Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant

Title V was enacted in 1935 and is the only federal program solely dedicated to maternal and child health. Title V operates as a federal-state partnership through the State Block Grant, which gives money from the federal government to state governments to improve the health of women, infants, children and youth, including those with special health care needs. The Maternal and Child Health Section of the Georgia Department of Public Health administers the Title V Block Grant for the state of Georgia.

Although each state and territory receives the block grant, the amount differs depending on the proportion of children living in poverty in the state. States have flexibility to spend the grant money in a way that suits the needs of their populations. However, states do have to meet the following requirements:

• No more than 10% may be spent on administrative costs
• 30% must be directed toward children and youth with special health care needs
• 30% must be spent on primary and preventive services for children
• Pregnant women, mothers, and infants must also be supported by the block grant

The block grant is intended to fund and help provide a wide spectrum of services. Each level of the pyramid above represents the different services. The size of each block on the pyramid represents how much funding should be given to each service category. Thus, the majority of funds should be spent on public health services and systems, while the least should be directed toward direct reimbursable health care services.

What does Title V do in Georgia?

Title V Funded Programs

Although some funding is given to the public health districts and other organizations, the majority of funding supports the following state programs:

• Babies Can’t Wait
• Children First
• Children’s Medical Services
• Family Planning
• Georgia SHAPE
• Injury Prevention
• Data and Surveillance
• Newborn Screening
• Oral Health
• Perinatal Health

State Selected Priority Needs

Each state has flexibility to spend the funds to meet their unique needs. These needs are determined through a needs assessment, or a process for choosing which health issues will become a priority. State needs assessments occur every five years. Georgia completed its most recent needs assessment in 2015. Based on the latest assessment Georgia will focus on improving the following needs through 2020:

• Prevent maternal mortality
• Improve access to family planning services
• Prevent infant mortality
• Promote developmental screenings among children
• Promote physical activity among children
• Prevent bullying among adolescents
• Improve systems of care for children and youth with special health care needs
• Improve oral health among all populations
• Prevent maternal substance abuse

Application/Annual Report

The application/annual report is submitted each year on July 15th. The application shows accomplishments Georgia has made using the grant and outlines our plan for the upcoming year.

The Maternal and Child Health Title V Block Grant 2019 Application/2017 Annual Report, in its entirety, and subsets of the document are broken into population groups below.

• Title V Block Grant 2019 Application
  • Women/Maternal
  • Perinatal/Infant Health
  • Child Health
  • Adolescent Health
  • Children with Special Health Care Needs
  • Cross-Cutting Life Course
• Performance Measures

We welcome any comments you may have related to the Title V Block Grant, Maternal and Child Health or the operation of Title V. Your comments help us improve our programs and ensure that we are moving in the best direction possible.

Submit your feedback:

TAKE A SHORT SURVEY

or send an email to

DPH-MCHDO@dph.ga.gov

Contact Information