III.F. Public Input

MSDH solicits public input from the agency's MCH Block Grant webpage to maximize the opportunity for residents and community leaders to make comments and discuss concerns. Suggestion boxes are located on the webpage, requesting input in the form of ideas, comments, or concerns.

Public Comments Response

The public comments are reviewed by the MCH/Title V Director, MCH/Title V CYSHCN Director, and MCH/Title V Specialist. Based on these review adjustments are made the application/report as necessary.

Public Availability

After transmittal the application/report is posted on the MSDH website in final form for public review comment.

Mechanism for Ongoing Feedback

Mississippi looks to build its capacity around ongoing feedback. Due to lack of dedicated staff to ongoing feedback support. In the future MSDH plans to initiate stakeholder meetings at least twice per year to solicit ongoing feedback.

Contact information for the MCH/Title V Director, MCH/Title V CYSHCN Director, and MCH/Title V Specialist will continue to be provided on the MSDH website, so that contact is available on an ongoing basis.

Links to the MSDH Facebook and Twitter accounts are located on the MSDH website; MCH inquiries received through social media are forwarded to MSDH Health Services. Feedback is used to inform MS's ongoing needs assessment as well as current program policy and objectives.

Input is solicited from agency partners throughout the year. MSDH Office of Health Services met with the MPHCA, DHA, UMMC, Healthy Start, and the PRAMS, March of Dimes Advisory Board, to receive input on the state's needs assessment and the MCH Block Grant. Public input also continues to be solicited through key parent and family support groups who are affiliated with programs funded by the grant.

In the near future MS MCH plans to develop a full TVBG communications strategy and steering committee. The communications strategy will allow the agency to align its current public input and program efforts. These efforts will allow MS MCH to develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan to increase the visibility, outreach and utilization of the MS MCH programs to grantees, MCH professionals and the broader community. The plan will also allow MS MCH to communicate performance measure and impact assessment findings. MS MCH also plan to utilize a feedback survey to assist with gaining valuable feedback about the MCH Block Grant.