What is Title V?
Title V is a federal block grant allocated to states and territories via the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Title V is the only federal program focusing on improving the health of all mothers, children, and families in the U.S.
Question: What is a block grant?
Answer: A block grant is flexible grant awarded by the federal government to states to address a specific challenge. Block grants require less federal oversight than other grant types, which allows funds to be used for each state's unique needs.
What is the purpose of Title V?
- To allow states & territories to allocate the Block Grant towards their communities’ immediate needs in their assessment of maternal and child health challenges
- Aims to improve access to prenatal & pediatric care, reduce gaps in infant & maternal mortality rates, support children & youth with special healthcare needs, & strengthen community-based health programs
- Addresses external influences in health outcomes related to pregnancy, birth, & infant health
- Complements federally funded programs including community health centers, Healthy Start, WIC, autism initiatives, CHIP, & Medicaid
Title V in California:
Title V in California is administered by the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division of the California Department of Public Health, which serves 61 local health jurisdictions, comprising 58 counties and 3 cities. In California, Title V supports programs like the Black Infant Health Program, Cal-InSPIRE, and Adolescent Family Life Program.
The Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Division of the California Department of Public Health’s MCAH Division receives funding from the state budget & from the federal government to disburse to local health-related entities. Image Credit: Sanjam Jajj, UC Berkeley School of Public Health
Title V in the Bay Area
Workforce development programs like the CoE in MCAH and LEAP are funded under Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS), which are HRSA grants that are authorized under Title V. Over the years, SPRANS funding has been impacted by the governing powers of Congress. Read more at AMCHP Policy Alerts to learn about the latest updates to MCH funding.
Title V Internship Program
The National MCH Workforce Development Center runs a yearly, paid internship program that places MCH students with state and local Title V agencies, funded by Title V. Read on to learn how UC Berkeley Students have made an impact for MCAH populations through their participation in the national Title V Internship program.