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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

Children's Bureau Name and Hierarchy: Roots and History

This document traces the evolution of the U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau from its birth as the U.S. Children's Bureau, which was established in 1912.

The current U.S. Children's Bureau is located in the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and focuses on child welfare, including child protective services (child abuse and neglect) family preservation and support, foster care, adoption, and independent living.


Prepared by Dr. Taylor Ruhl, March 1998, using information in Hutchins VL. 1994. Maternal and Child Health Bureau: Roots. Pediatrics 94(5):695-699.

This 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 U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. 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.