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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    The Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program acts as a safety net provider for health care and essential public health services for women, mothers, infants, children up to age 22, and children with special health care needs and their families. The program was created as part of the 1935 Social Security Act as a commitment to improving the health and well-being of the country's mothers, children, and families. The Health Resources and Services Administration, a federal agency, oversees the Title V Block Grant program at the federal level. The Title V Block Grant is managed in Pennsylvania by the Bureau of Family Health in the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

    Needs and Capacity Assessment

    Every five years, the Bureau of Family Health is required by the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant (MCHSBG) to conduct a Five-Year Needs and Capacity Assessment – a state-level, comprehensive assessment of the health status of the maternal and child health populations in Pennsylvania including women and mothers, infants, children, adolescents, and children with special health care needs. The objective of the assessment is to identify the priority health needs that will guide state and local Title V work over the next five-year funding cycle. During the assessment, the Bureau of Family Health also evaluates its capacity to serve and meet the needs of Pennsylvania's maternal and child health populations.  

    The assessment is a multi-step process which includes evaluation of the following:

    • Social, economic, and environmental determinants of health
    • Health disparities
    • Quantitative data from state and national datasets
    • Qualitative data such as focus group feedback
    • Title V workforce capacity
    • Title V program partnerships and collaborations

    2020 Five-Year Needs and Capacity Assessment:

    2025 Five-Year Needs and Capacity Assessment:

    The Health Resources and Services Administration also encourages Title V Block Grant programs to conduct ongoing and interim needs assessment during reporting years between five-year needs and capacity assessments. Through interim needs assessment, the Bureau of Family Health evaluates the extent to which the priority needs are being met, identifies emerging health issues, and continues to gather feedback from providers, service recipients, and other stakeholders. For more information on Pennsylvania's interim Title V needs assessment activities, click on the links below.

    Interim Needs and Capacity Assessment:

    More Information

    Annual Reports and Applications

    Older reports available upon request

    Public Input

    Send us your comments and questions! We welcome public input at any time.

    Title V MCH Block Grant Coordinator
    Bureau of Family Health
    Division of Bureau Operations 
    Health and Human Services Building
    625 Forster St.
    Harrisburg, PA 17120-0701
    717-346-3000
    RA-DHPATITLEV@pa.gov