Search Results: MCHLine

Annotation: This roadmap provides detailed information on policies and strategies that foster nurturing environments for infants and toddlers and reduce disparities in access and outcomes. Published annually, the roadmap is designed to help state leaders (1) Assess the wellbeing of its infants and toddlers and prioritize state policy goals; (2) Identify evidence-based policy solutions proven to impact policy goals; (3) Monitor states’ adoption and implementation of effective policies and strategies; and (4) Track the impact that policy changes have on improving the wellbeing of children and families and reducing disparities between racial and ethnic groups. A summary of each state’s progress is included.

• 2024
• 2023

Keywords: Child health, Data collection, Early childhood development, Family leave, Health care access, Health status disparities, Home visits, Infant health, MCH programs, Policy, Prenatal care, State initiatives, State policy

Annotation: This electronic resource (1) explains why group prenatal care is an effective state strategy to impact access to needed maternal and child health care; (2) explains how and why group prenatal care varies widely across states; and (3) describes how state leaders can promote financial support for group prenatal care, provide enhanced reimbursement rates for group prenatal care through Medicaid, and serve pregnant women in a large number of group prenatal care sites across the state.

• Link

Keywords: Access to prenatal care, Peer groups, Policy development, Prenatal care, State initiatives

Annotation: This evidence review snapshot examines state policies that can reduce racial and ethnic disparities in childhood poverty during the prenatal-to-3 period. It presents three evidence-based policies that states can implement to support family economic wellbeing: raising the state minimum wage, implementing a refundable state earned income tax credit, and providing comprehensive paid family and medical leave benefits. The document details research findings showing how these policies reduce poverty rates, particularly among Black and Hispanic families, and explains how the policies can work together to enhance their impact on reducing economic disparities. It also briefly discusses emerging evidence for additional income support policies like cash transfer programs and child allowances, while noting the need for further research on their effectiveness.

• Link

Keywords: Children, Economic factors, Family support, Policy development, Poverty, State initiatives, State legislation

Annotation: This policy snapshot examines community-based doula policies across states as part of the 2024 Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap, identifying doulas as one of 12 evidence-based policies that impact the prenatal-to-3 system of care. The document explains that community-based doulas are trained social service professionals who provide non-clinical emotional, physical, and informational support to expectant parents from pregnancy through the postpartum period, and when integrated into larger support systems can improve child health outcomes, parenting behaviors, and birth outcomes. It identifies two key policy levers for states: expanding access through Medicaid coverage and reimbursement of doula services, and bolstering workforce sustainability through financial support for training and development. The snapshot shows which states cover and reimburse community-based doula services under Medicaid and which states provide financial support for doula training.

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Keywords: Access to health care, Community based services, Doulas, Medicaid, Policy development, Reimbursement, State policies, Statistics, Work force, trends

Annotation: This research brief provides an overview of funding mechanisms for state paid family and medical leave (PFML) programs in the United States. The brief explains that PFML programs are self-sustaining, funded through payroll contributions (premiums) from workers, employers, or both, with no ongoing state funding required. The document features diagrams showing funding flows, premium rates across states, and historical premium trends, highlighting that PFML premiums remain affordable, typically below 1% of wages. The brief details key policy decisions states must make regarding start-up funding, premium responsibility, contribution wage bases, small business exemptions, and premium caps. It includes several state policy spotlights, such as California's elimination of wage thresholds for premium collection and Minnesota's scaled premium reductions for small businesses. The document includes additional resources for policymakers considering PFML programs.

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Keywords: California, Employee assistance programs, Employee benefits, Family leave, Funding, Initiatives, Minnesota, Parental leave, Policy development, State programs

Annotation: This evidence review examines the effectiveness of evidence-based home visiting programs where trained professionals or paraprofessionals provide comprehensive in-home support and education to parents. The review focuses specifically on impacts on parenting outcomes among families with children under age 3, analyzing findings from five rigorous meta-analyses. These programs show small but positive effects on parenting skills and behaviors, though evidence is less consistent for other outcomes. As of 2021, evidence-based home visiting programs were implemented in all 50 states, five territories, and 122 tribal communities, serving over 277,000 families through more than 3 million home visits, though this represents only 0.16% of eligible families. States vary in their funding approaches, with some utilizing Medicaid, federal MIECHV grants, state funds, and other sources. The document explores program history, theoretical foundations, implementation models, funding mechanisms, and evidence of effectiveness, particularly highlighting impacts on nurturing parent-child relationships. It includes detailed state-by-state data on program reach and funding structures. The review concludes that while home visiting shows promise for improving parenting skills, more research is needed to identify the most effective program components and implementation strategies.

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Keywords: Evaluation, Home visiting, MCH programs, Parent support services, Parenting skills