Developing Family Leaders through Competency Integration: The AMCHP Family Scholars Program

TBI Leadership MeetingMarch 22, 2012

Librada Estrada, MPH, CHES, CPCCAMCHP Associate Director, Workforce & Leadership

Development, Family Involvement

Learning Objectives:

• Describe different elements of a national family leadership development program.

• Identify lessons learned from the AMCHP FSP.

AMCHP

The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs is a national resource, partner, and advocate for state public health leaders and others working to improve the health of women, children, youth and families, including those with special health care needs.

AMCHP’s Strategic Plan

• Goal 3: State and territorial MCH programs will have a diverse and effective workforce with competent leaders at the national, state and local levels.– Strategy 3.2: Develop and implement a

family and youth leadership pathway with ongoing training and mentorship for family and youth leaders that defines family and youth roles in state and territorial MCH and programs.

AMCHP’s Strategic Plan

• Goal 4: AMCHP will be an effective and efficient organization and partner in support of state and territorial MCH programs.– Strategy 4.3: Increase member, family, and

youth participation in AMCHP planning, advocacy and programmatic activities including volunteer leadership opportunities within AMCHP.

Family Leadership within AMCHP

Family Board Representatives

Family Delegates

Family Youth & Leadership Committee

Family Involvement

within all committees

Family Scholars Program

AMCHP FSP: History

Attend AMCHP Annual ConferenceGain understanding of MCH issues Legislative visits on Capitol Hill

Family Scholars Assigned Family MentorParticipate in

conference preparation call

Participate in legislative visits advocacy

call

AMCHP FSP started in 1996209+ Scholars from States, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands

Program Objectives

• Increasing advocacy on behalf of Title V block grant.• Developing individual leadership skills. • Gain a greater understanding of Title V and how it

works in individual states or territories.• Increase involvement in Title V within their state or

territory in an advisory, voluntary or staff capacity.• Widen their network of family leaders, parent

professionals, MCH and CYSCHN professionals.• Receive mentoring from experienced family leaders

(Family Mentors).

Program Objectives

• Increase individual knowledge in MCH Leadership Competencies.

• Develop a relationship with elected officials at the local or state level.

• Increase individual understanding of AMCHP and its programs.

• Increase understanding of current and emerging issues impacting women, children and families at the national level.

AMCHP FSP: Present

• 12 month curriculum• Stretch assignments• On-going mentor relationship

MCH Leadership Competency

Focus

• Strengths Based Leadership Assessment

• Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Assessment

Individual Leadership

Development

• Presentations, Poster Sessions• Networking • Legislative Visits

Attend AMCHP Annual

Conference

FSP Application Process

• Competitive Process• Family Scholar Packet

–Application–Director form–Resume/Bio–Commitment form

Commitment

• Monthly 90 minute calls• Monthly stretch assignment (2+ hours/month)• Monthly mentor check-in• Quarterly mentor group check-in• Readings• Evaluations (monthly calls, stretch

assignments, etc.)

Family Leadership Development

Wider Community

Others

Monthly Topics

July 2011 through April 2012• Mentor Orientation• Program Orientation • Title V and the Role of Families• Family & Professional Partnerships• Strengths based leadership

Monthly Topics

July 2011 through April 2012• Writing Your Story• Policy vs. Advocacy• Life Course Perspective• Preparing for the Annual Conference• Life after the Conference• Conflict Negotiation

MCH Leadership Competencies

I. Self • 1. MCH Knowledge Base • 2. Self-reflection• 3. Ethics and Professionalism • 4. Critical Thinking

II. Others• 5. Communication • 6. Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

MCH Leadership Competencies

II. Others• 7. Cultural Competency • 8. Family-Centered Care • 9. Developing Others through

Teaching & Mentoring • 10. Interdisciplinary Team

III. Wider Community • 11. Working with Communities and

Systems• 12. Policy and Advocacy

FSP Impact

• MCH Knowledge Base – terms and language; promising practices

• Critical Thinking – opportunity to identify strengths and hone skills

• Family Centered Care – Take-home tools to use w/families (exchange of ideas/resources)

• Policy and Advocacy – connecting with AMCHP to obtain policy information; balancing parent role and Government work; learning about emerging national MCH issues (life course perspective)

• Mentoring on family leadership dev. • It takes time.• The appropriate level of family

leadership.• Varying levels of leadership development.• Advocacy development is on-going. • Balancing family reality with program

requirements.

Programmatic Lessons Learned

• State variation on family involvement. • Educating Title V AND program

participants.• Participant suggestions are invaluable.• Supporting the Scholars and Mentors. • Accountability is key. • Preparing for involvement at conference.

Programmatic Lessons Learned

• FSP is a stepping stone. • Future leadership development. • Developing national family leader pool. • “Don’t let the perfect get in the way of

the good.”

Programmatic Lessons Learned

Questions????

For More Information

Visit the AMCHP website: www.amchp.org

Contact

Librada Estrada

202-266-3046

lestrada@amchp.org

Michelle Jarvis, FSP Program Manager

202-775-1472

mjarvis@amchp.org