Skip to content
Add an organization

Minnesota

Pregnancy, birth and the first year in Minnesota, in 14 topics: from who runs maternal and child health to what happens at your newborn's screening.

State Maternal and Child Health Programs

Minnesota offers a comprehensive range of state programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing perinatal care and supporting maternal and infant health. These programs provide medical coverage, nutritional assistance, home visiting services, and community-based support to ensure the well-being of mothers and their children.

  1. Medical Assistance (MA) for Pregnant Women

Minnesota's Medical Assistance (MA) program provides health coverage to low-income pregnant individuals during pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum. Covered services include prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. Eligibility is based on income and residency status. Notably, undocumented pregnant women may qualify for CHIP-funded MA for the duration of pregnancy and the 60-day postpartum period, provided they meet other eligibility criteria. Learn more

  1. Minnesota WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program

The Minnesota WIC Program offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthy foods to pregnant women, new mothers, and young children up to age five. The program aims to improve health outcomes by providing essential nutrients during critical stages of development. Eligibility is based on income and nutritional risk.

  1. Breastfeeding Support Programs

Minnesota provides various breastfeeding support services, including peer counseling, lactation consultations, and support groups. The WIC program offers resources and assistance to help mothers initiate and continue breastfeeding. Additional support can be found through organizations such as La Leche League and the Infant Risk Center.

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

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Maternal and Child Health program aims to increase access to safe, quality care for American Indian/Alaska Native pregnant women and children. It provides resources and clinical guidelines to support maternal and child health. In Minnesota, the IHS collaborates with tribal communities to offer culturally appropriate care and support services.

  1. Minnesota Home Visiting Programs

Minnesota offers several home visiting programs that provide free, voluntary in-home parent education for families with children aged 0-5. Trained professionals visit homes to support positive outcomes for children, increase family self-sufficiency, and create thriving communities. The program aims to promote positive parenting, enhance child development, and improve family well-being by utilizing evidence-based models such as Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) and Parents as Teachers (PAT).

a. Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
NFP pairs first-time mothers with registered nurses who provide guidance on maternal health, child development, and parenting skills. The program aims to improve pregnancy outcomes, child health, and economic self-sufficiency. Learn more

b. Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program
Funded federally, MIECHV supports the implementation of evidence-based home visiting services for expectant and new parents with children through kindergarten entry. In Minnesota, models such as Healthy Families America (HFA), NFP, and PAT are utilized. Learn more

  1. Integrated Care for High-Risk Pregnancies (ICHRP)

The ICHRP program identifies African American and Native American pregnant individuals facing challenges such as homelessness, hunger, untreated mental illness, substance use disorder, and exposure to institutional racism. It provides culturally specific services and resources, including housing referrals, behavioral health care, food assistance, and community support through specially trained community health workers and doulas.

  1. Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Families: Infant Health

Established in 2023, this initiative aims to reduce infant mortality and improve infant health outcomes by fostering equitable and culturally responsive systems. It includes the Minnesota Partnership to Prevent Infant Mortality and provides grants to support community-based interventions. Learn more

These programs collectively strive to enhance perinatal care and support for mothers and infants throughout Minnesota.

Find in the directory

Looking for an organization near you in Minnesota?

Hospitals, birth centers, doulas, WIC clinics, milk banks and more are listed by county. Enter a ZIP code or city to see yours.