Maternal & Child Health
Information about the programs supported by the Maternal and Child Health section
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Section supports a broad array of programs to improve the availability of and access to high quality preventive and primary health care for all children, and for the reproductive health care of all women and their partners, regardless of their ability to pay.
Statewide Priorities for the MCH Section
- Improve access to needed healthcare services for all MCH populations
- Decrease the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances among pregnant women
- Increase the focus of Title V on the Social Determinants of Health and the resolution of barriers impacting the health of the MCH population
- Improve access to mental health services for children, adolescents, and women in the perinatal period
- Decrease unintentional injury in children ages 0-21
- Increase family support and access to trained respite and childcare providers
- Improve access to standardized developmental screening, assessment, and follow-up for children and adolescents
How are the MCH services funded?
The MCH Section receives federal funds from the Title V Block Grant to support various MCH programs whose primary goals are to improve the health status of pregnant, women, mothers, infants, and children, including children with special health care needs.
- Read the NH Title V Block Grant summaries and full plan:
To provide input or feedback to the Title V Block Grant plan and activities, please email MCH@dhhs.nh.gov.
Child Fatality Review Committee
The Child Fatality Review Committee works to ensure the health and safety of the children of New Hampshire and to reduce the number of preventable child deaths by systematically reviewing the preventable deaths of New Hampshire children to identify and investigate risks and the service system responses.
Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI)
The Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Program offers training and support to local hospitals to help them provide hearing screening for every newborn infant. The program coordinates a network of Pediatric Audiology Diagnostic Centers to provide hearing testing for babies and young children who do not pass their hearing screening.
Learn more about the EHDI program
Family Planning Program
The Family Planning Program offers comprehensive, high quality reproductive health care including routine exams, preconception health care, pregnancy testing and counseling, screening for cervical and breast cancer, education on reproductive health and sexuality, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, as well as a wide range of contraceptive (birth control) methods.
Learn more about the Family Planning Program
Injury Prevention Program
The Injury Prevention Program provides leadership and support to community-based agencies to prevent intentional and unintentional injuries.
Learn more about the Injury Prevention Program
Newborn Screening Program
The Newborn Screening Program assures that all infants born in New Hampshire are screened for 37 potentially serious disorders and ensures immediate follow-up for abnormal results.
Learn more about the Newborn Screening Program
NH Maternal Mortality Review Committee (NH MMRC)
The NH Maternal Mortality Review Committee (NH MMRC) is a multidisciplinary committee that convenes at the state level to comprehensively review deaths that occur during or within a year of pregnancy (pregnancy-associated deaths).
Learn more about the NH MMRC
NH Mental Health Care Access in Pediatrics (NH MCAP) Program
The NH Mental Health Care Access in Pediatrics (NH MCAP) Program provides tele-consultation, training, technical assistance, and care coordination to pediatric primary care providers to diagnose, treat, and refer children and adolescents with behavioral health conditions.
Learn more about the NH MCAP Program
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)
The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a statewide survey that collects information on maternal behaviors and experiences just before, during and after pregnancy. The purpose of PRAMS is to improve the health of mothers and infants by reducing adverse outcomes of pregnancy, such as low birth weight, infant mortality and morbidity, and maternal morbidity.
Learn more about the PRAMS program
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) Program
The Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) Program offers information, support and resources to promote a safe sleep environment to family and care providers of infants who have died suddenly and unexpectedly, such as from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Learn more about the SUID Program