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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Items in this list may be obtained from the sources cited. Contact information reflects the most current data about the source that has been provided to the MCH Digital Library.


Displaying records 1 through 20 (678 total).

New York State Department of Health, Center for Community Health, Division of Epidemiology, Injury Control Program. n.d.. Violence prevention demonstration projects: Project summaries. Albany, NY: New York State Department of Health, Injury Control Program, 6 pp.

Annotation: This report summaries of five model programs in violence prevention supported by the New York State Department of Health. Several programs focus on training for youth and parents. Other topics addressed include mentoring, community service, mediation, conflict resolution, and rape crisis services.

Keywords: Model programs, New York, Violence prevention

Bogenschneider K, Small S, Riley D. n.d.. An ecological, risk-focused approach for addressing youth-at-risk issues. Chevy Chase, MD: National 4-H Center, 24 pp.

Annotation: This paper presents a prevention model to reduce problem behavior in adolescents by identifying risk factors and protective factors in an adolescent's environment and targeting gaps between the two at all stages of the adolescent's environmental system—individual, family, peers, school, work, and community. The paper reviews current research on risk and protective factors that influence the well being of youth and suggests implications of this research for developing comprehensive community based prevention programs.

Keywords: Adolescent behavior, Community programs, Environmental influences, Models, Prevention programs, Protective factors, Risk factors

Center for Mental Health in Schools. n.d.. Technical assistance sampler on: Using technology to address barriers to learning. Los Angeles, CA: Center for Mental Health in Schools, 75 pp.

Healthy Teen Network and ETR Associates. n.d.. Weaving science & practice: Frequently asked questions about science-based approaches. Baltimore, MD: Healthy Teen Network, 20 pp.

Annotation: This document describes seven science-based approaches in adolescent pregnancy, HIV, and sexually transmitted infection prevention. Topics include assessment, health education and behavior change theory, logic models, science-based programs, adaptation and fidelity, characteristics of promising programs, and process and outcome evaluation. Additional topics include the benefits of using science-based approaches, ten steps for getting to outcomes, and training and technical assistance.

Keywords: Adolescent pregnancy prevention, Assessment, Behavior modification, HIV, Health behavior, Health education, Methods, Models, Outcome evaluation, Prevention programs, Process evaluation, Sexually transmitted diseases

National Institute for Children's Health Quality. n.d.. Successful strategies hospitals can use to support safe sleep. Boston, MA: National Institute for Children's Health Quality, 2 pp. (Insights)

Annotation: This chart lists the highest-rated strategies and change ideas from the first cohort of hospitals on the National Action Partnership to Promote Safe Sleep (NAPPSS-IIN). Categories include active endorsement of American Academy of Pediatric guidelines for infant safe sleep; knowledge, skills and self-efficacy of infant caregivers to practice safe sleep for every sleep; and activated community champions.

Keywords: Infants, Model programs, Prevention, Safety, Sleep position

National Institute for Children's Health Quality. n.d.. Promising practices for eliminating disparities in sleep-related infant deaths. Boston, MA: National Institute for Children's Health Quality, 2 pp. (Insights)

Annotation: This resource highlights practices identified by research NICHQ conducted to inform the Missouri Safe Sleep Coalition’s Strategic Plan to reduce infant unsafe sleep fatalities in Missouri.

Keywords: Infants, Model programs, Safety, Sleep position

New Mexico Department of Health . n.d.. New Mexico Maternal Mortality Review Committee annual report: Pregnancy-associated deaths 2015-2018. Santa Fe: New Mexico Department of Health, 34 pp.

Annotation: This report describes the maternal mortality review process in the state of New Mexico, presents key findings on pregnancy-associated deaths in the state for the period 2015-2018, and provides recommendations from the Review Committee aimed at reducing maternal deaths. The data indicates cause of death, race/ethnicity, place of birth, type of insurance, and other factors.

Keywords: Committees, Maternal death, Maternal mortality, Models, New Mexico , Prevention, Research, State programs, Statistics

UI Health Two-Generation Clinic . n.d.. A toolkit for implementing two-generation postpartum care. Chicago, IL: UI Health Two-Generation Clinic, 33 pp.

Annotation: This toolkit explains how to implement two-generation postpartum care, combining dyadic care with behavioral health support and aid for social needs for postpartum families up to two years after birth. It outlines the UI Health Two-Gen model developed at the University of Illinois Health System since 2020, which addresses physical, behavioral, and social needs of both mothers and infants during well-child visits. The toolkit describes key components including primary care delivery, behavioral health services, care management, patient education, lactation consultation, visit co-scheduling, comprehensive screenings, and care team meetings. It provides practical implementation suggestions for healthcare organizations with varying resources, addressing funding considerations and sharing patient satisfaction data. The toolkit emphasizes how innovative approaches to postpartum care can help address the maternal health crisis, particularly leveraging the Medicaid Postpartum Extension being implemented in multiple states.

Keywords: Behavioral medicine, Child health, Illinois , Intergenerational programs, Local programs, Maternal health, Models, Postpartum care, Social services

Cavalier County Health District. n.d.. Farm to table: Community garden box project . Cavalier County, ND: Cavalier County Health District, 33 pp.

Annotation: This booklet summarizes activities for a community garden box project in Cavalier County, North Dakota, beginning in the fall of 2022 to teach high school students farm-to-table gardening and increase produce access for community members. It outlines the collaborative roles of the local health district, high school construction and nutrition classes, and university extension services in managing project budgets, constructing raised boxes, and selecting appropriate plant varieties. The document details criteria for selecting garden box sites and presents a multi-channel media plan for promoting engagement through social media, radio, and print. Substantial photographs illustrate students participating in building and planting activities, and appendices include project tools such as a press release, promotional flyer, and a media content timeline

Keywords: Adolescents, Community participation, Food, Model programs, North Dakota, Nutrition, Public Health

Houghton A, Bole A, Balbus J, Shah N, Sanders-Jackson A, Wiskel T, Abel A,Boyden H, Debowska E, Jensen L, Lichter K, Olson C. 2025. Climate resistance for health care toolkit. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health , 380 pp.

Annotation: This toolkit provides comprehensive guidance for healthcare organizations to enhance their climate resilience planning and emergency preparedness efforts. It presents strategies, actions, tools, and resources organized around key elements including risk assessment, health equity, community engagement, infrastructure vulnerabilities, healthcare collaboration, and communications. Developed by the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity in partnership with healthcare professionals, the toolkit includes case studies of successful climate resilience initiatives at healthcare facilities across diverse settings.

Keywords: Collaboration, Community based services, Disaster planning, Emergencies, Environmental health, Model programs, Risk management

California Department of Health Care Services. 2025. Birthing Care Pathway report . Sacramento, CA: California Department of Health Care Services, 111 pp.

Annotation: This report presents a roadmap of California's Birthing Care Pathway initiative launched by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to address maternal health disparities and improve outcomes for pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members. It describes the current state of maternal health in California, highlighting concerning trends in pregnancy-related mortality and severe maternal morbidity with significant racial disparities affecting Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander individuals. The document outlines DHCS' strategic approach to improve maternal health through policy solutions developed with input from diverse stakeholders, including Medi-Cal members. Key components include strengthening provider access, enhancing clinical care coordination, providing whole-person care, and modernizing maternity care payment systems. The report details recent Medi-Cal policy enhancements for perinatal care and describes California's participation in the federal Transforming Maternal Health Model to further strengthen delivery systems in selected Central Valley counties.

Keywords: California, Health care disparities, Maternal health, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Model programs, Perinatal care, Policy development, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, State initiatives, Trends

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. 2025. State maternal health innovation – strengthening systems. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 2 pp.

Annotation: This fact sheet describes the State Maternal Health Innovation (MHI) Program, a federal investment launched in 2019 as a Special Project of Regional and National Significance by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program supports states in building comprehensive, data-driven, and collaborative maternal health systems through competitive grants that enable states to develop tailored strategies reflecting their unique populations and care landscapes. It describes the program's alignment with the Title V MCH Services Block Grant by filling a critical gap in facilitating relationships, coordination, and innovation capacity to move state maternal health systems from fragmentation toward alignment. The fact sheet emphasizes that the State MHI Program is the only federal program funding states to weave together relationships into cohesive maternal health systems and warns that without continued funding, state alliances and innovations would stagnate while maternal health efforts would become fragmented.

Keywords: Federal programs, Funding, Grants, MCH Programs, Model programs, Service delivery systems, State initiatives

Center for Health Care Strategies; Casey Family Programs . 2025. What strategies support effective implementation of the system of care approach? . Hamilton, NJ: Center for Health Care Strategies, 7 pp.

Annotation: This strategy brief identifies lessons learned and effective strategies for implementing a system of care approach to improve behavioral health outcomes for children and their families. It details core principles such as building trust among cross-sector partners, centering families as primary decision-makers, and prioritizing the delivery of home- and community-based services. The document discusses key elements for achieving scale and sustainability, including leadership commitment, flexible financing, and workforce capacity building through Centers of Excellence. Based on a literature review and interviews with stakeholders, it features jurisdictional profiles and practice examples from New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, and Oklahoma

Keywords: Behavior, Child health, Families, Family support programs, Literature reviews, Mental health, Models, Service delivery systems

South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health. 2025. Improving maternal and infant health: Increasing access to care in rural South Carolina. Columbia, SC: Institute of Medicine and Public Health , 114 pp.

Annotation: This report presents recommendations from a taskforce convened to address maternal and infant health challenges in rural South Carolina. The document examines the significant barriers facing pregnant and postpartum women and their babies in rural areas of the state, including provider shortages, hospital closures, transportation challenges, and nonmedical drivers of health such as poverty and food insecurity. It reviews successful programmatic efforts including Family Solutions, Hello Family Pay for Success, and the Management of Maternal Diabetes initiative, as well as policy approaches from other southern states that have expanded practice authority for certified nurse midwives and strengthened workforce incentives. The report provides detailed recommendations organized into four categories: care delivery (including mobile maternity units and telehealth expansion), workforce development (addressing pay equity and training), training and education for providers and communities, and addressing nonmedical drivers of health through transportation and social support services. It includes extensive data on maternal mortality rates, provider distribution maps, and economic analyses of the costs associated with poor maternal health outcomes, along with definitions of key terms and comprehensive references.

Keywords: Barriers, Infant health, Maternal health, Model programs, Postpartum care, Prenatal care, Rural health, South Carolina, State initiatives

National Academy for State Health Policy. 2025. Strengthening postpartum care coordination to improve maternal health. Portland, OR: National Academy for State Health Policy, 7 pp.

Annotation: This brief outlines key policy considerations for supporting postpartum care coordination under Medicaid and identifies opportunities for Medicaid and Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant programs to partner to strengthen care coordination during the postpartum period. It discusses strategies to increase attendance at postpartum visits, support early identification of postpartum needs, and develop perinatal care coordination models that include supporting extended postpartum care. The document also explores ways to build capacity to implement postpartum care coordination, such as by assessing barriers to care, strengthening perinatal health care systems to address health care and social services needs, and supporting the maternity care workforce. Additionally, it provides guidance on measuring, evaluating, and sharing the impact of postpartum care coordination initiatives.

Keywords: Care coordination, Maternal health, Model programs, Postpartum care, State initiatives

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024. Perinatal quality collaboratives . Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Annotation: This website explains how Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs) work to improve the quality of healthcare for mothers and babies. PCQs are networks of perinatal health care providers that include hospitals, clinicians, and public health professionals working to improve pregnancy outcomes through quality improvement initiatives and use of best available evidence-based strategies. The site includes a video introduction to PQCs; a webinar series; a guide to help states developed PQCs, success stories, journal articles, and links to additional resources.

Keywords: Collaboration, Infant health, Maternal health, Model programs, Perinatal care, Perinatal services, Quality assurance, Regional programs, State initiatives

Nijagal MA, Khoong EC, Sherwin EB, Lance E, Saleeby E, Williams AP, Thomas MR. 2024. Perinatal community health workers: Lessons From California. Washington, DC: Health Affairs ,

Annotation: This article examines lessons learned from California's experience with perinatal community health workers (CHWs) and provides recommendations for policy makers designing similar programs. It discusses how perinatal CHWs can help address disparities in maternal health outcomes by providing culturally appropriate support throughout pregnancy and postpartum periods. The authors, drawing from 15 years of experience in California's Medicaid system, outline key considerations including adequate reimbursement rates, payment flexibility for services provided in both clinical and community settings, program coordination to prevent inefficiencies, standardized data collection methods, and support systems to prevent CHW burnout. The document includes specific examples from programs at San Francisco General Hospital and Los Angeles County, and discusses implications for state Medicaid programs participating in CMS's new Transforming Maternal Health Model.

Keywords: Barriers, California, Community health workers, Maternal health, Models, Payment, Perinatal care, Policy development, Postpartum care, Reimbursement, State programs

Allen C; Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. 2024. You can't get there from here: Actionable strategies for rural perinatal health from IHS. Washington, DC: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health , (AIM for Safer Birth Podcast Series)

Annotation: In this episode of the AIM for Safer Birth podcast series, host Christie Allen continues her conversation with Dr. Tina Pattara-Lau, Maternal and Child Health Consultant at the Indian Health Service (IHS) as they explore the ongoing transformation of maternal health care within rural communities. Dr. Pattara-Lau delves deeper into the impact of culturally responsive care, the integration of traditional practices, and the expansion of telehealth services. They further discuss the strides being made in overcoming access barriers, fostering community trust, and implementing innovative care models tailored to the unique needs of American Indian/Alaska Native populations. The AIM for Safer Birth series dives deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

Keywords: Alaska natives, American Indians, Barriers, Community participation, Cultural sensitivity, Health care access, Initiatives, Model programs, Rural health

Allen C; Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. 2024. You can't get there from here: Rural perinatal health through the the IHS lens. Washington, DC: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health , (AIM for Safer Birth Podcast Series)

Annotation: Podcast host Christie Allen delves into the unique challenges and innovative solutions in rural and Indigenous maternal health care with Dr. Tina Pattara-Lau, Maternal and Child Health Consultant at the Indian Health Service (IHS). Dr. Pattara-Lau shares her experiences and insights on improving patient access to quality care through culturally safe practices, partnerships, and innovative models such as telehealth and community-based care. They discuss the systemic barriers, the importance of culturally safe practices, and the role of community partnerships in enhancing care for American Indian/Alaska Native populations, emphasizing the need for continuous quality improvement and sensitivity to cultural and traditional practices. This episode is part of the AIM series of podcasts that dive deeper into the rising severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality rates in the United States through a data-driven, quality improvement lens.

Keywords: Alaska natives, American Indians, Barriers, Community participation, Cultural sensitivity, Health care access, Initiatives, Model programs, Rural health

Allen C; Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. 2024. Tying it all together: The future of safer births and healthier outcomes. Washington, DC: Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health , (AIM for Safer Birth Podcast Series)

Annotation: In this season finale of AIM for Safer Birth 2024 podcast series, host Christie Allen is joined by Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell to reflect on key themes from the season, including rural maternity care, collaborative models, and the structural barriers impacting maternal health. They discuss the realities of hospital closures, the importance of integrating community birth centers, and the critical need for sustainability in quality improvement efforts. Dr. Gillispie-Bell shares insights on bridging gaps across disciplines, tackling systemic inequities, and how to keep patients' goals at the center of care. Plus, they dive into the transformative power of data and the lessons that can guide future improvements.

Keywords: Barriers, Collaboration, Data, Health equity, Maternal health, Model programs, Rural health, Service integration

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The MCH Library is one of six special collections at Georgetown University, the nation's oldest Jesuit institution of higher education. The library is supported through foundation, private, university, state, and federal funding. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Georgetown University or the U.S. Government. Note: web pages whose development was supported by federal government grants are being reviewed to comply with applicable Executive Orders.