Welcome to the MCH Innovations Database, is a searchable repository of “what’s working” in MCH (aka practice-based evidence) which includes effective practices and policies from the field that are positively impacting MCH populations. Practices are assessed along a continuum and receive a designation of Cutting-Edge, Emerging, Promising, or Best depending on their work’s demonstrated impact, among other criteria. Policies are assessed against a rubric and then given a designation of Evidence-Informed Policy Development, Policy Implementation, or Policy Evaluation.
For additional MCH specific evidence-based/informed strategies, check out the MCHbest Database which summarizes the science of what works from the peer-reviewed literature.
Cutting-Edge Practice
Washington State Nutrition Network
This cutting-edge practice demonstrates how the Nutrition Network builds statewide pediatric nutrition capacity through training, care coordination, interdisciplinary partnerships, and specialized feeding team support for children and youth with special health care needs.
Read MoreBest Practice
The MOMS Partnership
The MOMS Partnership® is a program model that addresses maternal mental health for pregnant/parenting women who are raising children 0-17 years old. MOMS delivers evidence-based interventions that build skills and social support and uses community-tailored strategies to increase access and engagement.
Read MoreBest Practice
Hand in Hand
Hand in Hand is a community-embedded relational health model that equips parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators with five evidence-based listening tools to strengthen attachment relationships, support children's social-emotional development, and build sustainable cultures of connection across home and school settings. Training and community support is provided through a free 24/7 online guided community, self-guided courses, peer support groups, live classes, webinars, and direct consultation with Hand in Hand's 250+ Certified Instructors worldwide.
Read MoreNC School Medicaid Toolkit
The NC School Medicaid Toolkit is a practical, plain-language resource that helps public school districts implement and sustain Medicaid-funded school mental health services through step-by-step guidance, templates, workflows, and compliance tools. Designed to reduce administrative and financial barriers, the Toolkit strengthens district capacity to expand access to student behavioral health supports and improve long-term sustainability of school-based services.
Read MorePromising Practice
Stillbirth Prevention and Pregnancy Safety Education Training Model
The PUSH Pregnancy Stillbirth Prevention and Pregnancy Safety Education and Training Model is a workforce education initiative that equips healthcare professionals and community birth workers with evidence-based training on stillbirth prevention, pregnancy safety communication, and pregnancy-after-loss care. The model utilizes virtual learning, continuing education opportunities, and trauma-informed communication strategies to strengthen provider knowledge and support more consistent pregnancy safety education across maternal health settings.
Read MoreCutting-Edge Practice
Delaware State Peer Support Doula Model
Delaware developed its peer support doula model through the State Maternal Health Innovation initiative to address rising maternal morbidity and mortality among pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder (SUD), particularly overdose-related deaths and challenges linked to fragmented care and social instability. Informed by statewide reviews and lived-experience input, the model integrates peer recovery support with doula services to provide trauma-informed emotional, practical, and care navigation support throughout pregnancy and postpartum to improve maternal and infant outcomes.
Read MoreCutting-Edge Practice
Maternal Quality and Safety Toolkit for Rural and Frontier Hospitals in Colorado
The Maternal Quality and Safety Toolkit equips rural and frontier hospitals in Colorado with practical, setting-specific tools to assess readiness, prioritize resources, and implement Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Patient Safety Bundles despite limited staffing, fragmented referral pathways, and long travel distances.
Read MorePromising Practice
Let’s Talk Community Chats
Developed by First Candle, Let's Talk Community Chats create safe spaces where families can engage in open, culturally responsive conversations about safe sleep practices, breastfeeding, and overall well-being with trusted community messengers including doulas, lactation consultants, grandparents, and dads to promote infant safety and family well-being.
Read MorePromising Practice
Drug Free Moms and Babies Program
The West Virginia Drug Free Moms and Babies program is a statewide comprehensive and integrated model of care that supports healthy outcomes for mothers and babies by providing prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery services for pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder.
Read MoreCutting-Edge Practice
Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative Perinatal Mental Health Initiative
The Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative Perinatal Mental Health Initiative works to improve education on perinatal mental health conditions for clinical staff, patients and families as well as improve processes for screening, assessing, counseling on treatment options (therapy, medication or both), providing treatment, and close OB follow-up for mental health conditions during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.
Read MoreEmerging Practice
BOND Program
Lantern’s BOND program is a 6-month stream of text messages for parents with a child ages 0-1 that addresses both parent and child wellbeing and mental health.
Read MoreBest Practice
Project Nurture
The Project Nurture model provides person-centered, team-based maternity care and substance use disorder treatment during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.
Read MoreThis project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U01MC00001 Partnership for State Title V MCH Leadership Community Cooperative Agreement ($1,696,335). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.