Do you want to help improve maternal and child health programs in Washington?
We want your input:
- Is Washington on the right track to improve the lives of families and children?
- What more can the WA Department of Health do to improve the health of all families and children?
- What additional resources do families and children need to stay healthy?
We invite you to review and comment on our Draft Maternal Child Health Block Grant 2026 Application and 2024 Report (PDF).
Submit your comments to MCHBGPublicComment@doh.wa.gov by July 23.
The Maternal and Child Health Block grant funds support state and local activities to improve the health of women, infants, children, youth, and their families.
To receive the grant each year, the Office of Family and Community Health Improvement submits an application and report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The application includes:
- Data on several national and state performance measures
- A budget summary
- A report on past, present, and planned activities.
Learn more about the 2026 Application and 2024 Report
Read the Draft Executive Summary of the Maternal Child Health Block Grant 2026 Application and 2024 Report (PDF).
- Local Health Jurisdiction Success Stories from the Previous Application and Report
Current Strategies for Block Grant Funds
For this year's grant, the Department of Health (DOH) has identified strategies we believe will best serve each of the five maternal and child health (MCH) population domains in our state. To determine these strategies, DOH:
- assessed the needs of each population,
- considered the capacity of DOH and its many partners,
- consulted with partners about their interests and priorities,
- gathered public feedback in a 2020 needs assessment, and
- considered federal requirements and existing Washington state strategic plans and priorities.
Based on this analysis, and as required by the grant, DOH has chosen national performance measures for this five-year grant cycle (October 1, 2020-September 30, 2025). These measures should most effectively and comprehensively measure and improve the health and well-being of MCH populations in Washington.
National Performance Measure(s)
|
National Performance Measure(s) |
Population Domain |
|
Well Woman Visits |
Women's/Maternal Health |
|
Breastfeeding |
Infant/Perinatal Health |
|
Developmental Screening |
Child Health |
|
Adolescent Well Visit |
Adolescent Health |
|
Medical Home and |
Children with Special Health Care Needs |
State Performance Measures
We also include state performance measures that focus on:
- reducing depression and increasing access to mental health care,
- positive adult mentors for teens,
- preventing teenage alcohol use,
- affordability of health care services, and
- preparation for the next MCH needs assessment.