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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 (236 total).

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Maternity Care Clinical Recommendations and Guidelines. Series; Multiple Dates. Maternity care clinical recommendations & guidelines. Shawnee Mission, KS: American Academy of Family Physicians,

Annotation: These clinical preventive service recommendations provide guidance on topics ranging from preeclampsia to neural tube defects that can help support evidence-based decisions.

Contact: American Academy of Family Physicians, 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Leawood, KS 66211-2680 , Telephone: (913) 906-6000 Secondary Telephone: (800) 274-2237 Fax: E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.aafp.org

Keywords: Guidelines, Maternity and infant care, Newborns, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prenatal care

Postpartum Progress. n.d.. Clinical tools for postpartum depression. [no place]: Postpartum Progress, multiple items.

Annotation: These resources for clinicians involved in the care of pregnant and postpartum women include position papers, algorithms, toolkits, guidelines for treatment, screening tools, research on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, professional organizations, training and continuing education, books, and other resources. Information and peer support for pregnant and new moms with postpartum depression and other mental illnesses related to pregnancy and childbirth are also available from the website.

Contact: Postpartum Progress, E-mail: https://postpartumprogress.com/contact Web Site: http://www.postpartumprogress.com Available from the website.

Keywords: Childbirth, Mental disorders, Mental health, Perinatal bereavement, Perinatal health, Perinatal influences, Postpartum care, Postpartum depression, Postpartum women, Pregnancy, Pregnant women, Puerperal disorders, Resources for professionals, Women', s health

Ariadne Labs. n.d.. TeamBirth Prenatal Booklet . Boston, MA: Ariadne Labs, 20 pp.

Annotation: This booklet introduces expectant parents, doulas, childbirth educators, and clinical staff to TeamBirth, a collaborative approach that promotes patient involvement in pregnancy and childbirth decisions. It provides a structured format for communication between patients and their care team through regular "huddles" and a shared whiteboard system. The booklet includes sections on documenting pregnancy experiences, planning for different stages of labor and delivery, identifying preferences for pain management and birth support, and reflecting on the birth experience afterward. Practical tools include checklists for labor support options, discussion guides for admission and assisted delivery scenarios, and suggested questions to help patients advocate for themselves during the birth process. The booklet emphasizes that patients are essential members of the care team and encourages them to share their preferences, ask questions, and participate in decisions throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum care. Available in both English and Spanish.

Contact: Ariadne Labs, 401 Park Drive, Third Floor WEST , Boston, MA 02115, Telephone: (617) 384-6555 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.ariadnelabs.org/

Keywords: Childbirth, Collaboration, Labor, Patient education, Patient-centered care, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prenatal care

Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative. n.d.. Schedule early maternal health safety checks to improve postpartum care. Chicago, IL: Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative, 2 pp.

Annotation: This fact sheet from the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative (ILPQC) promotes scheduling early maternal health safety checks within two weeks postpartum to improve care for new mothers. It presents data showing that 80% of pregnancy-associated deaths in Illinois between 2014-2016 occurred in the year following birth, with 24% occurring within 42 days postpartum before the traditional six-week visit. The fact sheet outlines key elements of these early postpartum safety checks, describes the aim and strategies of the ILPQC Improving Postpartum Access to Care (IPAC) Initiative launched in May 2019, and shares early successes from participating hospitals.

Contact: Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative , c/o Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 633 N. St. Clair, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, E-mail: https://ilpqc.org/contact-us/ Web Site: https://ilpqc.org/

Keywords: Illinois, Perinatal care: Postpartum care: Safety, Quality improvement, Standards, State initiatives

Illinois Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative . n.d.. Discharge planning and ongoing services and supports for postpartum patients. Chicago, IL: Illinois Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative , 3 pp.

Annotation: This document provides guidance from the Indiana Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (IPQIC) on standardizing discharge planning and referrals to ongoing services and support for postpartum patients with substance use disorders. It outlines recommended hospital procedures, including urine drug screening, monitoring for withdrawal symptoms, offering medication-assisted treatment, and providing referrals to treatment programs and resources. The document emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive discharge plan that includes outpatient follow-up with pediatric, substance use, and primary care providers, as well as newborn safe sleep education and contraception planning. Additional resources are provided for further information and referrals.

Contact: Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative , c/o Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 633 N. St. Clair, 20th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, E-mail: https://ilpqc.org/contact-us/ Web Site: https://ilpqc.org/

Keywords: Guidelines, Indiana, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, Standards, State initiatives

Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Public Health. n.d.. Becoming a Mom®. Topeka, KS: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Public Health, 2 pp.

Annotation: This infographic presents data from the Kansas Perinatal Community Collaborative on their implementation of the March of Dimes' Becoming a Mom (BaM) prenatal education curriculum. It describes the evidence-based program's three-fold approach to perinatal care, education, and support, including its cognitive and behavioral compoments. The infographic compares demographic characteristics of mothers participating in the BaM program, shares self-reported outcomes and behaviors of program participants, and highlights key infant health metrics for BaM mothers compared to statewide data.

Contact: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Public Health, 1000 S.W. Jackson, Suite 540, Topeka, KS 66612-0461, Telephone: (785) 296-0461 Fax: (785) 368-6368 Web Site: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/157/Division-of-Public-Health

Keywords: Educational materials, Infant health, Maternal health, Patient education, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prenatal care

Ohio Perinatal Mental Health Task Force. n.d.. Perinatal mental health screening protocol and briefing. Columbus, OH: Ohio Perinatal Mental Health Task Force , 26 pp.

Annotation: This perinatal mental health screening protocol and briefing guide is designed to provide a culturally responsive framework for screening Black birthing persons. The protocol aims to address the urgent need for improved screening and quality care for this population, which is at higher risk for perinatal depression and anxiety. Informed by focus groups with Black birthing people, Black birth workers, perinatal service providers, and a literature review, the guide outlines five key steps for conducting screenings: fostering an atmosphere of trust and safety, starting a conversation, providing choice and transparency, discussing results with patients, and making referrals with follow-through. The briefing includes considerations for providers before screening, such as assessing biases, serving with cultural humility, understanding community fears and stigma, and recognizing common phrases used to indicate anxiety or depression. The protocol also provides guidance on establishing an organizational screening process and building culturally responsive referral partnerships.

Contact: Ohio Perinatal Mental Health Task Force , Mental Health of America , Columbus, OH E-mail: https://ohiopmhtaskforce.com/#contact Web Site: https://ohiopmhtaskforce.com/

Keywords: Blacks, Child birth, Culutral sensitivity, Mental health, Ohio, Perinatal care, Protocol, Quality improvement, Screening, State initiatives

UMass Chan Medical School. n.d.. Resources for Integrating Perinatal Mental Health Care Into Obstetric Settings. Worcester, MA: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, (Worcester, MA: )

Annotation: This web page from the Lifeline for Moms program at UMass Chan Medical School provides resources to help obstetric settings integrate perinatal mental health care into their everyday workflow. The main resource is an Overview Guide, available in two versions: a self-guided version and a remote support version that includes additional materials for virtual meetings with Lifeline for Moms consultants. The Guide includes assessment documents, tools for scheduling implementation and creating practice goals, workflow documents, screeners and scorers for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and self-harm, and resources for developing referral directories and patient handouts. The page also offers an Obstetric Care Clinician Packet with reference materials and patient handouts, as well as a 4-part online training module for obstetric care clinicians and staff. Individual files for each component of the Guide are available for download.

Contact: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, Telephone: (508)856-8989 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.umassmed.edu/

Keywords: Mental health, Obstetrical care, Perinatal care, Resources for professionals, Service integration

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Public Health; Vijaya K Hogan (VKH) Consulting LLC; et al. n.d.. Birth equity action map . Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs,

Annotation: The Birth Equity Action Map is an interactive mapping tool that describes urgent actions needed by specific system actors (i.e., birth equity partners) to improve birth and racial equity, and it highlights where the system funders can use their leverage to accelerate birth equity. The tool is designed to accelerate the work of communities, coalitions, and funders in strategically assessing their efforts, identifying opportunities, and committing to specific actions to strengthen the birth equity and early childhood ecosystem.

Contact: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 1825 K Street, N.W., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006-1202, Telephone: (202) 775-0436 Fax: (202) 478-5120 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.amchp.org

Keywords: Access to health care, Childbirth, Health care disparities, Health care systems, Health equity, Interactive media, Maps, Maternal health, Perinatal care

Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors. 2025. Best practice approach: Perinatal oral health (upd. ed.). Reno, NV: Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors; Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, 20 pp. (Best practice approaches for state and community oral health programs)

Annotation: This report provides a description of perinatal oral health, including its significance and background, barriers to accessing oral health care for this population, and a strategic framework for improving perinatal oral health. It also includes guidelines and recommendations, research evidence, and state practice examples.

Contact: Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, 3858 Cashill Boulevard, Reno, NV 89509, Telephone: (775) 626-5008 Fax: (775) 626-9268 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.astdd.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Access to health care, Barriers, Infant health, Initiatives, Oral health, Perinatal health, Pregnant women

Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, Dental Public Health Policy Committee. 2025. Policy statement: Perinatal oral health (rev. ed.). Reno, NV: Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors; Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center, 7 pp.

Annotation: This updated report offers information about oral health for women during the perinatal period and discusses problems related to women's oral health and their ability to access oral health care during this period. A strategic framework for improving perinatal oral health, based on core public health activities, is presented, and a policy statement is included.

Contact: Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, 3858 Cashill Boulevard, Reno, NV 89509, Telephone: (775) 626-5008 Fax: (775) 626-9268 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.astdd.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Access to health care, Infant health, Oral health, Perinatal care, Pregnant women, Prevention, Public policy , Treatment

U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau. 2025. Healthy Start. Rockville, MD: Health Resources and Services Administration,

Annotation: This website provides information about the Healthy Start program, administered by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), that works to improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy in high-risk communities. The program focuses on enhancing mothers' health, preventing infant death, and eliminating health disparities through comprehensive, personalized care. The website offers several key resources, including a downloadable Healthy Start Fact Sheet providing program overview, links to evaluation reports showing program effectiveness, information about the Healthy Start EPIC Center for training and technical assistance, and access to the CAREWare database system for data management. Visitors can also find a program locator tool to find local Healthy Start sites, details about grant awards from 2019-2024 (including specific community-based doula initiatives), and contact information for additional questions. The site highlights program accomplishments, showing that Healthy Start participants receive early prenatal care, well-woman visits, and depression/interpersonal violence screenings at higher rates than national averages. The website also explains the structure of the Community Consortium approach and describes the Alumni Peer Navigator initiative that employs former program participants to help current families access needed services.

Contact: U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, Secondary Telephone: (833)852-6262 Web Site: https://mchb.hrsa.gov

Keywords: Health care disparities, Health promotion, Healthy Start, Infant health services, Infant mortality, Maternal health services, Perinatal care, Prevention

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.

Contact: California Department of Health Care Services, P.O. Box 997413, MS 4400, Sacramento,, CA 95899-7413 , Fax: E-mail: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/contact_us.aspx Web Site: https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/

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

Maven Clinic . 2025. Maven’s state of women’s & family health benefits: How rising costs and evolving needs are reshaping workplace benefits . New York, NY: Maven Clinic, 35 pp.

Annotation: This report presents findings on the state of women's and family health benefits in the workplace based on two surveys conducted in October-November 2024. It addresses challenges facing employees and employers, including rising healthcare costs, burnout among working parents, and increased anxiety around reproductive health. The report highlights how companies are responding through expanded benefits, with 69% planning to increase family health benefits vendors in the coming years. It discusses the benefits of offering comprehensive women's and family health support, including improved employee retention and reduced healthcare costs. The report includes specific statistics on employer and employee priorities, testimonials from benefits leaders, and guidance for designing effective family benefits programs. Sections cover topics such as fertility support, parenting challenges, men's reproductive health, and the role of digital health solutions in improving outcomes.

Contact: Maven Clinic, , New York, NY 10013, E-mail: https://www.mavenclinic.com/contact Web Site: https://www.mavenclinic.com/

Keywords: Employer health costs, Family support services, Health Benefits Plans, Employee, Insurance benefits, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Reproductive health services, Statistics, Surveys, Trends, Women', Workplace health promotion, s health

Pedersen S, Cohen A, Lally H, Ramos C, Hafner M. 2025. State Medicaid coverage of evidence-based perinatal services varies widely. Arlington, VA: Health Research and Policy Center, 14 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief analyzes state Medicaid coverage of evidence-based perinatal services that can improve maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly during the postpartum period. The document examines coverage across four categories of services including alternative models of care delivery, whole-person wraparound care, mental and behavioral health support, and lactation support beyond the hospital. It finds wide variation in Medicaid coverage of these evidence-based perinatal services across states, with only 11 states requiring and reimbursing maternal depression screening during well-child visits and significant differences between Medicaid expansion and non-expansion states. The analysis emphasizes that despite growing recognition of postpartum care importance, state variation in Medicaid coverage likely influences maternal health outcomes and worsens place-based disparities.

Contact: Health Research and Policy Center, American Institutes for Research , 1400 Crystal Drive, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202-3289,

Keywords: Evidence based medicine, Health policy, Medicaid, Perinatal care, Postartum care, Reimbursement, State MCH programs, Statistics

Alabama Arise. 2025. The Alabama maternal health toolkit. Montogomery, AL: Alabama Arise, 16 pp.

Annotation: This toolkit for pregnant women and new mothers provides comprehensive information on accessing Medicaid coverage and maternal health services in the state of Alabama. It addresses Alabama's maternal health challenges, including the state's high maternal mortality rate and significant disparities affecting Black women. The toolkit outlines Medicaid eligibility criteria for pregnant women and describes the comprehensive services covered during preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods (extended to one full year after childbirth). It provides step-by-step enrollment instructions, required documentation, and contact information for assistance. The document describes maternity care access challenges in Alabama, noting that 8.9% of births occur in maternity care deserts and highlighting hospital closures affecting rural areas. It presents various state programs and initiatives working to improve maternal health outcomes, including the Alabama Maternal Health Task Force, Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Birmingham Healthy Start Plus.

Contact: Alabama Arise, 400 South Union Street, Suite 495, Montgomery, AL 36104, Web Site: https://alarise.org/

Keywords: Alabama, Eligibility, Legislation, Medicaid, Patient education, Perinatal care, Pregnancy, postpartum care, state programs

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia. 2025. Navigating cultural competency on types of perinatal support. Atlanta, GA: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, 24 pp.

Annotation: This toolkit for families describes the different types of perinatal care available and offers guidance on finding providers who will honor and respect their cultural backgrounds during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period in Georgia. It defines cultural competence and cultural sensitivity in healthcare settings and provides key considerations when choosing providers such as insurance acceptance, accessibility, values alignment, and cultural appropriateness of support services. The toolkit describes the benefits of various perinatal support providers including midwives, obstetricians/gynecologists, pelvic floor therapists, prenatal massage therapists, maternal mental health therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, lactation consultants, and doulas, with specific provider referrals for each type throughout Georgia. It includes a list of organizations that provide referrals and resources, emphasizing the importance of respectful, culturally responsive perinatal support that meets families' unique cultural traditions and needs.

Contact: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia , 91 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Suite C-103, Atlanta, GA 30312, Telephone: (770)451-0020 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.hmhbga.org/

Keywords: Cultural sensitivity, Culturally competence services, Families, Georgia, Labor, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Pregnancy, Prenatal care, State initiatives

Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program (MDMOM). 2025. Maryland maternal health resource map. Baltimore, MD: Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program (MDMOM),

Annotation: This interactive map displays resources and services available to pregnant and postpartum women and their families in Maryland. Users can click on more than two dozen categories, including CenteringPregnancy sites, birthing hospitals, family planning clinics, home visiting programs, and care coordination and navigation services, to learn where in the state they can locate assistance. Resources listed on the map have been verified and confirmed to be offering the services listed and, where applicable, with licensed and credentialed human resources at the time of the last update (posted on the site). The map was developed at the recommendation of the Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Task Force as part of the Maryland Maternal Health Innovation program (MDMOM) funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Contact: MDMOM, Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program , Baltimore, MD E-mail: https://mdmom.org/contact-us Web Site: https://mdmom.org/

Keywords: Access to care, Health services, Maps, Maryland, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prenatal care, Resource materials, State initiatives

Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative. 2025. Cardiac conditions in obstetric care resource workbook. Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, 16 pp.

Annotation: This workbook provides guidance for implementing evidence-based practices to improve care for pregnant and postpartum individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD). It summarizes the evidence on the significant risks of CVD in pregnancy, which can exacerbate pre-existing conditions or lead to new disorders due to the hemodynamic changes of pregnancy. The workbook presents data from Missouri's Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review, finding that CVD accounted for 30% of pregnancy-related deaths from 2017-2021, with most deemed preventable and Black women disproportionately impacted. To address this crisis, the AIM Cardiac Conditions in Obstetric Care patient safety bundle components are provided, with detailed strategies for implementing universal cardiac risk screening, rapid response protocols, cardio-obstetric teams, care coordination, patient education, and equity-focused data monitoring. Emphasis is placed on early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment to prevent complications and death. Resources and references are included for further training and implementation.

Contact: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative , Missouri PQC, Missouri Hospital Association , 4712 Country Club Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109-4541, Telephone: 573-893-3700 E-mail: https://mopqc.org/contact Web Site: https://mopqc.org

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, Evidence-based medicine, Guidelines, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Missouri, Obstetrical complications, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Prevention, Quality improvement, Resources for professionals, State initiatives

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2025. Telehealth and postpartum care. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

Annotation: This webpage discusses how telehealth can help address barriers to postpartum care, such as the cost and time associated with travel to in-person appointments, inability to drive after childbirth, and lack of childcare. It outlines potential postpartum telehealth services, including general health check-ins, lactation support, screening and treatment for postpartum depression, therapy appointments, and referrals to specialists. The page also spotlights Centerstone, a HRSA-funded program in Tennessee that has successfully used telehealth to reduce infant mortality and racial disparities in prenatal care by increasing access to visits and education programs.

Contact: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20201, Telephone: (877) 696-6775 Web Site: http://www.hhs.gov

Keywords: Barriers, Maternal health, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Telehealth, Tennessee, state programs

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The MCH Digital Library is one of six special collections at Geogetown University, the nation's oldest Jesuit institution of higher education. The library is supported through foundation, univerity, state, and federal funding. 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 the U.S. Government. Note: web pages whose development was supported by federal government grants are being reviewed to comply with applicable Executive Orders.