III.C.2.a. Process Description
III. C.2.a. Process Description
The FY 2020 Title V Needs Assessment is the comprehensive, statewide assessment of the current status and needs of the Maternal and Child Health population in Mississippi. As part of the 2020-2021 Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Needs Assessment, the Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Health Services entered into an agreement with the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health, Department of Health Care Organization and Policy to develop, analyze and report on data from Mississippi families. Individual, in-depth reports by domain will available through MSDH by the end of the year. MSDH utilized MCH staff and the MCH Needs Assessment Coordinator/Epidemiologist to coordinate all activities related to the MCH needs assessment.
All data collection instruments were designed through a joint effort between UAB and MSDH. MSDH was responsible for efforts related to marketing the needs assessment, recruitment of survey participants, identification of key informants and populations for focus groups, and provided final approval for all activities. UAB recruited participants for key informant interviews, facilitated the focus groups and key informant interviews, performed all analyses, and developed final reports. UAB entered into agreements with three community partner organizations to support the needs assessment: The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies, Mississippi Community Education Center, and the Family Resource Center of North Mississippi. These groups worked with UAB to raise awareness of surveys, recruit focus group participants, handle logistics, and provide locations to host focus groups.
Information compiled from national surveys (BRFSS, PRAMS, etc.), census data, vital statistics, and previous needs assessments were considered by MSDH as part of the FY2020 Needs Assessment. The data collected specifically captures the perception of mothers, providers, adolescents, children, children and youth with special health care needs and their families. Utilizing these sources of data together allows MSDH to consider the identified disparities and general findings across broad, cultural socioeconomic groups. These efforts informed MSDH focus to adjust and realign to compensate for shifting population and resource needs.
Tasks include:
- Convening a project team of staff who will implement the assessment.
- Identifying a leadership structure for the assessment.
- Developing a work plan and timeline.
- Utilizing Block Grant guidance to develop an overall approach to the assessment.
- Adopting guiding principles for the assessment.
- Researching framework to guide data collection efforts on social determinants of health.
- Working with University of Alabama (UAB) to design key quantitative data collection methods and identifying desired data products (indicator selection beyond the national performance measures is ongoing and iterative).
- Collaborating with UAB to collect new and existing data sets and reports related to the MCH population that we could leverage for assessment purposes.
The current Needs Assessment strategy includes an assessment across MCH populations to include qualitative data (e.g., original surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews) and quantitative data (e.g., national surveys, state surveys, and primary data collection). The methods used, and results obtained are summarized below.
Quantitative Data Collection Methods
- The Federally Available Data (FAD) Resource Document is made available by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau through the Title V Information System. It catalogues the National Performance Measures (NPMs) and National Outcome Measures (NOMs) for each Title V state and jurisdiction.
- Additional survey reports and internal data provided by MSDH.
Qualitative Data Collection Methods
In total, 1,239 stakeholders were engaged through multiple means of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
Focus Groups: Eleven focus groups were held with at least three groups in each public health region of the state. In total there were 75 participants. Each participant was compensated for their time with a $25 gift card. Childcare and snacks were provided at each focus group meeting.
Population groups engaged included:
- Women of child-bearing age
- Parents/caregivers of infants, children, and adolescents
- Adolescents/young adults
- Parents/caregivers of CYSHCN
- Spanish-speaking families
Key Informant Interviews
Twenty key informant interviews were conducted with representatives of local, state, public, and private groups that work with MCH population.
Surveys
Three surveys were disseminated across the state. Responses were received from 80 out of 82 counties in the State.
- General Maternal and Child Health Survey: This survey was disseminated online in English and Spanish. There were 577 respondents.
- Healthcare Provider Survey: This survey was disseminated online in English only. There were 104 respondents. Providers represented included those in: Primary and specialty medicine, dentistry, lactation consultation, psychology, midwifery, nursing, and social work.
- Adolescent Survey: This survey was disseminated online, in English only, and was available to youth and young adults between the ages of 13 and 25. There were 58 responses in that age range, though an additional 118 adults responded; those responses were analyzed with the general survey data.
- Families of CYSHCN Survey: This survey was disseminated in both online and paper formats in English and Spanish. There were 167 respondents. Paper surveys were distributed by the MS CSHCN program and partners. Responses were returned to MSDH and sent to UAB for entry and analysis.
- Youth with Special Health Care Needs Survey: This survey was disseminated in both online and paper formats, in English and Spanish, and was available to youth and young adults between the ages of 13 and 25. There were 62 responses. Paper surveys were distributed by the MS CSHCN program and partners. Responses were returned to MSDH and sent to UAB for entry and analysis.
The data described were collected specifically to capture the perceptions of consumers, families (including those with CYSHCN), teens/young adults, youth with special health care needs, and providers across the state to add to the knowledge base and to assist in identifying maternal and child health needs. Bringing this information together with the Federally Available Data (FAD) allows MSDH to consider the issues identified and the general findings across broad cultural and socioeconomic groups. All methods were based on previous instruments, past experience, best practice in instrument development and data collection, the MCH Block Grant/Needs Assessment guidance document, and areas of interest identified by an internal needs assessment leadership team at MSDH.
III. C.2.b. Findings
In line with the mixed-methods process outlined above, the findings below incorporate both quantitative and qualitative findings. These quantitative and qualitative data led to the development of the need statements that were presented to stakeholders and leadership to choose as the State’s priority needs for the coming 5-year cycle. Each of the following sections begins with an overview of the Federally Available Data (FAD) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau Title V Information System. Data presented include National Performance Measures and National Outcome Measures reported for Mississippi. Additional state-level data from surveys and reports supplement FAD for some domains. These data are used to set a baseline, quantitative picture of the State. Following the FAD chart in each specific domain are the needs statements identified from the assessment. Summaries of the major themes drawn from the qualitative data collection strategies are presented underneath each need.
Furthermore, in keeping with the processes’ guiding principle of promoting health equity and reducing disparities, several themes were noted across all domains.
- Indicator data show differences in outcomes based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, insurance status and type, and urban/rural location.
- Stakeholders expressed differences in access to services, treatment experiences, and perception of quality of care based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability status, insurance status and type, primary language, and geographic location.
- Health disparities not only affect groups facing inequities, but also limit overall improvements in quality of care and the health status for the broader population, resulting in unnecessary costs. All Mississippians benefit when we promote equity and reduce disparities through policies, practices, and organizational systems.
Women/Maternal Health:
*All stakeholder perceptions are listed in this report. They are listed in the full report that will be available after submission.
Table 1. Federally Available Data related to Maternal/Women’s Health
Maternal/Women’s Health Indicators |
Value |
How does Mississippi compare to the U.S.? |
How has Mississippi been doing? |
Well-woman visit |
61.6% |
Worse |
Mixed |
Low-risk cesarean delivery (first births) |
30.8% |
Worse |
Trending better |
Early elective delivery |
2.0% |
Same
|
Trending better |
Severe maternal mortality |
198.2 per 10,000 |
Worse |
Trending worse |
Pregnancy-related mortality |
22.1 per 100,000 |
Worse |
Trending worse |
Preventive dental visit – during pregnancy |
21.2% |
Worse |
NA |
Stakeholders Perceptions of Women/Maternal Health |
Discrimination, bias, and differences in quality of care based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, marital status, age, disability status, insurance status/type, primary language, sexual orientation, and weight.
|
Inequitable access to health resources based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and education.
|
Lack of or inadequate access to supports for health and wellness, including education; affordable and safe options for physical activity; and healthy foods.
|
Lack of or inadequate access to comprehensive, family-centered, and culturally-competent reproductive and well-woman health care and education, including for women with disabilities.
|
Lack of or inadequate access to comprehensive mental health services (prevention, crisis care, postpartum).
|
Lack of or inadequate substance abuse treatment (smoking, alcohol, and drugs) and prevention education, including detox, addiction, and rehabilitation/recovery services.
|
Inadequate or lack of comprehensive, affordable health and dental insurance.
|
High levels of maternal mortality.
|
|
Perinatal/Infant Health:
Table 2. Federally Available Data related to Perinatal/Infant Health.
Perinatal/Infant Health Indicators |
Value |
How does Mississippi compare to the U.S.? |
How has Mississippi been doing? |
Risk-appropriate perinatal care – very low birth weight babies born in hospitals with Level III+ NICU |
81.7% |
NA |
Trending better |
Safe sleep – infant placed on back |
56.9% |
Worse |
Trending slightly better |
Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) |
3.0 per 1,000 |
Better |
Trending worse |
SUID mortality |
152.9 per 100,000 |
Worse |
Mixed |
Infant mortality |
8.7 per 1,000 |
Worse |
Trending better |
Preterm birth |
13.6% |
Worse |
About the same |
Low birth weight |
11.6% |
Worse |
About the same |
Stakeholders Perceptions of Perinatal/Infant Health |
Discrimination, bias, and differences in quality of care based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, marital status, age, disability status, insurance status/type, primary language, sexual orientation, and weight.
|
Lack of or inadequate access to comprehensive reproductive health care.
|
Inequitable access to health resources (including delivery hospitals) based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and education.
|
Lack of supports for pregnant and parenting teens and young/new parents.
|
High levels of infant mortality (and associated factors of preterm birth and low birth weight).
|
High levels and worsening trends of sleep-related/SUID deaths.
Feel having baby in bed makes night-time feedings easier Other people in the family haven’t done all of these things Prefer a “family bed” or to have baby sleep in the bed with family
|
Lack of or inadequate access to breastfeeding supports.
|
Lack of or inadequate access to comprehensive mental health services (prevention, crisis care, postpartum).
|
Inadequate or lack of comprehensive, affordable health and dental insurance.
|
Lack of or inadequate substance abuse treatment (smoking, alcohol, and drugs) and prevention education, including detox, addiction, and rehabilitation/recovery services.
|
Child Health:
Table 3. Federally Available Data related to Child Health
Child Health Indicators |
Value |
How does Mississippi compare to the U.S.? |
How has Mississippi been doing? |
Developmental screening – child (9-35 months) |
18.6% |
Worse |
Trending slightly better |
Physical activity – child (6-11 years) (4-6 days per week) |
20.6% |
Worse |
Trending slightly better |
Preventive dental visit – child (6-11years) |
86.1% |
Worse |
About the same |
Household smoking – child (0-5) |
20.3% |
Worse |
Trending better |
Household smoking – child (6-11) |
21.0% |
Worse |
Trending better |
Child mortality |
29.9 per 100,000 |
Worse |
Trending better |
Stakeholders Perceptions of Child Health |
Lack of awareness of healthy nutrition guidelines and portion sizes
|
Lack of or inadequate access to mental health services that are comprehensive and age-appropriate
|
Lack of or inadequate access to affordable and safe options for physical activity
|
Lack of timely, appropriate, and consistent health and developmental screenings
|
Limited access to affordable oral health care and insurance
|
Lack of comprehensive, family-centered, and culturally-competent health care
|
Inequitable access to health resources based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and education
|
Lack of or inadequate smoking, alcohol, and substance use prevention education
|
Adolescent Health:
Table 4. Federally Available Data related to Adolescent Health
Adolescent Health Indicators |
Value |
How does Mississippi compare to the U.S.? |
How has Mississippi been doing? |
Physical activity (everyday) |
27.8% |
Worse |
Trending slightly worse |
Bullying (victimization) |
24.3% |
Worse |
Trending worse |
Adolescent well-visit |
77.0% |
Slightly worse |
Trending better |
Preventive dental visit – adolescent |
88.9% |
Better |
About the same |
Adolescent mortality |
48.4 per 100,000 |
Worse |
Trending better |
Stakeholders Perceptions of Adolescent Health |
Lack of or inadequate access to affordable and safe options for physical activity, exercise, and recreation
|
Inadequate and insufficient health and sexual health education
|
Lack of or inadequate access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including for adolescents with disabilities
|
Lack of or inadequate substance abuse treatment (smoking, alcohol, drugs) and prevention education
|
Lack of or inadequate access to mental health services that are comprehensive and age-appropriate
|
Lack of supports for pregnant and parenting teens
|
Inadequate or insufficient preparation, information, and resources to support transition to adulthood (life skills, job preparedness)
|
Limited access to adult role models and mentors
|
Inadequate or lack of comprehensive, affordable health and oral health care and insurance
|
Inequitable access to health resources based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and education
|
Discrimination, bias, and differences in quality of care based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, marital status, age, insurance status/type, sexual orientation, and gender identity
|
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN)
Table 5. Federally Available Data related to CYSHCN
CYSHCN Indicators |
Value |
How does Mississippi compare to the U.S.? |
How has Mississippi been doing? |
Medical home |
46.9% |
Better |
Trending better |
Transition** |
22.3% |
Slightly better |
Trending slightly worse |
Adequate insurance |
68.1% |
Better |
Trending slightly better |
Stakeholders Perceptions of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) |
Lack of or inadequate supports for transition to all aspects of adulthood
|
Inadequate insurance, including cost and benefit coverage issues
|
Lack of or inadequate access to health and related services, especially in rural areas and for services identified as difficult to obtain
|
Lack of or inadequate access to coordinated, comprehensive care
|
Lack of or inadequate support for family/caregiver wellbeing
|
Inadequate support for caregivers navigating the system of care
|
Lack of or inadequate access to CYSHCN-specific health education
|
Insufficient special education services
|
Youth with SHCN are not meeting guidelines for physical activity and nutrition
|
Lack of provider workforce that is knowledgeable about CYSHCN, especially in rural areas and for adult services
|
Lack of or inadequate accessibility and accommodation supports, including physical environment, interpreter services, and materials
|
Lack of or inadequate access to timely assessments and appropriate referral
|
The Needs Assessment Summary Report is listed in Appendix due to character limit restrictions.
II.C.2.b Findings
III.C.2.b.i MCH Population Health Status
Health Status of Mississippi’s MCH Population
Historically Mississippi has been ranked as the least healthy state in the nation. The state ranks poorly on several key MCH population indicators, including:
- Low birthweight (50th)
- Children in poverty (50th)
- Infant mortality (50th)
- Chlamydia Rates (48th)
- Cardiovascular Deaths (50th)
Despite the negative rankings Mississippi has managed to increase the high school graduation rate for African Americans and Hispanics. Mississippi has also managed to improve on immunization rates in 2019. Health inequities across MCH populations are prevalent and persistent within the state, particularly among the state’s lower-income and minority populations. During the Needs Assessment process, mental health, substance use, access to care/services, health equity, and family support emerged as cross-cutting issues that deserved the attention of Mississippi’s MCH program.
III.C.2.b.ii. Title V Program Capacity
III.C.2.b.ii.a. Organizational Structure
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is the autonomous, lead state entity that provides core public health functions and essential services. The Mississippi State Department of Health is governed by an 11-member Board appointed for staggered terms by the Governor. The Board appoints a State Health Officer (Dr. Thomas Dobbs, MD) to operate the Agency. Unlike other states with multiple public health departments, MSDH serves the entire state Title V MCH population.
Agency functions are divided between the Governor and the Legislature according to agency structure. While the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), Department of Mental Health (DOM), and Department of Human Services (DHS) are executive branch agencies, MSDH is an independent agency. Independent agencies are governed by boards and have Governor appointed board members who provide indirect influence. However, independent agencies must directly negotiate budgets and policy changes with the legislature. Because of the mix of executive and independent agencies, state agency heads do not function together as a cabinet, resulting in horizontal power bases within the state government structure.
Mississippi’s Title V MCH and CYSHCN programs are administered by MSDH, the state health agency. The MSDH Central Office is located in Jackson, MS (the state capital). Staff within the central office provide administrative leadership to Mississippi’s Title V MCH programs, set program policy and monitor compliance with state and federal laws and rules, and offer technical assistance to staff in regional and local/metro health department offices. Program staff provide programmatic monitoring of all MCH-related services. Various other program activities and MCH services are administered directly by MSDH staff in local or regional health departments. Other services are administered through contractual relationships with organizations throughout the state.
In addition to all MCH/Title V programs and services, MSDH has more than 150 program components that provide support for a broad range of services that include but are not limited to:
- restaurant inspections
- immunizations
- food and water safety testing
- licensing to ensure quality health care in hospitals and nursing homes;
- surveillance
- infectious disease investigations
- evaluation of health statistics
- analyzing and shaping public policy; and
- identify breast and cervical cancers in their early, more treatable stages
Through this comprehensive array of services and external partnerships, MSDH has the capacity to positively impact the health and well-being of women, infants and children across the state of Mississippi.
III.C.2.b.ii.b. Agency Capacity
Mississippi’s MCH program works to prioritize a statewide coordinated comprehensive system of care that reflects a family centered, data-informed, evidenced based, and community focused approach to care.
MSDH is the state agency responsible for administering the Title V Block Grant (TVBG). MSDH infrastructure includes three public health regions, each serving a particular geographical area. Each of Mississippi’s 82 counties are appropriated Block Grant funding to serve the MCH and CYSCHN
populations. Some MCH staff provide direct services to individuals and families; others provide regional and local training, information and referral to services, coordination of services for families, performance monitoring, and other capacity building activities. This structure allows MSDH to address the needs of children and families, especially those with moderate to low incomes, in a family-centered, community-based and coordinated manner that ensures access and availability of quality healthcare.
State and local MCH programs
The MCH/Title V and CYSHCN programs are located within the Office of Health Services at MSDH and report directly to the Health Services Director. Title V programs at MSDH focus on improving the health, well-being, functioning and quality of life for infants, children, adolescents, women of childbearing age and their families. Health Services consists of six branches:
- Child Health which includes Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)
- Women’s Infant and Children ( WIC)
- Comprehensive Reproductive Health (Family Planning)
- Office of Oral Health
- Office of Women’s Health
- MSDH Pharmacy
The Office of Health Services has two primary areas of focus: Health Maintenance and Health Promotion. Health Maintenance strives to improve healthcare services for women and infants, increase efficiency and utilization of available services, and enhance knowledge and skills of both consumers and providers of healthcare services. Health Promotion encourages achievement of optimal health and physical well-being while seeking to minimize risks for chronic disease and injuries. Together, the two areas provide a comprehensive approach to improving health outcomes.
MS MCH provides ongoing public health focus, capacity building, technical assistance, epidemiologic support and infrastructure-building activities across five domains. Although each branch concentrates on their respective stage of the life course, they coordinate, complement and build on adjacent life stages. Specifically, Title V services are prioritized and maintained through the following programmatic areas:
Women’s/Maternal Health- The MSDH Women’s Health Program provides high-quality comprehensive health services for low-income women, men, and adolescents. The program provides services through a statewide network of more than 102 healthcare facilities including local health departments, community health centers, and certain contracted agencies that provide contraceptives.
Child Health- The MSDH Child Health Program provides preventive health services for the more than 38,000 children born in MS each year and as they develop over the next 21 years. Components of the program are: CYSHCN, Early Intervention (First Steps), Lead Poisoning Prevention and Healthy Homes Program (LPPHHP), and Genetics/Newborn Screening. Additionally, direct healthcare, enabling, population-based, and infrastructure-building services are offered. Direct healthcare services consist of Preventive Screening (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment [EPSDT]) and intervention services; Enabling services consist of Cross Systems Care Coordination and Respite; Population-based services consist of Screening (Newborn, early hearing detection and intervention [EHDI], and lead), Birth Defect Surveillance, and Health Education; And infrastructure-building services consist of private-public partnerships, needs assessment, quality improvement, family engagement, and CoIINs, Collaboratives.
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN)- The MSDH Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs program provides family-centered care coordination services for children and youth with special health care needs from birth to 21 years of age. CYSHCN are defined as "those who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally. Local health departments provide care coordination for CYSHCN.
Perinatal/Infant Health-MSDH is committed to improving birth outcomes, including the rates of preterm birth, low birth-weight births, infant deaths and maternal deaths. Ensuring that each mother and infant receives the safest, risk-appropriate and evidence-based care is fundamental to improving birth outcomes in MS. Local health departments perform newborn screenings for infants; targeted case management for high-risk infants; and immunizations. The goal of these services is to use preventive measures to minimize the effects of disorders through early detection, provide timely medical diagnosis, and treatment.
MSDH administers safe sleep campaigns and breastfeeding is promoted through various programs. Peer counselors are available through partnerships with community entities to promote breastfeeding and WIC services. The PACIFY app has provided breast feeding support for mothers across the state.
Oral Health-The goal of the MSDH Oral Health Program is to create a Mississippi where every person enjoys optimal oral health; where prevention and health education are emphasized, and treatment is available, accessible, affordable, timely, and culturally competent. The MSDH employs Regional Oral Health Consultants (ROHCs) to help improve the oral health of all Mississippians by assisting local health departments in delivering age-appropriate oral health anticipatory guidance and preventive oral health services in each public health district.
Mississippi MCH is working to meet the requirement to serve blind and disabled individuals under age 16 receiving benefits under Title XVI, to the extent medical assistance for such services is not provided under Title XIX. The CYSHCN Director is working to establish a partnership with the MS Department of Rehabilitative Services to help link blind and disabled individuals to community-based care and support as a component to support the CYSHCN population.
III.C.2.b.ii.c. MCH Workforce Capacity
The Agency’s programs support the agency's mission by implementing goals and objectives that promote and protect the health of Mississippians and are designed to prevent disease, maintain health, and promote wellness for all ages. Title V funded MCH and CYSHCN staff work at multiple levels within MSDH: Central Office, the three public health Regions, and local health departments within the (82) counties. MCH/ Title V at MSDH has an estimated total of 212 Title V staff, 57 in Region 1, 54 in Region 2 and 23 in Region 3. The other remaining staff are located within our central office (78). There are several positions that are vacant and may remain vacant in FY 2020 due to certain agency restrictions.
A core leadership group, representing a multi-disciplinary approach, oversees MCH-related program areas that include: Perinatal and Infant Health, Developmental Screening, Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs, Reproductive and Women’s Health, and Child and Adolescent Health and Oral Health. Mississippi MCH currently has MCH Coordinators, MCH Nurses, Pediatric consultants, parent consultants, epidemiologists and various other positions.
MCH Leadership
Dr. Beryl Polk-Interim Director of Health Services
Beryl Polk, PhD, MS, CPM, CHP has served as the Director of Child and Adolescent Health which includes the Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program for the last 8 years. Beryl holds a PhD in Education with an emphasis on policy, program development, management and leadership. She has a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Jackson State University and is a Licensed Social Worker. Dr. Polk joined MSDH in 1999 and has over 28 years of public health and private sector experience in program planning, implementation, evaluation, management and leadership. Dr. Polk is a Certified Pubic Manager, Certified HIPAA Professional and a graduate of the South-Central Public Health Leadership Institute through Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
Johnson, Marilyn- Director, Title V/MCH
Marilyn Johnson (MBA) is the state Title V Director for Mississippi at the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Marilyn began her employment with MSDH in June of 2008. She has over 13 years of experience in public health with specific experience in the areas of policy and evaluation, grant writing, management, professional development, quality improvement, and maternal/child health. In addition to her role as state Title V Director, Marilyn also serves as the Director for the Title X/Family Planning Program.
Bilbro, Augusta-Director, CYSHCN Program
Augusta Bilbro joined MSDH in February 2005 and was appointed the Bureau Director for the CYSHCN Program in April 2018. She has over 10 years of experience in public health which includes program development, grant management, coalition building, conference planning and team leadership. Augusta attained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a Mississippi Rural Health Association Board Member and Fellow, serves on the Mississippi Council on Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board and Mississippi ABLE Outreach Task Force.
Stewart, Alyce: Director, Genetic Services
Alyce began her role as Bureau Director with the Mississippi State Department of Health in April 2016. In her previous role, she served as a public health consultant for the Mississippi Public Health Association (MPHA). She has over 10 years of public health/behavior health promotion and education experience with non-profit and federal government sectors. She has worked in several areas such as chronic disease prevention, immunization, tobacco and health policy with diverse populations. Alyce received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Tougaloo College, a Master’s and Doctorate in Public Health both from Jackson State University.
Russell, Christopher-Director of Adolescent Health
Christopher Russell began his role as Bureau Director of Adolescent Health in November 2018. He is a graduate of Jackson State University and holds a Master of Business Administration. Christopher has worked 10 years in Public Health with a focus on adolescent health. Underage drinking, impaired driving, HIV & STD, suicide, and substance abuse prevention/outreach are areas he has served in throughout his career.
Doris-Kelly, Sandra-Account Auditor
Sandra Doris-Kelly is an accountant auditor professional for the Office of Health Services. A major component of her work involves providing financial assistance to the various health services offices at MSDH. She received an MBA from Jackson State University and a BS degree in Accounting from Grambling State University.
Collier, Charlene-Perinatal Health Consultant
Charlene Collier, MD, MPH, MHS, FACOG has worked as a perinatal health consultant for the MSDH since March 2012, leading projects aimed at improving birth outcomes including the Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network to Reduce Infant Mortality and the Mississippi Perinatal Quality Collaborative. She is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UMMC and dedicates sixty percent of her time to public health work and research with MSDH. Dr. Collier earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from Brown University. She then received an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health and completed residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Yale. Following residency, she was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar at Yale where she earned a Master’s in Health Science.
Cannon-Smith, Gerri A., MD, MPH, FAAP-Pediatric Consultant
Dr. Cannon-Smith serves as Health Services Pediatric Consultant and has over twenty-five years experience as Clinician, PH practitioner, administrator, PH/Disparity scholar and public health faculty. Undergraduate studies were completed at Howard University. She received a Masters of Public Health at University of California, Berkeley, and graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical School. Pediatric training was completed at Howard University Hospital and Loma Linda University Children’s Medical Center. Currently, she is engaged in consultation, community participatory research, health advocacy, and is Obesity Coach for AAP Section on Obesity, AAP- MS Chapter Public Health Liaison and PROS Representative.
Stinson, Monica, MS, CHES-Bureau Director (Maternal Infant Health)
Monica Stinson has over 16 years of Public Health experience having worked in various areas such as tobacco prevention, chronic disease, asthma and maternal and child health. She currently serves as the Bureau Director for Maternal and Infant Health and the Mississippi Perinatal Quality Collaborative. She has extensive experience in program development, implementation and evaluation, community outreach and engagement, coalition building, grant and budget management and conference planning. Monica completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern Mississippi in Health Education and Administration. She received her master’s degree in Health Education from Mississippi University for Women. Monica is also a Certified Health Educator Specialist.
Kendria Barnes-Epidemiologist Title V/Title X Program
Kendria Barnes is an Epidemiologist and Program evaluator at Mississippi State Department of Health. Kendria began her employment with MSDH in 2016 and has 6 years of experience in Public Health in state and local government. In her current duties, she manages data and provides statistical support for Title V and Title X. She is a graduate of Tougaloo College and holds a Master of Science in Public Health from Meharry Medical College. Kendria also completed Region IV Public Health Leadership Institute through Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and is actively participating in CityMatch’s CityLeaders program.
Seale, Danielle-Director of Women's Health
Danielle Seale, MSW, LCSW, was appointed on July 2015 as the Director of Women's Health. Danielle began her employment with MSDH in June 2008 and has held positions as a Social Services Regional Director, Social Services Director and the Perinatal High-Risk Management/Infant Services Director. She is credentialed at the Licensed Certified Social Work level, received a bachelor degree from the University of Tennessee in psychology with a minor in child and family studies, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and completed the South Central Public Health Leadership Institute through Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
Zhang, Lei-Director of the Office of Health Data & Research
Lei Zhang, PhD, MBA, is the director of the Office of Health Data & Research and is the Principal Investigator for Mississippi BRFSS, PRAMS, Occupational Health Surveillance, and the State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI). He provides guidance on data collection and analysis within the agency . Dr. Zhang holds academic appointments at UMMC and Jackson State University. He received an MBA from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a PhD in Preventive Medicine from the University of Mississippi. Dr. Zhang is a Certified Public Manager.
Natasha Roberts-Parent Consultant (CYSHCN Program)
Natasha Roberts, Parent Consultant, and certified respite trainer serves as a parent representative on Parent Engagement and CYSHCN Advisory Committee meetings, conferences, and trainings; empowers Children and Youths with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) parents to become better advocates/decision makers for their child(ren)’s health, education, and overall well-being; follows up with CYSHCN families on approved intakes to provide parent to parent support and confirm access or utilization of resources provided by regional Care Coordinators; and conducts community engagement activities to equip families who have a child or youth with a special health care need with strategies to locate resources, providers, and specialist.
Charity Moody Willis-Epidemiologist Consultant/Title V Needs Assessment Coordinator
Charity Moody Willis, MPH, is the Epidemiologist Consultant/Needs Assessment Coordinator for the Mississippi State Department of Health Title V MCH Program. Charity holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree and Master’s in Public Health degree with an emphasis in Epidemiology from thee Jackson State University. Mrs. Moody Willis began her career at MSDH in June 2019 after completing her student internship in April 2019 at MSDH.
MS MCH Workforce Projected Shifts and Challenges
MS MCH will face significant challenges within the MCH workforce in the next five years. Shrinking state and federal budget resources, high turnover within the MS MCH Workforce, hiring freezes and increasing number of seasoned Title V staff leaving the workforce. MSDH has struggled, like most public health agencies, to attract and retain public health staff due to administrative and bureaucratic obstacles, lack of lack of competitive salary structures, and limited career advancement opportunities. In addition, MS MCH has struggled to recruit and retain program staff that are racially and ethnically diverse.
*Updated organizational charts for MSDH and Health Services are included in the supporting documents section as well as a detailed listing of MCH Leadership and Program Capacity.
III.C.2.b.iii. Title V Program Partnerships, Collaboration, and Coordination
Initiatives for partnerships with governmental agencies and nongovernmental agencies continue to flourish in Mississippi. MS MCH has long-standing relationships with numerous public and private organizations and service providers to carry out the scope of work within the MCH Block Grant. The Mississippi Title V Program will continue to serve a s a convener, assuring that the goals for the Title V Program are aligned with the other projects serving this population, including the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, Healthy Start, the State Health Improvement Plan, Medicaid managed care organizations, and Evidence‐ Based Home Visiting Programs.
Continued collaboration with key stakeholders is essential to Mississippi achieving its priorities for the Maternal and Child Health Services populations. The Mississippi Title V Program also works closely with the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS), The Division of Medicaid and MS Department of Education (DOE).
Mississippi’ Title V Program further diversifies its partnerships through grant-funded activities that align with the chosen priorities. Funded entities include, but are not limited to:
- School-based health centers
- Mississippi Perinatal Quality Collaborative
- State universities
- Community organizations
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
Regarding the Needs Assessment, collaborations are developed through strong networking and solicitation of nontraditional partners.
Other federal investments:
MS MCH receives other federal investments through PRAMS and Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, Lead Program, SSDI, and Genetics. MCH also partners with Preventive Block Grant, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.
The Adolescent Health program partners with the Office of Preventive Health’s Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) to promote positive youth development to prevent or reduce negative health outcomes. The PREP Program is funded through the Family and Youth Services Bureau, DHHS, in which the overall goal of the program is to reduce adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Mississippi PREP envisions all Mississippi youth to have access to evidence-based, medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education programs and resources, empowering
adolescents to make safer reproductive health choices. Mississippi PREP carries out this vision by working with school districts, community-based organizations, and youth detention centers in counties that are in the most need of evidence-based sex education programs.
A more extensive discussion of MCH partnerships and collaborations is contained throughout the narrative. A list of partners is included in the appendix.
III.C.2.c. Identifying Priority Needs and Linking to Performance Measures
- Women/Maternal Health: High levels of maternal mortality- NPM 1, NPM 4
- Perinatal/Infant Health: High levels of infant mortality (and associated factors of preterm birth and low birth weight)-NPM 5
- Child Health: Lack of comprehensive, family-centered and culturally competent healthcare & Lack of timely appropriate, and consistent health and developmental screening-NPM 6, NPM 13, NPM 15
- Adolescent Health: Inadequate or insufficient preparation, information, and resources to support transition to adulthood (life skills, job preparedness)-NPM 10
- Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHCN): Lack of or inadequate access to coordinated, comprehensive care-NPM 12, NPM 11
Mississippi has chosen the following preliminary NPM’s as a result of Needs Assessment Data:
***Due to the timing of our Needs Assessment and COVID-19 we were unable to select SPM’s and the above list of NPM’s will be revised after the MCH Block Grant submission. Final NPM’s and SPM’s and SPN’s will be selected after the MCH Block Grant Review.
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