another 37 at the New York State Department of Health.
  • Regularly hosts MCH-related Brown Bag seminars, networking events, and other professional development events for current students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
  • Awarded travel scholarships to more than 20 students and faculty to attend national, state, and local MCH-related conferences.
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Maternal and Child Health Program
Rachel de Long and Christine Bozlak, Program Co-Directors

1 University Place
Rensselaer, NY 12144
United States

Email
[email protected]