Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant Program

The Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant Program is a federal-state partnership that is a key source of support for promoting and improving the health and well-being of the nation's mothers, children, including children with special needs, and their families.

Authorized under Title V of the 1935 federal Social Security Act, Title V was converted to a Block Grant Program in 1981. State allocations are determined by a formula that takes into consideration the proportion of the number of low-income children in a state compared to the total number of low-income children in the United States. In Minnesota, two-thirds of Minnesota's Title V award is distributed by formula to Community Health Boards.

The Title V MCH Block Grant Program requires that every $4 of federal Title V MCH Block Grant money must be matched by at least $3 of state and/or local money. The program also requires that a minimum of 30% of federal Title V MCH Block Grant funds be used to support services for children and youth with special health needs, and 30% of federal funds be used to provide preventive and primary care services for children.

Application and Annual Report

Each year, the Minnesota Department of Health reports on Minnesota's Title V MCH Block Grant program expenditures, activities, performance measures, and outcomes. Minnesota's most recent information can be found on the HRSA Maternal & Child Health website.

Needs Assessment

As a part of the Title V MCH Block Grant Program, every five years Minnesota is required to complete a comprehensive statewide needs assessment on the health and well-being of mothers, children and youth, including children and youth with special health needs, and their families. This assessment helps identify state MCH priority issues and provides direction for Title V MCH Block Grant activities.

More information on the needs assessment can be found on the Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment webpage.

Priority Areas

From the results of the 2020 Needs Assessment eleven priority areas were identified:

• Access to Services and Supports for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs: Ensuring all kids and families have what they need to thrive.
• Accessible and Affordable Health Care: Comprehensive, quality health care services, including Family Planning, that are available and affordable for all.
• Adolescent Suicide: Reducing the number of youth who take their own life.
• American Indian Family Health: Reducing disparities and supporting the well-being of American Indian families.
• Boys and Young Men: Protecting and promoting the physical, mental, and emotional health among people who identify as male.
• Care during Pregnancy and Delivery: Increasing accessible, quality health care during pregnancy and delivery.
• Comprehensive Early Childhood Systems: Ensuring Minnesota has inclusive systems that link young children and their families to all the support and services they need.
• Housing: Increasing safe, affordable, stable housing for all people living in Minnesota.
• Infant Mortality: Reducing the number of infants that die before their first birthday.
• Mental Well-Being: Ensuring all people living in Minnesota have the opportunity and skills to manage day-to-day stress, have meaningful relationships and contribute to their family and community. Including building resilience in those who experience childhood trauma.
• Parent and Caregiver Support: Supporting parents and caregivers socially and emotionally with family-focused activities, policies, and education.

More information on the 2021-2025 Title V Priorities can be found on the Priority Briefs and Data Stories webpage.

MCH Advisory Task Force

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Advisory Task Force authorized under M.S. 145.8811, advises the Commissioner of Health on improving the health of mothers and children, including children with special health care needs and their families. The MCH Advisory Task Force is comprised of 15 members representing MCH professionals, MCH consumers, and CHBs (M.S. 145A.02). Members are appointed to four-year terms.

More information on the task force can be found on the MCH Advisory Task Force webpage.

Grantee Information

In Minnesota, two-thirds of Minnesota’s Title V award is distributed by formula to Community Health Boards.

For information for grantee's can be found on the Grantee Information webpage.