Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant

The Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant, administered under the Social Security Act since 1935, is a federal initiative aimed at improving public health systems for mothers, children, and families across the United States, including children and youth with special health care needs. Through this grant program, states receive federal funding to support various maternal and child health initiatives tailored to their unique demographic and health needs. States are empowered to determine how best to allocate the grant funds within their jurisdiction, allowing for flexibility in addressing priority health issues. These funds are often directed toward reducing infant mortality, improving access to prenatal, postnatal, and delivery care, and supporting preventive and primary care services for women and children, particularly those from low-income backgrounds or underserved areas. The grant also aids children with special healthcare needs by facilitating access to rehabilitative and coordinated care services and operating toll-free hotlines for Medicaid enrollment assistance. The federal government allocates funds annually using a formula based on state population size and specific health needs. For every $4 received from the federal government through Title V, states are required to match at least $3 with their own funds. This cost-sharing requirement ensures state investment and accountability in the health outcomes of maternal and child populations. The program incorporates a robust performance measurement framework, which includes National Outcome Measures (NOMs), National Performance Measures (NPMs), Evidence-Based Strategy Measures (ESMs), and optional State Performance Measures (SPMs). These tools help track and report on the effectiveness of services and progress toward improving maternal and child health outcomes. Data collection and reporting are managed through the Title V Information System (TVIS). For technical assistance and training, the program is supported by a network of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Resource Centers, including the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP), CityMatCH, and specialized data initiatives like State Oversampling in the National Survey of Children's Health. These resources provide support to state grantees in implementing, measuring, and enhancing their programs. Primary federal contacts for the Title V MCH Block Grant are listed under "Title V Contacts for Regional Offices," and further details, including application processes and reporting tools, are available via the TVIS. While specific dates for open and close cycles are not provided in the source document, the program is longstanding, recurring annually, and currently active.