PUBLIC INPUT

 The American Samoa MCH Title V engaged in an array of stakeholders, including parents and consumers, prior to and during the Title V application process. This year, ASMCH completed a statewide five-year needs assessment to identify strategic issues and priority needs to drive and create the 2021-2025 state action plan as required by HRSA Title V. When determining the process to be used, the Needs Assessment Planning Committee prioritized the need to engage a diverse group of stakeholders to assess both needs and system strengths and capacity. As a result, the needs assessment workgroups (which reflected the six original population health domains) included state and local MCH staff, state and local MCH system partners, parent consultants, consumers, and partners with expertise in health equity. Their input and experience directly shaped the issues and priority needs considered and included in American Samoa’s five-year application.

Public input was initiated through a stakeholder meeting in October 2019 and advisory board meetings conducted throughout 2020.  On August 19th – 20th, an MCH stakeholders meeting was called for MCH partners to view priorities and measures in place for Title V. Twenty partners participated in this two-day meeting (5 hours each). Heath Needs for each of the population domain were identified during these two days. The MCH Core Workgroup completed the State Action Plan based on these priority needs. Individual partners were then called to follow-up and provide feedback on the Action Plan prior to grant submission. MCH Partners who actively participated in face-to-face key-informant interviews, virtual focus groups, onsite meetings for health needs prioritization and community input are listed below:

A Public Notice was also posted on the ASDOH and ASMCH Facebook pages to also acquire general public feedback on the grant application. It reached 353 community members. Only 1 of them emailed to ask questions and provide feedback.

A brief summary of the Title V FY 2021 application and State Action Plan was sent out via email to approximately 40 advisory group members, nonprofit partners, advocacy groups, other state programs, parents and consumers. Public input was reviewed and shared with the Title V steering committee for feedback and consideration prior to submission. Approximately one third of partners listed above had responded with their feedback via telephone calls, emails and face-to-face verbal conversations. Because of maximum participation at the last face-to-face Stakeholders’ meeting and had participated in formulating the action plan, all agreed on the final product.

After the application is submitted, ASMCH will continue to work with entities representing advocates, advisory bodies, providers and consumers to receive input on the programs, policies, reports and plans included in the Title V application. For example, the Children's Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Division routinely works with the Parent Network for children with special needs, Helping Hands Early Intervention and SPED. All these partners provide information and support to families and input on CSHCN program operations. By receiving ongoing feedback and recommendations will refine current policies and SOPs and promotes awareness to assure that services reflect the voices of individuals with special health care needs and their families.