This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program (formerly called MCH Pipeline Training Program).

The purpose of the LEAP Program is to promote the development

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of a diverse and representative public health and health care workforce by recruiting undergraduate students from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds into MCH public health and MCH-related health professions in order to improve levels of representation, reduce health disparities, and increase access to health care for vulnerable and underserved MCH populations, including those from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Few training programs currently focus on recruiting undergraduate students into MCH professions.

The LEAP Program’s unique focus on recruiting diverse undergraduate student cohorts fills a critical gap by building and maintaining a diversified workforce that is reflective of and prepared to address the distinct needs of MCH populations.

The specific objectives of the LEAP Program are to:
(1) Recruit and support undergraduate trainees from diverse, underserved, and/or underrepresented backgrounds to:
• Increase the number of undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds exposed to learning opportunities in MCH; • Promote development and interest in careers in MCH; and, • Increase their cultural responsiveness and skills in addressing health disparities in underserved communities.

(2) Foster development of interdisciplinary leadership and research skills training at the undergraduate level in MCH public health and MCH-related health professions in preparation for careers in MCH.

(3) Provide mentorship and internship opportunities to undergraduate students through preceptorships with MCH professionals, graduate students, and MCH/Title V organizations in preparation for graduate/post-graduate education/training in MCH.

(4) Increase access to MCH undergraduate education and training through innovative and alternative methods, such as telehealth, virtual instruction, or distance-learning modalities.