About

Profile of African American woman sitting with a book

What is MCH LEAP?

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Program is a mentored program sponsored by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). The MCH LEAP program is designed to meet the critical needs for improving the level of representation in public health and healthcare professions in the State of South Carolina and in our nation. The MCH LEAP program offers interdisciplinary MCH-themed leadership training to full-time USC undergraduate students from underserved or racially and ethnically under-represented backgrounds. The program’s goal is to “bridge” trainees’ transition to MCH-related graduate education or public health or healthcare jobs at graduation.

How Will

MCH LEAP

Help You?

  • Individual mentoring
  • Increasing MCH knowledge through monthly dinner seminars, a Spring Summit event, MCH-related course recommendations, online learning modules, etc.
  • Connecting trainees with experiential learning opportunities such as internships, shadowing opportunities, volunteering, etc. 
  • Adopting critical skills/habits needed for career success
  • Increasing leadership skills, knowledge, and experience

Trainee Tracks

To meet the different education needs or stages of career planning for students, trainees will be enrolled into the MCH LEAP program according to the anticipated program hours that the prospective trainees are able to spend in the academic year. Trainees are encouraged to re-enroll into our program if they are non-Seniors, but the maximum duration that a trainee can stay in our program is 4 years.

 

Learner

SHORT TERM TRACK

HOURS REQUIRED: <40

The Learner is the lowest track level for the MCH LEAP program. The Learner’s primary objective is to begin the process of exploring maternal and child health topics and what MCH careers are out there. This track is best for those who don’t have as much time to commit to the program, or for those who are unsure what they want to do in MCH.

Read More

Innovator Level 1

MEDIUM TERM I TRACK

HOURS REQUIRED: 40-149

The Innovator Level 1 is the second level in the MCH LEAP program. The Innovator Level 1’s primary objective is to explore their more specific interests in maternal and child health and grow their overall MCH knowledge. Innovator Level 1 is best for those seeking moderate commitment and who have a general idea of what they want to pursue in MCH.

Read More

Innovator Level 2

MEDIUM TERM II TRACK

HOURS REQUIRED: 150-299

The Innovator Level 2 is the second highest track in the MCH LEAP program. At this level, students’ primary objective is to focus on their specifc career or educational goals in maternal and child health. The Innovator Level 2 is best for those seeking moderate to high commitment, and for those who have a strong idea of what they want to pursue in MCH.

Read More

Emerging Scholar

LONG TERM TRACK

HOURS REQUIRED: >300

The Emerging Scholar is the highest level and most competitive track in the MCH LEAP program. The Emerging Scholar is reserved for upperclassman who have a detailed plan for what they want to pursue in MCH and are prepared to offer a higher level of time commitment. This level is for students who want to dedicate their futures to maternal and child health and desire to expand their experience in research and practical MCH knowledge.

Read More

MCH Leadership Competencies

The UofSC MCH LEAP Program is designed to support and develop the next generation of MCH leaders. Our training content and outcomes will be guided by the federal MCH Leadership Competencies Version 4.0 .

The competencies are organized in progression from self (competencies #1-#4) to others (competencies #5-#10) to the wider community (competencies #11-#12).

These competencies emphasize that MCH leaders:

1) possess core knowledge of MCH populations and their needs

2) continue to seek new knowledge and skills central to effective, self-reflective, and evidence-based leadership

3) can adapt when faced with emerging challenges and opportunities

Maternal and Child Health Leadership Competencies Book

Training Objectives

  1. To increase your knowledge and skills related to MCH populations
  2. To foster leadership skills
  3. To increase your cultural responsiveness and skills in addressing health disparities
  4. To offer experiential learning experiences