Use of competency-based self-assessments and the MCH navigator for MCH workforce development: three states' experiences.

Workforce development is a priority across many state Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Title V programs. Three case studies were conducted to explore varied state implementations of MCH workforce development initiatives. Three states utilized the online MCH Navigator resource to support orientation and ongoing professional development for staff and other partners.

Association of physical violence by an intimate partner around the time of pregnancy with inadequate gestational weight gain.

Intimate partner violence has been previously examined in relation to a variety of pregnancy, labor and delivery outcomes. We evaluated whether women who experienced physical violence by their intimate partners around the time of pregnancy were less likely to achieve weight gain according to the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2000-2006 Oklahoma Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Survey (PRAMS) data for post-partum women, 20 years and older.