The Alabama Title V MCH Block Grant Program is administered by the ADPH, through FHS. FHS does not directly administer aspects focusing on CYSHCN but contracts with CRS. CRS is a major division of ADRS, which administers services to this population.

Discussion of how FHS and CRS invite public input follows.

ADPH

FHS maintains a Title V MCH webpage (a part of ADPH's main website) and it may be accessed at www.alabamapublichealth.gov/mch. The MCH webpage informs the public about the Federal-State Title V partnership. The SSDI coordinator will continue to update the state Title V MCH website to link to the latest MCH Block Grant Annual Report/Application and to post any associated attachments. Also, the “contact us” page on this site provides a mechanism for the public to email comments directly to the MCH Title V program. The public can email comments directly to other FHS programs using their individual web pages on the ADPH site as well. Additionally, ADPH utilizes several sources of social media which are open to public comment. Well Woman takes advantage of the benefits of social media by hosting a Facebook page and permitting its social workers to post county program information. The Well Woman Facebook page facilitates open and public communication directly between the district Well Woman staff, partners, and program participants.

FHS seeks input on MCH issues through three key avenues:  collaboration with SPAC, the five RPACs, and MMRC.

Furthermore, as part of the 2020 MCH Needs Assessment, FHS sought public input via the following initiatives: three web-based surveys (survey of families; survey of adolescents; and survey of healthcare providers serving women of childbearing age, children, youth, and their families), 17 focus groups, 22 key informant interviews, and a state advisory group meeting convened to select priority needs for the MCH needs assessment. Requests for copies of the 2020 Title V MCH Block Grant Comprehensive Needs Assessment can be sent through the Title V MCH webpage.

FHS seeks input by convening several state advisory groups that have consumer representation for persons affected by particular health issues. These groups respectively advise FHS on the following programs: NBS and FP. The NBS advisory group advises the bureau on both screening for hematological and biochemical disorders and on screening for hearing impairment.

The Family Planning Advisory Committee (FPAC) meets quarterly in conjunction with the OWH quarterly meetings. FPAC members broadly represent their various communities across the state and are knowledgeable of the family planning service needs in their area. A consumer of the program is also a member. The purpose of the committee is to provide feedback regarding the development, implementation, and evaluation of the FP program, as well as to review and approve any educational or informational material used in the program. This committee ensures that the family planning needs of the various communities are being met and that all educational and informational materials are suitable for the population and community for which they are intended.

FHS advisory groups serve as channels for public input on resource and policy development for their respective programs. For example, Newborn Screening Advisory Committee recommended criteria for the provision and distribution of metabolic foods and formula to infants and adults with PKU in FY 2008, as well as a standardized protocol for newborn-screening blood collection from infants in the neonatal intensive care nursery in FY 2009. Both recommendations were implemented.

The FHS Cancer Prevention and Control Division obtains public input through the Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition. The Coalition meets quarterly to share resources and ideas and develop interventions that will reduce the burden of cancer in Alabama. The Coalition’s goal is to implement the goals and objectives in the 5-Year Alabama Cancer Control Plan. The newest 5-year plan (2022-2026) was released in June 2022. The Coalition includes representatives from stakeholders including community organizations, advocates, cancer survivors, universities, hospitals, cancer centers, public health professionals, and private companies.

The Alabama WIC Program is federally funded by the USDA. Per federal regulations, all WIC agencies must post for public comment its annual State Plan and Procedure Manual. Receipt of federal funds is contingent upon completing this process.

CRS

As part of the FY 2019 – 2020 MCH needs assessment, CRS sought public input via the following initiatives:  two web-based surveys (families and youth), five focus groups, 17 key informant interviews, and convening the CRS Needs Assessment Advisory Committee. Input from the CRS Needs Assessment Advisory Committee which consists of key partners and stakeholders was sought during an initial planning meeting and via the April 2020 online prioritization process. The online process allowed Advisory Committee members to enter detailed comments which CRS Needs Assessment Leadership Team took into consideration when selecting the priority needs. The CRS 2020 Title V MCH Block Grant Comprehensive Needs Assessment Summary can be accessed from the ADRS website at https://rehab.alabama.gov/news/blog.

CRS values public input from individuals with lived experience and seeks input from families and youth on an ongoing basis through the SPAC, LPACs, and YAC. These advisory groups allow stakeholders to provide input regarding policy development and program activities. Families and youth are compensated for participation in state advisory committees and childcare is provided to reduce barriers to participation. CRS assures cultural and linguistic competence and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act at all meetings. In addition, the SPC, LPCs, and YCs provide input into CRS special projects such as serving on the National MCH Workforce Development Center Population Health Learning Journey team.

CRS also holds an annual Hemophilia Advisory Committee meeting to seek input into programmatic and policy issues related to the Alabama Hemophilia Program administered by CRS. The committee consists of representatives interested in hemophilia from hospitals, voluntary agencies, medical specialists, adult hemophiliacs, and parents of hemophiliacs as well as the general public.

The ADRS Office of Communications & Information maintains the Department’s website which includes CRS’ webpage (www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/crs). The ADRS-Today feature of the ADRS website allows CRS to seek public comment through News Releases, a Media Gallery, and the ADRS blog. The CRS webpage provides a “contact us” feature for the public to email comments directly to CRS or call a 1-800 number for direct contact. CRS utilizes several sources of social media, which are always open to public comment. Both the SPC and YC utilize social media to foster communication among the general public, CRS staff, partners, and program participants through the Parent Connection and Youth Connection Facebook pages.