Cutting-Edge Practice

Increasing Inclusivity and Representation of MCH Populations in Emergency Preparedness and Response in Tennessee

State/Jurisdiction: Tennessee
Setting: Workplace
Population: Life Course Medical & Public Health Professionals
Topic Area: Safe and Connected Communities Emergency Preparedness
NPMs:

Increasing Inclusivity and Representation of MCH Populations in Emergency Preparedness and Response in Tennessee is a statewide effort to ensure that the unique needs of maternal and child health (MCH) populations—including infants, pregnant and postpartum women, CYSHCN, and children with medical complexities—are embedded into emergency planning, response, and recovery activities. This practice was developed after identifying long-standing gaps in how MCH populations were represented in statewide emergency operations plans, exercises, and response frameworks. Through dedicated Title V-supported leadership, Tennessee created actionable resources such as a Maternal and Child Health Annex and a Shelter Infant Feeding Guide, and began integrating MCH considerations into tabletop exercises, outbreak planning, and preparedness guidance.

This practice emphasizes cross-program collaboration, shared foundational knowledge between MCH and emergency management staff, and sustained engagement of partners with lived experience. Its goal is to ensure that all-encompassing preparedness becomes a standard—not an afterthought—across Tennessee’s emergency systems. Early use of these tools, including during the Hurricane Helene response, demonstrates their real-world value and highlights the growing statewide recognition that MCH populations must be intentionally considered to ensure safe, effective, and family-centered emergency response.




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Implementation Handout



CONTACT INFORMATION
Tennessee Department of Health
Sydney Clark
Sydney.l.clark@tn.gov