Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant

Goal: Improve the health of all mothers and children consistent with the applicable health status goals and national health objectives established by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

History: Has operated as a Federal-State partnership for more than 65 years. When the Social Security Act was passed in 1935, the Federal Government, through Title V, pledged its support of State efforts to extend and improve health and welfare services for mothers and children.

Title V has been amended many times over the years to reflect the expansion of the national interest in maternal and child health. It was converted to a block grant program as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1981. Congress later sought to balance the flexibility of the block grant with greater accountability by the States. Through the 1989 OBRA States were required to report on progress made toward key maternal and child health indicators and to provide other program information. Click for more info...