The mission of Maternal and Child Health is to improve the availability of and access to high quality preventive and primary health care for all children and to improve the availability of and access to reproductive health care for all women and their partners regardless of their ability to pay.  It is MCH's goal that every child in NH have the opportunity to grow up healthy.  To accomplish this mission MCH administers a broad array of programs. 

Community health agencies around the state receive funds through contracts with MCH to deliver services to pregnant women and their infants including prenatal care, child health services, family planning and home visiting services.  MCH staff develop program guidelines based on best practices and monitor the performance and quality of services delivered.  

In addition to these 4 major program areas MCH administers several other programs:

• The Injury Prevention Program provides leadership and support to NH government agencies and local initiatives to prevent intentional and unintentional injuries.
• The Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Program offers information, support and resources to family and care providers of infants suspected to have died of SIDS.
• The Newborn Screening Program monitors the blood screening of all infants born in NH for as many as 32 potentially serious disorders and ensures immediate follow-up for out of range results.
• The Adolescent Health Program defines the need and scope of adolescent health services in the state through a needs assessment and strategic planning process.  Funding local Abstinence education efforts is one of these services.
• The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program screens newborns for possible hearing loss or deafness to ensure timely and appropriate intervention.
• The Preschool Vision & Hearing Program conducts screening clinics throughout NH for children ages 3 1/2 to 6 years old and provides referrals and follow-up.
• Healthy Child Care New Hampshire seeks to improve the health and safety of child care through health consultation and education.