Overview

Improving the health of all mothers, children (including those with special health care needs), youth, and their families is the mission of MCH services supported by Title V federal funds. AMCHP operates Leadership Lab as a vehicle for advancing that mission through fortifying MCH staff and other associated stakeholders, including family members, consultants, volunteers, etc. Leadership Lab aims to increase participants' capacity to convey the importance of Title V programs; create a vision for success; and foster authentic engagement and collaboration across disciplines. AMCHP believes that achieving our vision of a skilled, flexible, and diverse MCH workforce starts with investing in the leadership development of individuals serving in many different roles and settings across jurisdictions.

What is Leadership Lab?

Leadership Lab is a unique opportunity for those affiliated or working with jurisdictional Title V programs (staff, consultants, volunteers) to accelerate their professional development in a way that is framed by the MCH Leadership Competencies and guided by adult learning principles. Participants will:
  • Be exposed to information and resources that are relevant for their current and future roles;
  • Develop and continuously revisit an individualized leadership plan with a matched mentor;
  • Challenge themselves through collaborative activities and thoughtful discussions;
  • Grow their peer network; and
  • Receive ongoing support from an experienced AMCHP staff cohort lead.
Leadership Lab is comprised of five (5) cohorts that run concurrently, described in more detail later in this application and on the Leadership Lab page of the AMCHP website:
  • New Directors Leaders Cohort (NDLC)
  • Management Accelerator Cohort (MAC)
  • Family Leaders Cohort
  • MCH Epi Peer-to-Peer Cohort (MCH Epi P2P)
  • Adolescent Health Leaders Cohort
What is the expected commitment?

The Leadership Lab requires an eight (8) month commitment from participants, beginning in October 2025 and extending through May 2026. This includes active engagement in the following components, all of which are 100% virtual:
  • A comprehensive program orientation, including a facilitated training on understanding your and others' workplace styles;
  • Informative and engaging webinars that address cross-cutting topics (e.g., developing others through teaching, coaching, and mentoring) that are relevant for leaders working with Title V in many different capacities;
  • Sessions that are specific to each cohort, including coordination with peers on any individual leadership activities and/or collaborative projects;
  • Regular communication with a matched mentor, framed around individualized leadership goals;
  • Opportunities for structured and informal networking with leaders from across jurisdictions; and
  • A reflective and motivating commencement ceremony.
Application guidance

Applications are due on Monday, August 25 at 11:59ET. Please only apply for one cohort, even if you are eligible to apply for more than one. Please consult with your direct supervisor and/or your jurisdiction’s Title V, MCH, or CYSHCN Director before applying; it is critical that they support your application and will afford you the time required throughout the program cycle to complete all requirements.

Thank you for your interest in the Leadership Lab. Please click “Next” to complete your application, which includes a combination of general questions and questions for each specific cohort.

If you have questions, please contact workforce@amchp.org.

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* 1. Please provide your contact information.

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* 2. Job Title

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* 3. Length of time in current position

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* 4. Length of time in the maternal and child health / public health field

Please note the following three demographic questions are optional.

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* 5. Gender

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* 6. Ethnicity

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* 7. Race (Check all that apply)

Please complete the following questions. Use the designated space and length suggestions to guide your responses. AMCHP will utilize this information for planning purposes, mentoring/coaching matching, and collaborative project assignments.

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* 8. Which of the following MCH Leadership Competencies (version 4.0) would you consider to be your biggest strengths? Please choose no more than three.

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* 9. Which of the following MCH Leadership Competencies (version 4.0) would you interested in developing/refining? Please choose no more than three.

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* 10. What professional development skills do you hope to enhance through AMCHP's Leadership Lab that would make you feel more successful/equipped in your Title V work or MCH-related partnerships?

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* 11. Describe the expertise and qualities of your ideal professional mentor. We will do our best to honor these preferences during matching if you are selected for the program.

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* 12. Select your preferred mentorship arrangement from the options below. We will do our best to honor this preference if you are selected for the program, but arrangements may be influenced by the number of available mentors and the requirements of your specific cohort.

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* 13. How do you anticipate contributing to a mutually beneficial mentoring relationship?

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* 14. In addition to the completion of pre-assessments, Leadership Lab requires participation in two (2) live virtual activities in October 2025 (a) a 90-minute program orientation currently planned for October 7 and (b) a three- hour group Everything DiSC workplace training with a skilled facilitator currently planned for October 21. Can you commit to these requirements?

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* 15. What is your preferred cohort? Note that your answer to this question will determine the prompts you’re required to respond to in this application.

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* 16. Would you like to be considered for another cohort if your first choice is full? Selecting a second cohort is optional. If your first choice reaches capacity, we may be able to offer you a place in your second-choice cohort without requiring you to reapply.

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