What is Title V?
The Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant is a federal block grant administered by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Title V provides funding to states and jurisdictions to improve the health of all mothers, children, and their families. Title V is the only federal program focusing on improving the health of all mothers, children, and families in the United States.
- 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?
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Provides funding that allows states and jurisdictions to direct Title V resources toward the maternal and child health priorities identified through their statewide needs assessment.
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Improves access to prenatal, maternal, and pediatric care; reduces gaps in infant and maternal mortality and morbidity; supports children and youth with special healthcare needs; and strengthens community-based maternal and child health programs.
- Addresses external factors that influence pregnancy, birth, and infant health outcomes.
- Complements federally funded programs including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) , Healthy Start, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), autism initiatives, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and 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 and 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
These workforce development programs are HRSA grants funded under Special Projects of Regional and National Significance (SPRANS). SPRANS funding is based on congressional appropriations and federal priorities. Read more at AMCHP Policy Alerts to learn about the latest updates to MCH funding.
Title V MCH 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. The aim of the Title V MCH Internship Program is to provide future MCH professionals with experience working in state and jurisdictional Title V agencies, with mentorship and guidance from Title V agency preceptors. Read on to learn about UC Berkeley MCAH students experiences in the national Title V MCH Internship program.