The Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Unit is committed to
improving the health and safety of mothers and children. MCH programs support
the development of family-centered, community-based, coordinated systems of
care.
MCH has many initiatives in place to advance women’s health.
These initiatives form the Healthy Texas Mothers and Babies (HTMB) program.
The HTMB initiative coordinates efforts that address
different levels of health prevention and promotion. HTMB uses proven strategies,
data, and research to:
- Increase health-promoting behaviors
- Strengthen professional support to women
- Improve community systems that work with women
- Reduce the barriers to healthy lifestyle choices
- Ensure women’s health systems use data and
research to make decisions that will improve women’s safety
HTMB Projects:
Texas Alliance Innovation on Maternal Health
(TexasAIM) – work with hospitals and clinics to improve safety projects for
pregnant women. TexasAIM provides support and training on three safety
‘bundles’ – a set of strategy shown to improve health outcomes. See more on our
TexasAIM page.
Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee
(MMMRC) – support a review committee studying maternal deaths in order to
identify trends and recommend ways to reduce pregnancy-related deaths. See more
on our MMMRC page.
Community Coalitions – funding to nine communities to
improve maternal health. See more on our Coalition page.
Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies
(TCHMB) – funding and support to the University of Texas Health Science Center
in Tyler to work with healthcare providers, hospitals, advocates, scientists,
and insurers to improve birth and health outcomes. See more on our TCHMB website.
Texas Mother Friendly Worksite Program – Education
and support to employers to provide a space for breastfeeding mothers returning
to work. See more on the Mother Friendly Worksite website.
Preconception Peer Educators (PPE) – Education and
support to hold trainings for college students. The students are trained to lead activities and trainings among
their peers and in communities surrounding their campuses on preconception
health, the importance of fathers, health disparities and reproductive life
planning.
For more
information about Maternal and Child Health regarding maternal health in Texas,
please email titlev@dshs.texas.gov
Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal and Child Health Unit
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78756
Phone: (512) 776-7373
Fax: (512) 458-7658