Since its inception, the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant (Title V of the Social Security Act) has provided a foundation for ensuring the health of our Nation’s mothers and children.

With the passing of the Social Security Act in 1935, the Federal Government, through Title V, pledged its support of State efforts to extend health and welfare services for mothers and children. This landmark legislation resulted in the estab-lishment of State departments of health or public welfare in some States, and facilitated the efforts of existing agencies in others.

Over the years, the achievements of Title V-supported projects have been inte-grated into the ongoing care system for children and families. Landmark projects have produced guidelines for child health supervision from infancy through adoles-cence; influenced the nature of nutrition care during pregnancy and lactation; recommended standards for prenatal care; identified successful strategies for the prevention of childhood injuries; and developed health safety standards for out-of-home child care facilities.   More detail...