The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grouped several related programs under its newly created Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Programs to better coordinate services and address program gaps. Fiscal Year 2021 marked the inaugural year of this new program area, which includes the Improved Pregnancy Outcomes Program, (Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Board / Community Action Team), Babies Born Healthy Program, Home Visiting Expansion Grant, The Montgomery Perinatal Program, Administrative Care Coordination Unit, Infant at Risk Program and Vaccines for Children.
The Department’s goal is to maintain healthy pregnancies and babies, the strong referral networks with local agencies to follow-up and address social determinants of health for all program participants. Our programs aim to break down barriers to keep infants safe and healthy by supporting medical, behavioral, dental and social service care, and by providing cribs, car seats, and safety supplies to ensure infant safety after birth.
Priority areas for the MCH Programs include prevention of causes related to prematurity, including chronic maternal health conditions, promoting increased social supports for women during the perinatal / postpartum periods, promoting increased screening /referral for substance use disorders during pregnancy, and safe infant sleep outreach and education, with a particular focus on communities with the highest number of these tragic incidents.
The program also collaborates with HHS’ Consolidation Hubs (“Hubs”) on the distribution of safe sleep cribs for infants. Families in need can go to one of the seven Hubs to pick up a portable crib if they qualify. The goal is to have Consolidation Hubs become the “Safe Sleep Hubs” for the County where any resident can go if referred. The Hubs also distribute food and diapers to residents in need.
