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Project Name: Public Health Scholarship Program (T52)
Applicant Title: University Of California, Los Angeles
Abstract Text: ABSTRACT Project Title: UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Public Health (FSPH) Scholarship Program (PHSP) Applicant Organization Name: UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Address: UCLA FSPH BOX 951772, 16-035 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772 Contact Principal Investigator: Yifang Zhu, PhD Contact Phone Numbers: xxx-xxx-xxxx (voice); xxx-xxx-xxxx (fax) Email Address: xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx Website Address: http://ph.ucla.edu/ Over the past few years, we have witnessed an increasing demand for professional education in public health as measured by our larger applicant pool, as well as through surveys we have conducted with undergraduates. In addition to increasing demand, health workforce needs assessments demonstrates that the United States is facing a shortfall of 250,000 Public Health professionals, with dire need in areas identified as medically underserved. To alleviate this shortage, the UCLA FSPH is requesting funds to increase the workforce of prepared professionals with master’s degrees in public health (MPH) and health administration (MHA). Specific objectives include: 1) Recruit and select 74 (32/year in year 1 and 21/year in years 2-3) to complete the FSPH PHSP program through two tracks, Track one: Traditional MPH and Track Two: Executive MPH and On-line MHA. Annually, students from disadvantaged backgrounds will enroll in FSPH traditional MPH programs under Track one and students currently working in public health enrolled in FSPH Executive-style MPH and Online MHA programs designed for working professionals will receive full-tuition scholarships to cover the cost of attendance; 2) Provide all scholars with academic graduate level courses leading to the MPH or MHA degree; 3) Provide all scholars with support services including career and peer mentoring, academic supports, and social-emotional supports; 4) As needed, identify 10 potential community-based organizations, outside of the established local government and community organization partners, in both urban and rural Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs), to serve as practice-based field placement sites and employment and employee recruitment partners; 4) Supervise and monitor each scholars progress in their programs; 6) Provide career placement assistance for all scholars as needed, and 7) Track scholars’ employment post-graduation. FSPH is well suited to lead this program and qualifies for funding preference and meet both funding preference #1 and #2, as defined by HRSA. The UCLA FSPH is consistently ranked in the top 15 Schools of Public Health in the US and is internationally recognized for its contributions to public health research and practice and its commitment to eliminating health disparities through partnerships with local organizations and training students within the communities that they serve. Our students conduct internships and/or go on to pursue careers in local community-based organizations in MUAs across California, as well as positions at state and local health departments. As a result, we are uniquely positioned to both recruit students from a broad range of ethnic, cultural and socio-demographic backgrounds and to train professionals in public health practice to serve in MUAs, as well as workforce shortage areas. Building upon existing infrastructure of the FSPH, as well as our expansive network of partners at the local and state levels, this training program will aim at: (1) improving and strengthening the public health workforce by facilitating the entry of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds into public health careers; (2) increase the number of health care professionals who work in underserved communities across California. With this support we will bolster the education, training and field work of 74 MPH and MHA students. This assistance is critical to recruit and retain students from communities of need who then as health professionals support the health and well-being of communities across California.