The legislation authorizing the Title V MCH Block Grant is broad, encompassing a wide array of direct services to individuals and population-based programs that serve everyone in a community. As a “block grant,” states and territories program their MCH investments to meet their specific needs. Through a thorough process that identifies all potential MCH priorities, states and territories conduct surveys and analyze data to determine where they can have the most impact and need the most resources to address MCH problems and challenges. Every year states and territories submit an application to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for MCH funding. A formula is used to determine funding allocations based on population size and need.
Over the years, the achievements of Title V-supported projects have been integrated into the ongoing care system for children and families. Landmark projects have produced guidelines for child health supervision from infancy through adolescence; influenced the nature of nutrition care during pregnancy and lactation; recommended standards for prenatal care; identified successful strategies for the prevention of childhood injuries; and developed health safety standards for out-of-home child care facilities.
Fast Facts
- Title V remains the only Federal program that focuses solely on improving the health of all mothers and children.
- Title V is a partnership with State Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) programs, reaching across economic lines to support such core public health functions as resource development, capacity and systems building, population-based functions such as public information and education, knowledge development, outreach and program linkage, technical assistance to communities, and provider training.
- Title V makes a special effort to build community capacity to deliver such enabling services as care coordination, transportation, home visiting, and nutrition counseling, which complement and help ensure the success of State Medicaid and SCHIP medical assistance programs.
- Title V funds support programs for children with special health needs to facilitate the development of family-centered, community-based, coordinated systems of care.
- Title V-supported programs provide gap-filling prenatal health services to 2 million women and primary and preventive health care to more than 17 million children, including almost 1 million children with special health needs.
AMCHP is Awarded $1.2M to Advance MCH Housing and Food Security Policy Initiatives
The Project, which starts September 30, 2024, aims to increase the number of state-led policy initiatives designed to reduce the drivers of health disparities for maternal and child health (MCH) populations by addressing social determinants of health (SDoH). The...
Title V Federal-State Maternal & Child Health Partnership Meeting
Updated: 10/9/24 The Title V Federal-State Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Partnership Meeting is a unique technical assistance opportunity in support of the State Title V MCH Block Grant. This meeting convenes federal staff, state Title V MCH and Children with...
Mind Matters: AYA Mental Health Capacity Building for Title V Series
Welcome! We are glad you are here to learn more about Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) mental health as it relates to state Maternal & Child Health (MCH) programs. AYAs are defined as people who are 10-17 years old (adolescents) and 18-25 years old (young...