MCH policy review terms

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

This landmark law expanded Medicaid eligibility and required maternity care as an essential health benefit.

Title V of the Social Security Act

Established funds to support MCH services, requiring states to conduct needs assessments every 5 years. Funds prenatal care, well-child visits, immunizations, and nutrition education, while emphasizing data collection for health needs assessment and program evaluation.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

This act provides eligible employees with 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act

Signed into law in 2022, this act provides the right to break time and space to pump breast milk at work, including paid pumping time under certain conditions.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

This act ensures free, appropriate public education for all children and includes Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children who meet disability criteria.

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

This law prioritizes placement with tribal members for indigenous children involved with child welfare.

Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA)

Enacted in 1997 as part of U.S. child welfare development. Promotes permanency for children: adoption, reunification, guardianship, and kinship care.

Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)

enacted in 2018 as a US child welfare law. It focuses on preventing child abuse and neglect and is a part of US child welfare history.

Medicaid

Largest source of health coverage for low-income pregnant women and children, expanded to allow postpartum coverage from 6 weeks to 12 months.

CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program)

Jointly funded by federal and state governments to provide health coverage for children in families with incomes that are too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance.

WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)

This program provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, postpartum women, and young children.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

This program provides supplemental nutritious food, education, and employment training to people with low income.

Head Start

Provides early care, education, and home visiting to high-risk children meeting eligibility criteria. Serves children ages 3-5.

Early Head Start

Serves children from birth to 3 years for families who meet income eligibility or have specific challenges.

Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program

Supports voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services for at-risk families.

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)

Recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that provide optimal care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding. Requires adherence to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Launched by WHO and UNICEF.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Involved in launching the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, defines child health including physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.

UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)

Became a permanent part of the UN in 1953; involved in establishing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Believes children need strong, resilient, and inclusive health systems to survive and thrive.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Supports breastfeeding and compiles data through the Breastfeeding Report Card and Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition & Care (mPINC). Also provides information on unintentional and intentional injuries.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Oversees the MCHB and funds specific programs like the Healthy Start Initiative, which is a project grant program.

Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)

Administers the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program.

Baby Friendly USA

Administers the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative in the United States.

Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI)

Delivers equitable lactation support through education, research, and training.

What are Facilitators to Successful Breastfeeding/Lactation?

supportive healthcare settings, maternal confidence, social support, and breastfeeding knowledge.

Social Determinants of Health

Conditions affecting health outcomes in people's environments.

Structural Determinants of Health

Political, economic, and social contexts that shape social determinants of health.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Potentially traumatic events occurring in childhood predictive of health outcomes.

Medical Home

A model ensuring accessible, family-centered, coordinated care with a personal healthcare provider. Serves as the usual place for sick/well care, offering referrals, care coordination, and support for transitioning to adult life.

Value-Based Care

Reimbursement model that prioritizes quality over quantity of services based on patient outcomes. Providers are reimbursed based on patient outcomes.

Herd Immunity

Occurs when a high percentage of the community is immune to a disease, protecting unvaccinated individuals.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

International agreement established in 1989 to protect children's rights, signed but not ratified by the U.S.

Block Grant

Federal funding to state or local governments for broad purposes, allowing flexibility in fund use. Title V is an example.

Categorical Grant

Federal funds for specific purposes with strict spending guidelines. WIC and Head Start are examples.

Formula Grant

Non-competitive grant distributed based on a predetermined formula. Medicaid and SNAP are examples.

Project Grant

Competitive funding awarded for specific projects or programs. Healthy Start Initiative is an example.

Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

Practices required by Baby-Friendly facilities, based on WHO/UNICEF recommendations.

Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding (SGCtA)

Aims to make breastfeeding possible for all mothers who wish to. Frames breastfeeding as the NORMAL way to feed baby.

Paid Family Leave (PFL)

U.S. lacks national policy. FMLA is unpaid, job-protected leave. PFL benefits include decreased infant mortality and increased breastfeeding.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Tax credit with eligibility requirements. Linked to improvements in low birthweight, preterm birth, and children’s school performance.

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

Tax break for families with children, with eligibility requirements. May reduce parental anxiety, depression, and child poverty.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Requires accommodations for students with disabilities in federally funded programs.

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)

Provide healthcare services in schools, addressing medical, mental health, dental, vision needs, and SDOH.

Title V National Performance Measures (NPMs)

Accountability metrics for Title V MCH services. Example: Breastfeeding (NPM 4).

Ready, Set, BABY! Prenatal Education Curriculum

A prenatal education resource.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TNAF)

block grant program created in 1996 to assist families in need. It replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and may provide automatic eligibility for WIC. Promotes self-sufficiency and supports programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. It preceded the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) in 1997.

Entitlement Program

A government program that must cover all eligible individuals. Funding adjusts based on the number of eligible enrollees. Examples: Medicaid, SNAP

HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding

established in 2000 and is recognized as the first comprehensive framework on breastfeeding for the Nation

Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program supports __________, evidence-based home visiting services to at-risk families.

voluntary

Blueprint for Change

strategic plan that promotes medical homes to improve systems of care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)

What is the oldest public health policy focused on women and children in the U.S.?

Title V of the Social Security Act of 1935

International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

Established in 1981 by WHO/UNICEF, this code regulates the marketing of breastmilk substitutes to protect and promote breastfeeding. Its implementation is required for facilities seeking Baby-Friendly designation, as part of the BFHI.

Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Framework?

An ecological approach that focuses on addressing the needs of the whole child by aligning and integrating resources from the school, community, and family. It recognizes that student health and learning are interconnected.

Every Newborn Action Plan

A global initiative launched in 2014 aimed at reducing newborn deaths, preventing stillbirths, and improving maternal health as part of the Global Child Health Initiative.