MCH Workforce Development

Assessing the Workforce Capacity of the FSM MCH Program, in 2022, there are 23 full-time staff in the four FSM States funded by the Title V Program. Out of the total 23 employees, nine are in Chuuk state; three in Kosrae state; four in Pohnpei state; and seven in Yap state. Of the nine MCH staff in Chuuk state, three are staff nurses, two coordinators, two health assistants, one health educator, and one dental assistant. Out of the total three employees in Kosrae state there is one coordinator, one staff nurse, and one dental nurse. Of the total four staff in Pohnpei state, there is one coordinator, one dental nurse, one staff nurse, and one lab technician. Of the total seven staff in Yap state, there are two coordinators, two staff nurses, two dental nurses and one dental technician. In addition, there are four data specialists funded by the SSDI Program that play integral role in the Title V Program, who work in each State’s Vital Statistics and Record Division. These staff constitute the MCH Programs in each of the State Public Health Depts and they directly provide all of the preventive and primary health care services at no cost to clients.

The four MCH Coordinators, at state level, are responsible for assuring that clinical services are provided to pregnant women, infants, children, and CSHCN. All four MCH Coordinators are Registered Nurses. In addition, each of the States provides in its own budget a medical doctor for the MCH Program. Together they are responsible for assuring that clinical services are provided.

At the National level, one MCH Program Coordinator staff is paid by the MCH program. The National Family Planning Program Coordinator, data manager and financial specialist, although paid for by a different program, also assist the National MCH Program Coordinator in the planning, developing, implementing, and monitoring of MCH program services and activities at the national and state levels on a daily basis. These staff constitute the core staff at the national level and the National MCH Program Coordinator reports directly to the Secretary of H&SA.

The following are brief biographies of senior level national and state management and key staff who manage and oversee the FSM MCH Program and services on a daily basis. These senior and key staff directly provide all of the preventive and primary health care services at no cost to clients. They are also involved in the management and operation of the Title V needs assessment and application processes every five years and annually, thereafter.

Program Manager, Family Health Services Unit, Division of Health Services, FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs: Mr. Dionisio E. Saimon holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from the State University of New York, College at Brockport.  Aside from his experience in the MCH Program, Mr. Saimon has experience working with the Department of Education and local governments in Pohnpei State, FSM. Mr. Saimon has been involved in numerous Needs Assessment Activities for both the Title X Family Planning Program and Title V MCH Program in the FSM. Mr. Saimon continues to provide guidance and input to all programs within the Family Health Services Unit at both the national and state levels The Program Manager position is funded at 1.0 FTE through Title V Block Grant funds.

System and Data Manager, Family Health Services Unit, Division of Health Services, FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs: Ms. Arlynn Linny holds a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from the International Theological Seminary in Los Angeles, California. Aside from her experience in the MCH Program, she has over 10 years of experience working with the FSM Behavioral Health Program where she has conducted numerous populations surveys, such as the Mental Health Survey, Substance Abuse Survey and the BRFSS Survey throughout the four states in the FSM. Ms. Arlynn Linny manages FSM-HER, a web-based data collection and reporting system for the FSM EHDI Program. She also developed an EPI Info registry for the Title X Family Planning and Title V MCH Program. In her capacity as data manager, Ms. Arlynn Linny provides epidemiological support to the Title V MCH Program and assists in reviewing and making recommendations for data collection, quality improvement, and data analysis.

Title X Family Planning Program Coordinator: Mr. Stanley S. Mickey holds a Diploma from Seventh Day Adventist High School in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Aside from his experience in the MCH Program, Mr. Mickey has experience working in the Community Health Centers, managing and coordinating youth organizations as Youth Council President and Implementing Faith Based Organization activities as an Advisor. Mr. Mickey has been involved in numerous Needs Assessment Activities for both the Title X Family Planning Program and Title V MCH Program in the FSM.

Financial Management Specialist, Family Health Services Unit, Division of Health Services, FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs: Ms. Vicky Nimea graduated from Park College, in Kansas City, Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration in 1993.  In addition to overseeing program budgeting and monitoring expenditures, Ms. Nimea participates in program monitoring and outreach activities provided by the Title X Family Planning and MCH Title V Programs. She also provides assistance with community awareness and educational materials that are used to inform the community regarding important initiatives or projects.

MCH Program Coordinator, State of Chuuk: Ms. Pipiana Wichep is a Nurse by profession graduated from the Nursing School in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Island. Aside from MCH work, Ms. Wichep does administrative and clinical work. Miss Wichep is a certified HIV/AIDS/STD Counselor, Reproductive Health Trainers/health educators, and a certified Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) Trainer.

MCH Program Coordinator, State of Pohnpei: Vacant. However, Pohnpei State advertised the vacancy and a short list of eligible applicants was submitted to the department of health for final processing. Two applicants were interviewed on July 12, 2022 and we are expecting that a decision will be made soon and a Coordinator will be on board by August, this year.

MCH Program Coordinator, State of Kosrae: Ms. Patricia Tilfas is a Nurse by profession graduated from the Nursing School in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Aside from MCH work, she is actively involved with the women groups, faith-based groups and other community-based organizations. She works with these NGOs providing screening services and awareness activities. She develops good working relationships with the women groups in the communities to assist with the breastfeeding campaign and youth groups initiative to preventing teen pregnancy and STI’s. Ms. Tilfas also works with the faith-based organizations to raised awareness on important matters relating to mothers and adolescents. She also participated in the Kosrae youth summer camps and retreats and participated in all community events such as the liberation day event and sports events.

MCH Program Coordinator, State of Yap: Vacant. To date we have not heard nor being informed whether the vacant position has been advertised. What we heard from the chief of Primary Health Care, in Yap State, was that she continues to discuss with the terminated MCH Coordinator to re-apply. No updated information have been received to date.

The FSM MCH Program invites parents of CSHCNs to workshops and conferences in the FSM where they present their experiences and expectations as consumers of the MCH Program services. They also attend US conferences depending upon availability of funds.

Training and education of the MCH staff are carried out at three levels: Individual on-site consultation provided twice a year for the Coordinators in the four states on developing policy and procedures, program implementation, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, and improving data capacity; The FSM Annual MCH Workshop held each year bringing together the MCH Coordinators, the MCH Data Clerks, the CSHCN Coordinators, hospital and public health administrators, physicians, nurses, and stakeholders from the National Government and State Health Depts where issues are discussed related to improving services and state data capacity and early intervention services for CSHCN; and Special conferences and other educational opportunities provided to staff who attended in-person or on-line courses from the Fiji School of Medicine, PACRIM Conference in Honolulu, Pacific Basin Medical Association Conferences, and American Pacific Nurses Leadership Conference.

The FSM is composed of four different societies with 13 different major languages. English, however, is the official language of the governments and is taught in the schools. The MCH Program takes serious consideration for the need of a workforce that is competent and culturally sensitive in providing services including awareness, education and counseling and materials development.