As an MCAH LEAP Scholar, I had the privilege of participating in the National MCH Workforce Development Center's Title V Summer 2024 Internship Program, where I was placed with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's (KDHE) Bureau of Family Health. This opportunity allowed me to spearhead KDHE’s Title V Fatherhood/Non-Birthing Partner Needs Assessment and address a critical gap in maternal and child health: the exclusion of fathers and gender-expansive non-birthing partners from MCH state action plans and entities that provide guidance for MCH priority areas.
Our project employed a multi-method data collection approach to foster meaningful community engagement and build a stronger understanding of non-birthing partners' needs. We developed a publicly accessible resource inventory of 23 non-birthing partner-serving organizations in Kansas, conducted key informant interviews with organization representatives, and facilitated focus groups with fathers and non-birthing partners. These interviews were designed to honor the lived experiences of individuals seeking better support in navigating parenthood as non-birthing parents, and their responses provided critical insights into the unique challenges, including financial constraints, underrepresentation in existing MCAH services, and a lack of support for non-English speakers.
Our collaboration with local organizations revealed a shared commitment to reducing barriers for underserved fathers and non-birthing partners, particularly those identifying as Black/African American and Latinx/Hispanic. By intentionally engaging with these groups, we established a foundation for equitable inclusion in the 2025 Kansas Title V state action plan, and our findings will be used to inform cross-cutting priorities and enhance resource allocation. I am excited to present our work at the upcoming Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) conference in Washington D.C. this March, where my co-intern and I will lead a workshop for MCAH professionals on incorporating qualitative data from excluded MCH subgroups into state action plans. During the workshop, we will offer strategies and resources to address gaps in equitable representation of MCAH populations within data-driven plans. These opportunities have shaped my long-term goal of working at a state health department to advance equity in public health programs and policies while fostering inclusive, community-driven solutions for MCAH.
Maternal and Child Health Leadership Competencies:
5. Communication
7. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
8. Honoring Lived Experience