Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due July 08, 2026

Maternal and Child Health Bureau Division of MCH Workforce Development

MCH Workforce Development and Training Center Opportunity number: HRSA-26-041

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4 Basic Information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Award information 15

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18 Get registered 19

Find the application package 20

Application writing help 20

Step 3: Build Your Application 21 Application checklist 22

Application contents and format 24

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award 37 Application review 38

Selection Process 44

Award notices 44

Step 5: Submit Your Application 45 Application submission and deadlines 46

Other submissions 46

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 47 Post-award requirements and administration 48

Reporting 50

Contacts and Support 51

Endnotes 54

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by the application due date Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 08, 2026.

All activities proposed in your application and budget narrative must align with applicable law, including but not limited to statutes, executive orders, federal regulations and applicable judicial holdings. Accordingly, discretionary awards shall not be used to fund, promote, encourage, subsidize, or facilitate: racial preferences or other forms of racial discrimination by the recipient, including activities where race or intentional proxies for race will be used as a selection criterion for employment or program participation; denial by the recipient of the sex binary in humans, or the belief that sex is a chosen or mutable characteristic; illegal immigration; or any other initiatives that compromise public safety. If an application does not align, the application will not receive funding to the extent permitted by law and applicable court orders.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic Information 5

Eligibility 6

Program description 8

Award information 15

Basic Information Health Resources Services Administration

Maternal and Child Health Bureau

Division of MCH Workforce Development

Strengthening the maternal and child health workforce to improve outcomes for women, children, and families.

Summary The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Workforce Development and Training Center provides robust training and resources to strengthen the MCH public health workforce.

It aims to improve the health of women, children, and families by supporting the workforce’s ability to implement federally and state-funded programs, including the Title V program.

Funding details Application Types: New

Expected total available funding in FY 2026: $1,970,000

Expected total number and type of awards: 1 CA (Cooperative Agreement)

Funding range per award: $0 to $1,970,000 per year.

We plan to fund awards in five 12-month budget periods for a total 5-year period of performance from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2031.

The program and awards depend on the appropriation of funds and are subject to change based on the availability and amount of appropriations.

Have questions?

Go to Contacts and Support.

Key facts name:

MCH Workforce Development and Training Center number:

HRSA-26-041

version:

initial

93.110

Key dates

June 05, 2026 webinar:

See Join the webinar deadline:

July 08, 2026

September 01, 2026

September 01, 2026

See other submissions for other time frames that may apply to this NOFO.

Eligibility Who can apply You can apply if your organization is a domestic public or nonprofit private institution of higher education. Native American tribal governments and organizations that are institutions of higher learning (education) can also apply.

Types of eligible organizations These types of domestic* organizations may apply:

• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

*“Domestic” means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

Individuals are not eligible applicants under this NOFO.

Qualifications for principal investigator or project director HRSA recognizes only one Project Director. The Project Director must:

• Be employed by the applicant organization and have demonstrated leadership in MCH public health.

• Have relevant experience and expertise with MCH curriculum design/ development, workforce development, providing technical assistance, teaching, and adult learning theory.

• Have expertise in one or more MCH topic areas.

• Have knowledge and expertise in MCH Leadership Competencies.

• Dedicate at least 20% of their time to the program grant. The dedicated time can be supported through in-kind contributions or by grant funds. We do not allow co- Project Directors.

Completeness and responsiveness criteria We will review your application to make sure it meets these basic requirements to move forward in the competition.

We will not consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that does not meet all eligibility criteria.

• Requests funding above the award ceiling shown in the funding range.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

Application limits You may not submit more than one application. If you submit more than one application, we will only accept the last on-time submission.

Cost sharing This program has no cost-sharing requirement. If you choose to share in the costs of the project, we will not consider it during merit review. Recipients agree that once committed, cost sharing amounts are enforceable and subject to reporting and auditing requirements under 2 CFR 200.

Post-award requirements Before you apply, make sure you understand the requirements that come with an award.

See Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award for information on regulations that apply, reporting, and more.

Program description Purpose The MCH Workforce Development and Training Center provides training, technical assistance, and workforce development opportunities to strengthen the current and future maternal and child (MCH) workforce. The Center equips state Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program (Title V) leaders[1], staff, and other MCH professionals with the skills and tools to address MCH needs in their communities and advance outcomes nationwide.

The program objectives to be accomplished during the period of performance to support program goals, include:

1. Provide high-quality training and technical assistance to the MCH public health workforce that builds capacity needed to implement the Title V Block Grant and related MCH programs.

2. Deliver tailored collaborative learning opportunities for state and local MCH staff and their partners.

3. Create an online learning platform that provides self-paced trainings and resources for the MCH public health workforce, using the MCH Leadership Competencies as an organizing framework.

4. Advance academic-practice partnerships with Title V to improve MCH service delivery and capacity.

Background State and local MCH agencies are charged with improving the health of all the nation’s women, children, and families. To accomplish this goal, a knowledgeable and skilled workforce is essential. Yet, workforce shortages and barriers to receiving workforce training, including limited state and local funding for professional development, place significant strain on the country’s public health infrastructure.[2]

Nearly 28% of the current MCH public health workforce in state and local government plan to leave their organization or retire within the next year.[3]

Access to workforce development and training that is free, tailored to state and local MCH staff, and delivered in a variety of formats can help make sure that MCH professionals have the knowledge and skills needed to improve MCH outcomes.

Currently, only 14% of the governmental MCH public health workforce has formal public health training.[4]

HRSA currently funds two distinct investments that support MCH workforce development and training: the MCH Workforce Development Center and the MCH Navigator.

• The MCH Workforce Development Center program provides intensive coaching and implementation support to 25 states annually. Since 2021, this investment trained 560 state MCH professionals, with 90% of states achieving major systems-level improvements within six months and improved skills. In 2023 alone, the Center’s activities reached over 25,000 state and local MCH staff nationwide.

• The MCH Navigator provides access to free, quality online trainings to advance MCH leadership competencies for the current and future MCH workforce. This online learning platform reaches 106,000 unique visitors annually, providing easy access to 600 trainings and a self-assessment to measure progress. Since 2013, over 15,000 individuals have completed the online self-assessment, received a learning plan, and report increased knowledge and skill.

The MCH Workforce Development and Training Center, described in this NOFO (HRSA-26-041) will be a new program that incorporates the key workforce development and training activities from these two programs into one cohesive program.

Program requirements and expectations To achieve the goals and objectives stated in the purpose section, you are expected to complete the following activities.

Training and technical assistance

• Establish a National MCH Workforce Development and Training Center (Center) to build the MCH workforce’s skills and knowledge needed to effectively implement the Title V MCH Block Grant and improve MCH outcomes. This Center should:

◦ Use a conceptual model based on adult learning principles to design the Center and its offerings (for example, trainings, technical assistance, and coaching). These should be accessible for learners at all levels and stages of their career.

◦ Reach the practicing and future MCH workforce, academia, and other MCH partners.

◦ Annually identify national MCH workforce development needs and skill gaps and address them through the Center’s offerings.

Intensive training and technical assistance

• Annually, provide a multi-month, long-term intensive training and technical assistance program for state Title V MCH staff teams (state teams) to advance MCH workforce skills through hands-on training. Intensive training can vary in duration and format:

◦ Develop a program that offers a variety of capacity-building experiences, coaching, peer-to-peer networking, and/or consultation to state teams.

◦ The program should focus on the application of knowledge and skills to state-specific projects, including implementation of State Title V Action Plans.

◦ Ensure the program uses adult learning principles, and is interdisciplinary, adaptive, flexible, and responsive to the needs of MCH professionals.

• Reach 150 Title V staff from 30 states or jurisdictions through intensive training by the end of the period of performance:

◦ Engage interdisciplinary teams of MCH professionals in the long-term intensive training, with state Title V staff comprising at least 50% of each team.

◦ State teams can include community organizations, family representatives, local MCH agency staff, and partners from non-health related organizations.

• Develop or curate trainings and resources that help states implement their MCH block grant. Topics can include, but are not limited to:

◦ Program management.

◦ Budgeting.

◦ Change management.

◦ Adaptive leadership.

◦ Population health improvement.

◦ Systems change.

◦ Evidence-based decision making.

◦ Needs assessment.

• Design and offer a short-term intensive training program to support rapid development of MCH leadership skills for the MCH workforce.

◦ This training program can be brief, distance-learning opportunities for individual professionals or for state or local agency teams. Participants in this short-term program should receive a certificate of completion.

◦ This program will help build workforce capacity to respond to emerging issues in MCH.

• Propose additional, innovative opportunities to build the capacity of state MCH Title V professionals and extend the reach of the Center over the period of performance. You are encouraged to engage partners from non-traditional organizations or fields to support MCH outcomes.

Self-directed, self-paced training

• Develop an online learning platform that includes a robust learning management system (LMS) designed to increase knowledge and skills of the MCH Leadership Competencies.

◦ Provide access to a variety of trainings and learning opportunities that meet the needs of users with different learning styles and time commitments.

• Training can vary in length and format and may include modules, tutorials, webinars, or courses.

• Trainings must be free, accessible, and high-quality. Trainings can be created by the Center or sourced from external partner sources.

• Trainings should be curated for MCH professionals with different responsibilities and disciplines, students, academics, and other MCH practitioners.

• Trainings should be tailored to meet the unique needs of the emerging and practicing MCH workforce and fill critical workforce knowledge and training gaps.

◦ Determine a process to ensure that the trainings are vetted and high-quality and a process to receive training recommendations from external sources.

◦ Ensure trainings remain relevant and links to external sites are functional throughout the duration of the project period.

◦ Incorporate user feedback and key audience needs into the design of the self-directed, self-paced training.

• Use a modern, scalable, and secure platform, have a searchable inventory, and ensure the accuracy and functionality of the platform remains up to date throughout the period of performance.

◦ Provide a user-friendly front-end experience for accessing curated training and learning resources.

◦ Be flexible enough to support future system enhancements such as site optimization for use on a mobile device.

• Develop and maintain a free, online self-assessment tool to help individuals assess their knowledge of the MCH Leadership Competencies. The self-assessment tool should:

◦ Provide users with a customized learning plan based on their knowledge and skill level and track their progress towards completing the learning plan.

◦ Track users’ individual learning and progress over time, including increased knowledge and skills of the MCH Leadership Competencies.

◦ Aggregate data and produce customized reports at the individual, organizational, state, or national level to inform training plans.

◦ Reach students in undergraduate or graduate training programs, MCH staff in all 59 states/jurisdictions, and other MCH organizations.

MCH workforce development online hub

• Build and publish a central online hub for the Center’s free and accessible offerings. An existing site may be used. Ensure the online hub contains, but is not limited to:

◦ The online learning platform, as described above.

◦ Resources for the MCH workforce (for example, case studies and just-in-time learning).

◦ Information on technical assistance opportunities for state MCH Title V agencies.

• Use best practices for web design, including user-centered design (for example, clear navigation and minimal user interface), accessibility, plain language principles, and other standard requirements.

• Provide regular maintenance of the hub and evaluate it to ensure compliance with current design standards and use.

Outreach and recruitment

• Recruit Title V staff and the MCH workforce to use the Center’s trainings and technical assistance.

• Promote the Center’s trainings and resources, by highlighting the ways the Center can support different audiences.

Academic-practice partnerships

• Support state Title V programs to develop and strengthen academic-practice partnerships to advance MCH programs and policies.

◦ Provide resources and technical assistance to Title V agencies and academic programs to build partnerships with each other.

• Build opportunities to support current and future MCH faculty to enhance their knowledge and skills to support applied MCH practice. This may include a repository for MCH curricula or support for special projects in MCH practice.

◦ You may tailor your support to junior or established faculty to develop applied MCH academic programs.

• Design an internship program for undergraduate and graduate students to build the capacity of the future Title V workforce and provide exposure to careers in state and/or local MCH public health.

◦ The program should include both applied learning experiences, through practicum or internship placements within Title V agencies, and self-paced training or other distance-learning opportunities.

◦ Recruit students interested in MCH to participate in the program.

Collaboration/partnerships

• Sustain or develop strategic partnerships or collaborations to achieve program goals. Partnerships may include:

◦ State Title V Block Grant agencies.

◦ Community organizations.

◦ Tribal entities.

◦ Organizations outside of public health.

◦ MCH providers.

◦ National public health and MCH organizations.

◦ Other federal training programs.

◦ Academic partners.

• Leverage relationships with key partners to support workforce development, develop learning programs, and avoid duplication of effort and content.

Advisory committee

• Establish an advisory committee to guide the Center’s activities and plans. The committee should meet at least annually and should include Title V agency staff, academic partners, MCH organizations, and other partners to ensure the Center’s training and learning opportunities meet the needs of the target audience.

https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/focus-areas/mch-workforce-development

Performance measurement, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement

(CQI)

We expect you to measure your performance. Actions include:

• Measuring performance on key activities and program objectives.

• This includes Discretionary Grants Information System (DGIS) measures noted in the Reporting section.

• Tracking and surveying intensive training program participants after program completion to measure the impact on the MCH workforce.

• You are expected to conduct CQI activities (for example, use data and findings from performance measurement and/or evaluation work to inform and improve processes and outcomes).

• Develop a CQI plan that demonstrates:

◦ How you will include state Title V leader, staff, academic, and partner feedback and how information will be used to support program implementation and sustainability.

◦ How you plan to use performance measurement data to inform and improve self-directed and intensive trainings, resources, and other activities.

Statutory authority 42 U.S.C. § 701(a)(2) (Title V, § 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act)

Award information Cooperative agreement terms Our responsibilities Aside from monitoring and technical assistance, we also get involved in these ways:

• Provide experienced HRSA/MCHB staff to support the planning and development of all phases of the project.

• Ongoing review of activities and procedures to be established and implemented to accomplish the goals of the cooperative agreement.

• Participate, as appropriate, in conference calls, meetings, and technical assistance sessions.

• Review of project information prior to dissemination.

• Help establish and facilitate effective collaborative relationships with federal and state agencies, MCHB award projects, resource centers, and other entities that may be relevant to the project’s mission.

• Provide information and training resources.

• Participate in the dissemination of project findings, products, best practices, and lessons learned from the project.

Your responsibilities You must follow all relevant laws and policies. Your other responsibilities will include:

• Complete activities listed in the program requirements and expectations section.

• Inform the HRSA project officer of any publications, audiovisuals, and other materials produced prior to distribution under the auspices of the cooperative agreement.

• Consult with the federal project officer at the time of concept development of materials and include review of drafts and final products.

• Participate in meetings and conference calls with HRSA.

• Collaborate with HRSA on ongoing review of activities, procedures, and budget items.

Funding policies and limitations Changes in HHS regulations As of October 1, 2025, HHS has adopted 2 CFR Part 200, with some modifications included in 2 CFR Part 300. These regulations replace those in 45 CFR Part 75.

Policies

• To make an award, funding must be available and allocated for this program and purpose, at which point we will move forward with the review and award process.

• Have clear policies and good financial practices to avoid spending HRSA funds on unallowable activities. Like other award rules, we may audit your policies, procedures, and controls.

• Support beyond the first budget year will depend on:

◦ Appropriation of funds.

◦ Your satisfactory progress in meeting the project’s objectives.

◦ A decision that continued funding is in the government’s best interest.

• If we receive more funding for this program, we may:

◦ Fund more applicants from the rank order list.

◦ Extend the period of performance.

◦ Award supplemental funding.

General limitations

• For guidance on some types of costs we do not allow or restrict, see Project

Budget Information in section 3.1.4 of the R&R Application Guide.

◦ You can also see 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E - General Provisions for Selected Items of Cost.

◦ Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities [PDF], in the HHS Grants Policy Statement.

• All costs must be reasonable, necessary, allocable to the award, and adequately documented (2 CFR 200.403).

• You cannot earn profit from the federal award. See 2 CFR § 200.400(g).

• Current appropriations law includes a salary limit of $228,000 as of January 2026 that applies to this program. You may pay salaries at a higher rate if the rate beyond the salary rate limit (Executive Level II) is paid with non-HHS funds. For help calculating salaries under this limit, read more at “salary rate limitation” in the R&R application guide.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200 https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72 https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/hhs-grants-policy-statement-oct-2025.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.404 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.405 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.400(g)

Indirect costs Indirect costs are costs you charge across more than one project that cannot be easily separated by project. For example, this could include utilities for a building that supports multiple projects.

Per 2 CFR 300.414 indirect costs for training awards cannot exceed 8% of modified total direct costs. To calculate the (MTDC), we exclude from the direct cost base:

• Direct cost amounts for equipment, tuition, fees, and participant support costs

• Subawards and subcontracts exceeding $50,000.

For modified total direct costs, we use the definition at 2 CFR 200.1.

Consider your indirect costs when developing your budget.

Program income Program income is money earned as a result of your award-supported project activities. You must use those funds to add to approved project activities. Find more about program income at 2 CFR 200.307.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-III/part-300/subpart-E/section-300.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.307

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

Get registered 19

Find the application package 20

Application writing help 20

Get registered SAM.gov You must have an active account with SAM.gov to apply. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today.

To register:

• Go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and select Get Started. From the same page, you can also select the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

• You must agree to the financial assistance general certifications and representations specifically. Those for contracts are different.

When you register, you will also receive your required Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

Once you register:

• You will have to maintain your registration throughout the life of any award.

• If your organization has multiple UEIs, use the one associated with your physical location.

If you need additional information about user roles in SAM.gov, see “Get registered:

SAM.gov user roles” in the R&R Application Guide.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants and How to Apply for Grants.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/financial-assistance-general-certification-representations.pdf https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D36 https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HRSA-26-041.

After you select the opportunity, we recommend that you click the Subscribe button to get updates.

Application writing help Visit HHS Tips for Preparing Grant Proposals.

Visit HRSA’s How to Prepare Your Application page for more guidance.

See Apply for a Grant for other help and resources.

Join the webinar For more information about this opportunity, watch this recording at https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/HRSA-26-041 .

Have questions? Go to Contacts and Support.

https://www.grants.gov/search-grants https://www.hhs.gov/grants-contracts/grants/get-ready-for-grants-management/tips-for-preparing-grant-proposals/index.html https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant/prepare-your-application https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/apply-for-a-grant https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/HRSA-26-041

Step 3:

Build Your Application

Application checklist 22

Application contents and format 24

Application checklist There are two types of forms in Grants.gov.

• Some of forms allow you to upload components of your application to the form.

These include components like your project narrative, budget and budget narrative, and attachments.

• Other forms are more typical, fill-in-the-blank forms.

Make sure that you have everything you need to apply.

Narratives See the instructions for the project narrative and the budget and budget narrative.

A S

Form Included in page limit*?

☐ Research & Related Other Project Information Yes

☐ Research & Related Budget Yes ttachments ee instructions for attachments.

Form Included in page limit*?

☐ 1. Training Outline Yes

☐ 2. Agreements with other entities No

☐ 3. Work plan Yes

☐ 4. Project organizational chart Yes

☐ 5. Staffing plan and job descriptions Yes

☐ 6 - 15. Other relevant documents Yes

Other required forms See form instructions.

Form Included in page limit*?

☐ SF-424 (R&R) No

☐ Project Abstract Summary form No

☐ R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) No*

☐ Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form No

☐ Project/Performance Site Location(s) No

☐ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) No

* Unless otherwise indicated, only what you attach to a form counts toward the page limit. The form itself does not count.

Application contents and format This section includes guidance on each component found in the application checklist.

Application page limit: 60

Submit your information in English and express whole number budget figures using U.S. dollars.

Required format Required format for project summary, project narrative, budget narrative, and attachments:

Font: A readable font like Arial, Courier, CG Times, or Times New Roman.

File format: We only accept the following document formats:

• .PDF - Adobe Portable Document Format

• .DOC/.DOCX - Microsoft Word

• .RTF - Rich Text Format

• .TXT - Text

• .WPD - Word Perfect Document

• .XLS/.XLSX - Microsoft Excel

• .VSD - Microsoft Visio

Size: 12-point font.

Footnotes, charts, graphics, and budget tables may be 10-point or higher.

Ink color: Black.

Spacing: Single-spaced, including all text and tables.

Alignment: Left.

Headings: Bold all headings and align left.

Size: 8.5 x 11 (Make sure the print area is set and allows printing to 8.5 x 11.).

Margins: 1-inch on all sides.

Footer: On each page as the footer, include your organization’s name and page numbers. If a competing continuation or competing supplement, also include your 10-digit award number.

Page numbering:

• Do not number the standard OMB-approved forms.

• Number each attachment page sequentially (that is, 1, 2, 3).

• Reset the numbering for each attachment.

• Treat each attachment as a separate section.

File names: You can find guidance for naming our files in the R&R Application Guide.

Project narrative Use the Research & Related Other Project Information form to attach the project narrative. In the project narrative, you will describe all aspects of your project.

Use the section headers and the order as listed.

Introduction See merit review criterion 1: Need

Need See merit review criterion 1: Need

• Describe the national and MCH public health workforce development needs and interests and how this program will address them.

• Describe the need for tailored training for the MCH workforce to improve MCH outcomes.

• Describe the need for academic-practice partnerships in MCH.

• Use and cite demographic data whenever possible.

Approach See merit review criterion 2: Response

• Tell us how you’ll address your stated needs and meet the program requirements and expectations described in this NOFO.

• List the specific goals and objectives that respond to the stated need and purpose of this project.

• As it makes sense, include strategies for ongoing staff training, teamwork, and information sharing. Also include strategies for outreach and collaboration efforts to involve patients, families, and communities.

• If it applies, include a plan to distribute reports, products, or project outputs to target audiences.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D36

• Provide Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound (SMART) objectives for each proposed project goal.

Training & technical assistance

• Describe how you will establish a National MCH Workforce Development and

Training Center to build workforce skills and knowledge needed to effectively implement the Title V MCH Block Grant and improve MCH outcomes as outlined in the program requirements and expectations.

◦ Detail the conceptual model based on adult learning principles that you will use to inform and design the Center and its offerings. Include any supporting documentation as an attachment.

◦ Describe how you will reach the practicing and future state and local MCH workforce, academia, and other MCH partners.

◦ Describe your plan to annually identify MCH workforce development needs and skill gaps.

Intensive training and technical assistance

• Describe how you will provide an annual multi-month, long-term intensive training and technical assistance program for state teams, as described in the program requirements and expectations.

◦ Describe how you will develop a program that offers a variety of capacity-building experiences, coaching, peer-to-peer networking, and/or consultation to state teams.

• Document your plan to reach 150 Title V staff from 30 states or jurisdictions through the intensive training by the end of the period of performance.

◦ Describe how you will engage interdisciplinary teams of MCH professionals in the long-term intensive training, with state Title V staff comprising at least 50% of each team.

• Describe how you will develop or curate trainings and resources to help states implement their MCH block grant.

◦ Detail the topics you will include, such as those suggested in the program requirements and expectations.

• Detail the competencies participants will learn upon completing intensive training activities, aligned to the intensity and modality of the training engagement.

• Describe your plan to design and deliver a short-term intensive training program to support the rapid development of MCH leadership skills.

• Detail your plans for additional, innovative opportunities to build the capacity of Title V professionals and extend the reach of the National MCH Workforce Development and Training Center over the period of performance.

• Provide an outline of the intensive training program(s) you will offer in Attachment 1.

Self-directed, self-paced training

• Describe how you will develop an online learning platform[5] that includes a LMS that uses the MCH Leadership Competencies as a framework to organize the trainings, as described in the program requirements and expectations.

◦ Provide an outline of the trainings you will offer and how they connect to relevant MCH Leadership Competencies in Attachment 1.

◦ Describe how available trainings and learning opportunities will be tailored to meet the workforce needs and fill identified critical knowledge and training gaps.

• Describe how you will ensure trainings remain relevant and links to external sites are functional throughout the duration of the project period.

• Share how you will incorporate user feedback and key audience needs into the design of the self-directed, self-paced training.

• Describe how you will provide a modern, scalable, and secure platform that uses a database-driven system, that is designed with data privacy best practices.

Describe plans to create a user-friendly front-end experience.

• Describe how you will develop and maintain a free, online self-assessment tool to help individuals assess their knowledge and skills related to the MCH Leadership Competencies, as detailed in the program requirements and expectations.

◦ Describe how you will provide users with a customized learning plan based on their knowledge and skill level, and track their progress over time.

◦ Detail the plan to make sure the LMS is flexible enough to support future enhancements, including optimized for use on a mobile device.

◦ Describe the process you will take to ensure that the accuracy and functionality of the LMS remains up to date.

◦ Detail how you will aggregate data that can be shared at the individual, organizational, state, or national level and use aggregate data to inform training and workforce development opportunities.

MCH workforce development online hub

• Describe how you will build and publish a central online hub (or use an existing site) to serve as the central hub for the Center’s free and accessible offerings.

• Detail what components the online platform will contain as outlined in the program requirements and expectations.

• Describe the best practices you will use for web design, as outlined in the program requirements and expectations.

• Describe how you will regularly maintain and evaluate the website to ensure compliance with current design standards and use.

Outreach and recruitment

• Detail your plan to recruit Title V staff and the MCH workforce to use the Center’s training and technical assistance.

• Describe how you will promote the Center’s trainings and resources with external audiences.

Academic-practice partnerships

• Detail your plan to support state Title V programs to develop and strengthen academic-practice partnerships.

• Describe the resources and technical assistance you will provide to Title V programs to build partnerships with academic programs.

• Detail how you will support current and future MCH faculty to enhance their knowledge and skills. This may include a repository for MCH curricula or support for special projects.

◦ You may tailor your support to faculty striving to develop MCH curricula or programs.

• Describe how you will build the capacity of the future Title V workforce through an internship program for undergraduate and graduate students and provide exposure to careers in state and/or local MCH public health.

• Detail the applied learning experiences, through practicum or internship placements with Title V agencies, that participants will receive.

• Document how the Learning Management System’s self-directed, self-paced trainings will be used.

• Describe how you will recruit students to participate in the program.

Collaboration/partnerships

• Describe how you will sustain or establish strategic partnerships or collaborations to achieve program goals.

◦ Document your current partnerships that will be central to this program.

• Detail how you will leverage relationships with key partners to support workforce development, develop learning programs, and avoid duplication of effort and content.

• Document how these partnerships will help to achieve the goals of this program.

Include letters of support in Attachment 2.

Advisory committee

• Detail your process to establish and maintain an advisory committee to guide the

Center’s activities and plans.

• Describe how members of the Center’s target audience will be included to ensure activities are relevant and appropriate.

• Describe how the advisory committee will support you to gather information about workforce development needs.

High-level work plan See merit review criteria 2: Response and 4: Impact

• Describe how you’ll achieve each of the objectives during the period of performance.

• Provide a timeline that includes each activity and identifies who is responsible for each. As needed, identify how key stakeholders will help plan, design, and carry out all activities.

• You will also include a more detailed work plan in your Attachment 3.

Resolving challenges See merit review criterion 2: Response

Discuss challenges that you are likely to encounter in designing and carrying out the activities in the work plan. Explain approaches that you’ll use to resolve them.

Performance reporting and evaluation See merit review criteria 3: Performance reporting and evaluation and 5: Resources and capabilities

Outcomes

• Describe the expected outcomes of the funded activities aligning with your project goals and objectives.

• Describe how you will disseminate results, how you will assess whether your dissemination plan is effective, whether the results are national in scope, and the extent of potential replication.

Monitoring

• Describe how you will track project-related processes, activities, and milestones, and use data to identify actual or potential challenges to implementation. Provide an initial list of measures (indicators, metrics) you will use to monitor progress.

Performance measurement and reporting See reporting for more information.

• Provide your plan for measuring and tracking program goals and objectives outlined in the Purpose section. The plan should include required and/or proposed measures outlined in the program requirements and expectations section and plans for the timely collection and reporting of all measures.

◦ Describe how you will collect and report required performance data accurately and on time.

◦ Describe how you will manage and securely store data.

◦ Describe the performance measurement capacity of your organization and staff. Include experience, skills, and knowledge.

Continuous quality improvement (CQI)

• Describe your plans for using and incorporating information from performance measurement and evaluation to inform and improve processes and outcomes.

◦ How you plan to use performance measurement data to inform and improve self-directed, self-paced and intensive trainings, resources, and other activities.

◦ How you will incorporate feedback from state Title V, academic, and practice partners to support program improvement.

◦ The barriers and your plan to address them.

See reporting for more information.

Sustainability See merit review criterion 4: Impact

We expect you to sustain key project elements that improve practices and outcomes for the target population. Propose a plan for project sustainability after the period of federal funding ends.

• Highlight key elements of your project. Examples include training methods or strategies that have been effective in improving practices.

• Discuss challenges that you’ll likely encounter in sustaining key elements of the program. Include how you will resolve these challenges.

Organizational information See merit review criterion 5: Resources and capabilities

• Briefly describe your organization’s mission, structure, and the scope of your current activities. Explain how they support your ability to carry out the program requirements.

• Include a project organizational chart in Attachment 4.

• Discuss how you’ll follow the approved plan, account for federal funds, and record all costs to avoid audit findings. Include a staffing plan and job descriptions for key faculty and staff in Attachment 5.

• Describe the Project Director’s qualifications and how they will meet the minimum of 20% time and effort to sustain this grant. Describe their demonstrated leadership in MCH public health, graduate-level teaching, adult learning, academic-practice partnership, and scholarly research.

• Describe the organizations you will partner with to fulfill the program goals and meet the training objectives. Include key agreements and letters of support in Attachment 2.

• You will also include biographical sketches for key staff using the Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile form. See Other required forms.

• Include strategies for ongoing staff training, teamwork, and information sharing.

Also include strategies for outreach and collaboration efforts to involve patients, families, and communities.

Staff qualifications

• Document faculty and staff experience with the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of MCH training activities.

• Document faculty and staff experience in developing advanced database management systems, coding, and other relevant technology for a learning management system.

• Document how you will identify appropriate project staff or supports with expertise in library or information science able to curate and organize the trainings.

• Document project staff with information technology, web design and UX/UI design experience and communications experience.

• Describe staff qualifications in data management, assessment and analysis.

Budget and budget narrative See merit review criterion 6: Support requested

Your budget should follow the instructions in budget narrative: detailed instruction section of the R&R Application Guide and any specific instructions listed in this section.

HHS now uses the definitions for equipment and supply in 2 CFR 200.1. The new definitions change the threshold for equipment to the lesser of the recipient’s capitalization level or $10,000 and the threshold for supplies to below that amount.

The total project or program costs are all allowable (direct and indirect) costs used for the HRSA award activity or project. This includes costs charged to the award and non-federal funds used to satisfy a matching or cost-sharing requirement (which may include maintenance of effort, if applicable).

The budget narrative supports the information you provide in the Research and Related Budget Form. The merit review committee reviews both. Your budget should show a well-organized plan.

The budget narrative includes an itemized breakdown and a clear justification of the requested costs. As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are reasonable, allowable and allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities.

• The restrictions on spending funds. See funding policies and limitations.

To create your budget justification narrative, see budget narrative detailed instructions in the R&R Application Guide.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D36 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.1(Equipment) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#p-200.1(Supply) https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D18

Consultant services Identify each consultant, the services they will perform, the total number of days, travel costs, and the total estimated costs.

Attachments See section 3.2 of the HRSA R&R Application Guide.

Place your attachments in this order in the Attachments Form. See application checklist to determine if they count toward the page limit.

Unless the instructions below require it, do not submit organizational brochures or other promotional materials (for example, slides, films, clips).

Attach the project’s work plan. Make sure it includes everything required in the Project Narrative section.

Attachment 1: Training outline Provide a detailed outline of training opportunities, content, modalities, and associated competencies across the period of performance. Provide high-level documentation of your intensive, long-term training plan and your initial training plan for self-directed, self-paced trainings.

Attachment 2: Agreements with other entities Provide any documents that describe working relationships between your organization and others you mention in your project narrative. If you include documents that confirm actual or pending contracts or agreements, the documents should clearly describe the roles of subrecipients and contractors and any deliverables. It is not necessary to include the entire contents of lengthy agreements, so long as the portions you include describe the working relationship between you and the other organization.

Make sure letters of agreement are signed and dated.

Attachment 3: Work plan Attach the project’s work plan. Make sure it includes everything required in the project narrative section.

Attachment 4: Project organizational chart Provide a one-page diagram that shows the full project’s organizational structure.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D25

Attachment 5: Staffing plan and job descriptions See Section 3.1.7 of the R&R Application Guide [PDF]. Include a staffing plan that shows the staff positions that will support the project and key information about each. Justify your staffing choices, including education and experience qualifications and your reasons for the amount of time you request for each staff position.

For key personnel, attach a one-page job description. It must include the role, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Attachments 6 – 15: Other relevant documents (optional) Include any other documents that are relevant to your application.

Other required forms You will need to complete some other forms. Upload the following forms at Grants.gov.

You can find them in the NOFO application package or review them and any available instructions at Grants.gov Forms.

Forms Submission Requirement

SF-424 R&R (Application for Federal Assistance) form With application.

Project Abstract Summary form With application.

Research & Related Other Project Information With application.

Research & Related Senio/Key Person Profile (Expanded)

With application.

R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) form With application.

Project/Performance Site Location(s) With application.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) If applicable, with the application or before award.

Form instructions The following are instructions for each of the other forms required by this NOFO. See the application checklist for a full list of all application requirements.

https://www.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/hrsa/grants/research-related-application-guide.pdf#page%3D23 https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

SF-424 (R&R) Application for Federal Assistance This is your application for federal assistance. Follow the instructions in section 3.1.1 of the R&R Application Guide.

Project Abstract Summary form Complete the information in the Project Abstract Summary form. Include a short description of your proposed project. Include the needs you plan to address, the proposed services, and the population groups you plan to serve. For more information, see section 3.1.2 of the R&R Application Guide.

Research & Related Other Project Information In addition to the requirements in the project narrative section, you will provide some additional information in this form.

• Complete sections 1 through 6.

• Upload a blank document in item 7: Project Summary/Abstract to avoid a cross-form error with your Project Abstract Summary form.

• Upload your project narrative in item 8.

• Leave items 9, 10, and 11 blank.

Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Include biographical sketches for people who will hold the key positions.

• Try to use no more…