Management Plan for Multi-Cohort Design

For this project, a quasi-experimental multi-cohort design with a comparison group utilizing a pre-test/post-test format will be used and will be compared to African American mothers, age 35-44, in Detroit, MI, who are at risk for CVD, but not participating in an intervention. The following personnel are needed for successful completion of this study:

Program Manager: The Program Manager (PM) will be responsible for the overall coordination and supervision of all aspects of the program, including hiring, training, and supervising staff. This person is expected to be hired by and report to CBWW’s Executive Director (ED) at the earliest stages of implementation, and then to spearhead all aspects of the study through to completion, while also providing clear and consistent communication to the ED and upper-level stakeholders. The PM is expected to have at minimum, a Master’s degree in a relevant field, 5 years related/relevant experience, competency in Microsoft applications, and Project Management Professional credentials. The PM will be fully engaged in this project through all five phases of its implementation, including managing the final oversight and budget of all aspects.

Program Associate: In the earliest phases, the Program Associate (PA) will be hired by and report to the PM. The PA is also expected to be an integral part of all phases of project implementation and will act as a liaison between the PM, the participants, and the client-facing contractors. The PA will help to hire, train, and collaborate with the Community Health Workers, while also supporting them throughout the implementation of the various pieces of the intervention, including monthly outreach events. Additionally, the PA will collaborate with the client-facing contractors, and participate in data collection, as well as implement some of the outreach modules for the participants. The PA is the primary point of contact for the Community Health Workers, and for the logistics of implementation for the RNs and participants. At minimum, the PA will have 2 years’ professional support/administrative experience, a related/relevant Bachelor’s degree, Microsoft applications competency, and excellent written and verbal skills.

Cardiac RN: Once hired by the PM early in Phase 1, the Cardia RN (CRN) is expected to collaborate with the PA to create educational material for the outreach and demonstration events. Then in Phase 4, the CRN will conduct CVD screenings and provide referrals for participants and will assist with process data collection in Phase 5. The time commitment for the CRN is expected to be 25%, and the candidate should have a minimum of a BSN, an active RN license with 2 years’ experience in that role, and cardiology board certification. While the CRN will report to the PM as a contractor, much of his/her primary logistical engagement will be with the PA.

OB/GYN RN: Similar to the CRN, the OB/GYN RN (OGRN) will also be hired as a contractor by the PM in early Phase 1 and will assist the PA with educational material development. In Phases 4 and 5, the OGRN will provide participants with prenatal and postpartum appointments, and assist in-process data collection, respectively. With an overall time commitment of 25%, the OGRN candidate is expected to have, at minimum, a BSN, an active RN license with 2 years’ experience in that role, and obstetrics/gynecology board certification. While ultimately reporting to the PM, the OGRN will primarily liaise with the PA.

OB/GYN: The OB/GYN will be recruited from CBWW’s existing network and will be responsible for oversight and guidance of the prenatal and postpartum appointments for participants in Phase 4, in collaboration with the CRN and OGRN. The OB/GYN will also approve medications and treatments for participants. The PA will be the primary point of contact for the OB/GYN, though some matters may go through the PM and/or ED of CBWW, as necessary.

Community Health Workers: After being hired early in Phase 1 by the PM with the assistance of the PA, the three Community Health Workers (CHWs) will primarily report to the PA thereafter. They will be responsible for developing outreach materials in Phase 1 and in Phase 2, the CHWs will distribute and implement outreach materials and programs and will also provide surveys for the comparison research group. In Phase 3, the CHWs will conduct workshops about CVD symptoms, and in Phase 4, will assist participants in setting of appointments for both CVD screenings and prenatal and postpartum care. Phase 5 will see the CHWs assisting in the collection of process and survey data. CHW candidates will need to have at least a high school diploma, 3 years of relevant community outreach experience, excellent interpersonal skills, and experience with educational/promotional services.

Cardiologist (Consultant): The Cardiologist will be hired by the PM to consult in developing and implementing online CVD trainings for healthcare providers in Phases 1 and 3, respectively. Similar to the OB/GYN, the Cardiologist will primarily interact with the PA.

IT Specialist: The IT person will be hired by the PM early in Phase 1, and will provide ongoing support for the entire project, including network, hardware, software, implementing new developments in IT, and technology troubleshooting. In Phase 1, the IT person will also work with the Cardiologist to ensure the CVD training materials are of the proper caliber. While the IT support will primarily take direction from the PM, she/he may also regularly interact with the PA. At a minimum, the person filling this role needs a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering, and 4 years of relevant experience.

Evaluator (Consultant): The primary role of the Evaluator is to develop an appropriate evaluation plan and instruments for the project in Phase 1, and to conduct the actual evaluation in Phase 5, all in coordination with the PM. The person for this role should have a Master’s in Public Health, with a focus related to program evaluation, and 5 years of relevant experience.