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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 (225 total).

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. n.d.. Adolescent health system capacity assessment tool. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 98 pp.

National Network of Public Health Institutes. n.d.. Quality improvement. New Orleans, LA: National Network of Public Health Institutes,

Annotation: This toolkit features a variety of resources and tools -- including presentations, samples, and guides -- on the topic of quality improvement (QI). The items are grouped into the following categories: Introduction to QI, QI plans, QI leadership, managing QI collaboratives, building QI cultures, data and measurement, and QI tools and frameworks,

Contact: National Network of Public Health Institutes, 1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1200, New Orleans, LA 70112, Telephone: (888)996-6744 Secondary Telephone: (504)301-9820 Fax: (504) 301-9820 Web Site: http://www.nnphi.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Program improvement, Public health, Quality assurance

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

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

Diana Forester D, Cornelius C. n.d.. Initial findings on implementation of 12-month postpartum health coverage in Texas. Austin, TX: Texans Care for Children, 9 pp.

Annotation: This brief presents initial findings from interviews with providers and mothers with Medicaid in Texas about the implementation of the state's Medicaid 12-month postpartum extension. Interviewees identified significant implementation challenges, including lack of awareness, confusion about which providers should serve postpartum women, and administrative hurdles. The document also highlights the need for more mental health supports for new mothers and additional Medicaid benefits and providers, particularly in rural areas. It offers policy recommendations to increase awareness of the postpartum benefit, support mental health through community programs, and improve access to services and providers in the Medicaid network.

Contact: Texans Care for Children, 811 Trinity, Suite A, Austin, TX 78701, Telephone: (512) 473-2274 Fax: (512) 473-2173 E-mail: http://texanscareforchildren.org/EmailUs.asp Web Site: http://www.texanscareforchildren.org

Keywords: Healthcare reform, Interviews, Medicaid, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, State initiatives, Texas

American Hospital Association . n.d.. Best practices for equitable maternal care . Chicago, IL: American Hospital Association, 3 pp.

Annotation: This resource outlines best practices for equitable maternal care, addressing the disparities experienced by women of color, particularly given the near 40% increase in maternal mortality since 2020. It identifies both individual-level strategies, such as screening and documenting social needs and practicing empathy, and systemic efforts, including offering implicit bias training, integrating health equity into quality improvement processes, and diversifying the maternal care workforce. The resource features hospitals in action, describing programs like the HoPE Doula Program and the Swedish Doula Services Program, which integrate community-based doulas to provide continuous support, advocacy, and connection to resources for pregnant and postpartum families. Additionally, it details the University of Chicago’s STAMPP-HTN (Systematic Treatment and Management of Postpartum Hypertension) program, a quality improvement bundle utilizing nurse educators and remote blood pressure monitors to improve immediate postpartum care for women with hypertensive disorders, which successfully eliminated follow-up disparities among Black and White women.

Contact: American Hospital Association, 155 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606, Telephone: (312) 422-3000 Secondary Telephone: Fax: (312) 422-4796 E-mail: Web Site: http://www.aha.org

Keywords: Community based services, Doulas, Health care disparities, Health equity, Hypertension, Maternal health, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, Resources for professionals

United States of Care. n.d.. A roadmap: Building a path to better postpartum care. Washington, DC: United States of Care, 5 pp.

Holt K, Kolo S, Louie R. 2025. Title V national performance measure on preventive dental visit: Strategies for success. Washington, DC: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, 23 pp.

Annotation: This practice guide provides information to help state Title V maternal and child health programs in their implementation of the national performance measure on preventive dental visit. It also provides sample evidence-based or evidence-informed strategy measures (ESMs), possible data sources for ESMs, and a list of resources. Programs can also use this information to assist in the implementation of oral-health-related state performance measures. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

Contact: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: https://www.mchoralhealth.org Available from the website.

Keywords: Oral health, Pregnant women, Prevention, Quality improvement, State programs, Telehealth, Title V programs

Espinosa S, Gilburg ML, McDonald M . 2025. Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative convening, part 2. New York, NY: Milbank Memorial Fund, 9 pp.

Annotation: This report summarizes the second meeting of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's Secretary's Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative, held January 10, 2025. The document describes how six states (Iowa, New Mexico, Minnesota, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Michigan) implemented evidence-based practices over a 10-month period to reduce postpartum morbidity and mortality. Three states focused on mental health and substance use disorders while three addressed cardiovascular conditions. The report details specific state-level initiatives, including improved screening, care coordination, and follow-up processes, highlighting successful cross-sector collaborations between state health departments, Medicaid agencies, healthcare facilities, and community organizations. Key insights include the importance of standardizing care pathways while tailoring patient engagement strategies, leveraging quality improvement initiatives, and investing in data infrastructure. The document concludes with lessons learned about the benefits of cross-state collaboration and federal technical assistance in implementing facility-level changes that can improve maternal health outcomes.

Contact: Milbank Memorial Fund, 645 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10022-1095, Telephone: (212) 355-8400 Fax: (212) 355-8599 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.milbank.org

Keywords: Collaboration, Conference proceedings, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maternal health, Michigan , Minnesota, Models, New Mexico, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, Standards

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

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

Belton H. 2025. Improving consistency in midwifery-led postpartum patient education on the day-of-discharge: a quality improvement project. Oregon Health and Sciences University , 55 pp.

Annotation: This doctoral paper describes the development and implementation of a quality improvement initiative to improve the consistency of midwifery-led postpartum patient education on the day of hospital discharge. Guided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Model for Improvement framework and the Knowledge to Action Framework, the project involved creating a comprehensive postpartum patient education handout, modifying the existing discharge summary documentation template, and altering the midwifery postpartum workflow. The project was conducted over two Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles in a faculty midwifery practice at a large urban academic hospital in the Pacific Northwest. Key findings demonstrated increased documentation of postpartum education, with 100% of discharge summaries utilizing the standardized template post-intervention. The project highlights the importance of improving consistency in discharge education to enhance maternal health outcomes, provider workflow, and health equity in postpartum care.

Keywords: Midwifery, Patient discharge, Patient educatiton materials, Postpartum care, Quality improvement

Reyna S, Anderson S, Yang S, Rosenbach M. 2024. Recommendations for improving oral health care access, quality, and outcomes and advancing equity in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program . Princeton, NJ: Mathematica, 35 pp.

Annotation: This report describes the framework that the 2023 Medicaid and CHIP Oral Health Initiative (OHI) Workgroup used to set priorities for improving oral health care access, quality, and outcomes and advancing health equity in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The report also summarizes workgroup input for the following focus areas: strategic priorities, strategies, and measures for monitoring progress for the next phase of the OHI. It provides background on why good oral health is important and about what the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has done to achieve the goal of improving oral health care for Americans, as well as about the workgroup’s charge.

Contact: Mathematica , P.O. Box 2393, Princeton, NJ 08543-2393, Telephone: (609) 799-3535 Fax: (609) 799-0005 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.mathematica-mpr.com Available from the website.

Keywords: Access to oral health care, Medicaid: Children', Oral health, Quality improvement, s Health Insurance Program

Silverman K, Benyo A. 2024. Building healthy futures: Addressing mental health and substance use disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. Hamilton, NJ: Center for Health Care Strategies, 26 pp.

Annotation: This report examines the critical impact of mental health and substance use disorders on maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States, highlighting how suicide and substance use-related overdoses account for over 20 percent of postpartum deaths. It presents promising approaches from states including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, New Hampshire, and California that integrate maternity care with behavioral health services and social supports. The report outlines six key recommendations for improving care: supporting dedicated multidisciplinary care teams, centering people with lived experience to drive health equity, normalizing substance use care, training all staff on bias and stigma, expanding the community-based workforce including doulas and peer recovery specialists, and implementing harm reduction and street medicine approaches. The authors emphasize that with nearly every state now providing 12 months of postpartum Medicaid coverage, there are unprecedented opportunities to implement integrated, trauma-informed, non-punitive care models that can significantly reduce maternal mortality and improve outcomes for families.

Contact: Center for Health Care Strategies, 300 American Metro Boulevard, Suite 125, Hamilton, NJ 08619, Telephone: (609) 528-8400 Fax: (609) 586-3679 Web Site: http://www.chcs.org

Keywords: Substance abusing pregnant women, Community participation, Disorders, Health care reform, Initiatives, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortality, Medicaid, Mental health, Model programs, Perinatal addiction, Perinatal care, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, Risk factors, Service integration, Substance use disorders

Espinosa S, Gilburg ML, McDonald M . 2024. Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative Convening. New York, NY: Milbank Memorial Fund, 9 pp.

Annotation: This report summarizes key findings from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's Postpartum Maternal Health Collaborative Expert Evidence Convening held in April 2024. The document synthesizes insights from four expert panels focused on reducing postpartum mortality, covering mental health and substance use disorder, community and social drivers of health, clinical care, and state-level policy opportunities. The report identifies seven key themes for state policy action, including enabling better care transitions with technology and patient-specific planning, providing resources before screening for social needs, ensuring cross-sector collaboration, incorporating community engagement, supporting quality improvement initiatives, implementing patient-centered care approaches, and investing in data infrastructure. Panel discussions revealed strategies such as implementing non-punitive child welfare policies, reimbursing integrated healthcare and telehealth services, extending postpartum coverage, bundling care incentives, and addressing systems barriers including access limitations, provider competency gaps, and cultural barriers that impact maternal health outcomes.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

Contact: Milbank Memorial Fund, 645 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10022-1095, Telephone: (212) 355-8400 Fax: (212) 355-8599 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.milbank.org

Keywords: Collaboration, Conference proceedings, Indiana, Maternal health, Mental health, Models, Pennsylvania, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, State initiatives

Allen EH, Haley JM, Verdeflor A, Dudley K. 2024. Improving maternal health and wellbeing through Medicaid/CHIP postpartum coverage extensions. Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 34 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief examines the implementation of Medicaid/CHIP postpartum coverage extensions from 60 days to 12 months after pregnancy in five states. Based on interviews with 37 maternal health stakeholders, the authors identify key challenges and opportunities to maximize the impact of these extensions on maternal health outcomes. The report finds that while eligibility systems are functioning, limited communication about extended coverage and barriers to accessing care may reduce effectiveness. The authors recommend specific actions to improve implementation, including expanding education about extended coverage, improving quality of postpartum care, supporting continuity of care with a focus on equity, strengthening managed care organization accountability, and monitoring implementation progress. This policy analysis emphasizes that while extending coverage is necessary for improving maternal health outcomes, additional delivery system reforms are needed to address persistent racial and ethnic disparities and ensure coverage translates into access to quality care throughout the postpartum year.

Contact: Urban Institute, 500 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, DC 20024, E-mail: https://www.urban.org/about/contact-us Web Site: http://www.urban.org

Keywords: Barriers, Children', Health care delivery, Health care reform, Health equity, Maternal health, Medicaid, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Policy development, Postpartum care, Quality Assurance, Quality improvement, South Carolina, State initiatives, and Virginia, s Health Insurance Program

Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative. 2024. Obstetric hemorrhage resource workbook. Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, 16 pp.

Annotation: The workbook outlines evidence-based practices for improving recognition of and response to obstetric hemorrhage, including hemorrhage risk assessments categorized as low, medium, and high risk that should be completed on admission, during labor, and post-delivery. It emphasizes the critical importance of quantification of blood loss using volumetric containers, weighing scales, or computerized image recognition rather than estimation, as postpartum hemorrhage occurs in about 40% of low-risk birthing people. The workbook presents the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Patient Safety Bundle components, which include stage-based management plans, hemorrhage supply carts, immediate access to hemorrhage medications, standardized education for obstetric teams, multidisciplinary drills, and case review processes. It addresses Missouri-specific data showing obstetric hemorrhage as the fourth leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths from 2018-2020, with significant racial disparities in transfusion rates, and notes that between 54% to 90% of hemorrhage-related deaths are preventable. The workbook includes extensive resources for implementation including assessment tools, quantification worksheets, stage-based guidelines, simulation training materials, and patient debriefing forms, and provides trauma-informed guidance for supporting patients and families after hemorrhage events.

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: Emergency medical services, Hemorrhage, Missouri, Obstetric care, Obstetric complications, Postpartum hemorrhage, Quality improvement, State MCH Programs

Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative. 2024. Postpartum discharge transition resource workbook. Jefferson City, MO: Missouri Perinatal Quality Collaborative, 16 pp.

Annotation: This workbook provides guidance for implementing evidence-based practices to improve postpartum care during the transition from hospital discharge to outpatient follow-up. It summarizes trends in U.S. maternal mortality, with more than 50% of pregnancy-related deaths occurring in the postpartum period. The workbook outlines ACOG's updated recommendations for postpartum care as an ongoing process through 12 weeks after birth, including an initial visit within 3 weeks and a comprehensive visit by 12 weeks. It presents Missouri-specific data on the timing and causes of pregnancy-related deaths, low postpartum visit attendance rates, and shortages of obstetric and mental health providers. Key objectives and strategies are provided for improving postpartum transitions, such as implementing discharge templates and processes, increasing postpartum visit attendance, screening for medical and mental health conditions, providing linkages to specialist and community-based care, and leveraging Medicaid coverage extensions. The AIM Postpartum Discharge Transition Bundle components and resources for implementation are included.

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: Guidelines, Health care disparities, Missouri, Patient discharge, Postpartum care, Quality improvement, State initiatives

Oregon Perinatal Collaborative. 2024. Severe hypertension in pregnancy and postpartum toolkit. Oregon Perinatal Collaborative , 40 pp.

Annotation: This toolkit from the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative provides guidance for clinical and non-clinical teams caring for pregnant and postpartum individuals with hypertensive disorders to improve processes, outcomes, and clinical decision-making, and to promote quality and equity in care. Organized around the "5 R's" framework (Readiness, Recognition & Prevention, Response, Reporting & Systems Learning, and Respectful, Equitable, and Supportive Care), the toolkit offers specific recommendations and resources for various settings, including hospitals, emergency departments, prenatal/postpartum clinics, public health home visiting, doulas, and community midwives. Quality improvement tools and operational considerations are included to support implementation. The toolkit was developed with input from a focus group of Black, Indigenous, and Pacific Islander individuals who experienced pregnancy-related severe hypertension or preeclampsia in Oregon, and their insights and recommendations are summarized in the appendix. Additional resources, such as diagnostic criteria for hypertensive disorders, are also provided.

Contact: Oregon Perintal Collaborative , OR E-mail: https://oregonperinatalcollaborative.org/contact/ Web Site: https://oregonperinatalcollaborative.org/

Keywords: Hypertension, Oregon, Postpartum care, Prenatal care, Quality improvement, State initiatives

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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.