Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers a range of state-sponsored programs dedicated to supporting maternal, infant, and child health. Here are several key initiatives:

1. Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program (WIC):

The Massachusetts WIC program provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services to pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to age five. Services include personalized nutrition counseling and referrals to healthcare services. Learn more

1. MassHealth for Pregnant Women:

MassHealth, Massachusetts' Medicaid program, provides health coverage to eligible low-income pregnant women during pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum. Covered services include prenatal visits, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and newborn checkups. Eligibility is based on income and residency status. Learn more

1. Early Intervention (EI) Division:

This is a program for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old) who have developmental delays or are at risk of a developmental delay. Offers services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays or at risk for developmental issues. Learn more

1. Growth and Nutrition Program:

This program provides multidisciplinary services to infants and children experiencing failure-to-thrive (poor growth). Addresses under-nutrition and feeding difficulties in young children.
Eligibility: All Massachusetts children from birth up through the age of six years with growth problems can be referred for an evaluation and treatment by their primary care providers.

1. Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI):

An interagency initiative to strengthen and integrate services for children's behavioral health. This program helps MassHealth children with behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs and their families with integrated behavioral health services and a comprehensive, community-based system of care.

1. Breastfeeding Support Programs:

Massachusetts provides various breastfeeding support services

1. Indian Health Service (IHS) Maternal and Child Health Program

The IHS Maternal and Child Health program aims to improve access to quality care for American Indian and Alaska Native women and children. Services include telehealth and home visitation support.

1. MassHealth Doula Services Program:

MassHealth covers doula services, subject to MassHealth coverage limitations, for eligible MassHealth members while they are pregnant, during delivery, and up to 12 months after delivery, inclusive of all pregnancy outcomes and for eligible MassHealth members who are the adoptive parent of an infant in the period in which the adopted infant is younger than one year of age.

1. Massachusetts Home Visiting Programs

Massachusetts offers several evidence-based home visiting services through the Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative (MHVI), connecting families with trained professionals for support during pregnancy and early childhood. Learn more

a. Welcome Family: Provides a one-time nurse home visit to all caregivers with newborns, assessing caregiver and newborn health and well-being. Learn more
b. Healthy Families America (HFA) and Parents as Teachers (PAT): Evidence-based home visiting models implemented in Massachusetts to support expectant and new parents.

1. Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program:

Ensures all newborns are screened for hearing loss to facilitate early intervention. All babies are screened at birth for hearing loss, which helps families of babies with reduced hearing get the services they need.