Maternal and Child Health

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is one of the four priority areas under the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).

Overview

The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, also known as Title V, is dedicated to improving family health and well-being across generations. Title V enables the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to develop, implement, and evaluate policies and programs for pregnant people, parents, caregivers, infants, children, and youth, including those with special health needs.

Title V State Action Plan 2025-2030

In 2024-2025, Massachusetts conducted a statewide needs assessment to understand strengths and gaps in services, prioritize MCH needs, and develop a five-year state action plan. The needs assessment was an 18-month process engaging a broad array of MCH partners and families to identify the strengths and challenges facing families in Massachusetts. Based on the needs assessment, Massachusetts identified the following seven priorities to focus on for the state action plan:

1. Maternal/Parental/Reproductive Health: Ensure all Massachusetts residents who are pregnant and give birth and their families live the healthiest lives possible, supported by a strong public health infrastructure and healthcare delivery system.
2. Perinatal/Infant Health: Ensure all infants are born healthy and thrive in their first year of life, and reduce and eliminate variation in birth outcomes based on community health factors
3. Child Health: Optimize the healthy development of all children so they can flourish and reach their full potential through safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments
4. Adolescent Health: Advance systems that elevate youth voice, strengthen assets, and foster environments where all young people can thrive.
5. Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN): Strengthen systems of care for children and youth with special health needs and their families
6. Maternal and Child Health Workforce: Strengthen the maternal and child health workforce to ensure families and communities are supported by high-quality providers that reflect the communities they serve.
7. Emergency Preparedness: Strengthen the state’s approach of integrating MCH needs into emergency preparedness and response efforts and embedding a preparedness lens within MCH programs

The Title V State Action Plan implementation structure and focus areas under each of the seven priorities are shown below:

Performance Measures

The performance measures for the plan are included in this spreadsheet.