The Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago Division of Specialized Care for Children (UIC-DSCC), focuses on enhancing the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families across Illinois. The joint effort emphasizes equitable and accessible healthcare, rooted in public health frameworks such as the 10 Essential Public Health Services, the Life Course Approach, and the Socio-Ecological Model.
IDPH coordinates with multiple state agencies, including DHS and HFS, and values private partnerships to comprehensively address the needs of the maternal and child health (MCH) population. The Title V program funds a diverse array of initiatives, leveraging evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies to support community health. Technical assistance is provided to grantees to foster inclusive participation. The comprehensive Title V portfolio is designed to address the multifaceted needs of maternal and child health across Illinois. By partnering with local organizations and utilizing evidence-based approaches, the Title V team effectively supports and enhances the health and well-being of mothers, children, and families throughout the state. This collaborative effort ensures that resources are directed towards the most pressing health challenges, fostering sustainable improvements in community health outcomes.
The IL Title V portfolio of funded programs includes several research and development grants with state universities, competitive grants, non-competitive grants, and several MOUs between state agencies. This variety in funding allocations allows for a wide variety of organizations, ranging from universities, for-profit, non-profit, and community based, to apply for opportunities. The programs developed are not solely evidence-based strategies but also branch into evidence informed strategies that work for the community impacted and research opportunities. Through these grant programs, IDPH extends financial support to a wide range of MCH initiatives. This funding is strategically allocated to program experts who operate directly within the communities they serve, ensuring that interventions are both relevant and impactful.
Leadership engagement in statewide and national MCH initiatives ensures streamlined efforts. The team actively participates in various committees and collaboratives, addressing emerging health issues highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2025 needs assessment will prioritize birth equity, transportation to medical services, SUID, and obstetric deserts, integrating lessons learned into emergency preparedness strategies. The Title V team continues to collaborate with the UIC-School of Public Health through the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health (CoE-MCH) to help in crafting a strategic approach to identify policies and programs. This effort focused on collaborating to improve data collection, linkage, and analysis for ongoing and emerging public health issues, among MCH populations.
Understanding that effective emergency preparedness requires a proactive approach, the Illinois Title V team plans to integrate lessons learned from the pandemic into comprehensive planning and response strategies. The 2025 needs assessment will involve a thorough analysis of these issues, leveraging data-driven insights and stakeholder input to identify priority areas and formulate actionable plans. By focusing on these pressing concerns, the Illinois Title V team aims to enhance maternal and child health outcomes across the state, ensuring that all families have access to equitable and quality care.