Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Family Health: Colorado’s governmental public health system will develop, implement and evaluate state-wide, regional and local strategies related to maternal, child, adolescent and family health to increase health and wellbeing, reduce adverse health outcomes and advance health equity across the life course.
Strategies may include but are not limited to identifying and providing information, promoting evidence-informed and multi-generational approaches, identifying community assets, advocating for needed initiatives, and convening partners.
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The source Core Public Health Services Operational Definitions Manual 2019 is organized as follows:
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Functions of MCH
B3a. Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Family Health Information
I. Provide timely and relevant federal, state and local evidence-informed information on maternal, child, adolescent and family health using health equity and life course frameworks.
i. Maintain and enhance reporting systems.
ii. Provide information on topics such as accessing care and community resources.
iii. Share data and performance metrics relevant to maternal, child, adolescent and family programs.
iv. Collect, analyze, interpret and share maternal, child, adolescent and family health data pertaining to inequities.
v. Provide reports as appropriate that measure the impact of maternal, child, adolescent and family health activities.
vi. Provide communities and stakeholders with timely communications and recommendations.
B3b. Identify Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Family Health Assets
I. Identify local community, regional and statewide assets to improve maternal, child, adolescent, and family health in accordance with local, state and federal mandates and guidelines.
B3c. Collaborative Efforts around Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Family Health
I. Lead systems improvements and coordinate efforts across sectors to ensure access to services such as primary care, oral health care, specialty care, mental health prevention and treatment, social services and early intervention for development.
i. Coordinate and/or participate in cross-sector partnerships.
ii. Identify key partners and stakeholders with expertise in maternal, child, adolescent and family program areas.
iii. Identify strategies and action plans to overcome barriers and increase the number of children and families receiving services.
iv. Develop consultants to work in communities, especially with affected populations.
v. Provide subject matter expertise and education on legislation and policies.
vi. Provide subject matter expertise and education to boards of health, school boards, community agencies and other organizations.
II. Collaborate with cross sector partners, including community members, to promote and build will for policies, practices and strategies that improve maternal, child, adolescent and family health.
i. Provide subject matter expertise and education to cross-sector partners and community members.
ii. Share data and performance metrics relevant to maternal, child, adolescent and family programs.
iii. Provide technical assistance on community-specific data including identification, interpretation and dissemination.
iv. Identify policy and/or system change to improve maternal, child, adolescent and family programs and services.
v. Identify strategies and action plans to overcome barriers and increase the number of children and families receiving services.
vi. Engage families in the development and implementation of activities to improve services.
vii. Implement policies and systems that support collaboration between programs.
B3d. Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Family Health Improvement
I. Improve the health status of infants, children, adolescents, youth, women and their families, and protect critical stages of a child’s physical and mental development during pregnancy and early childhood.
i. Deliver community level services in settings that meet community needs.
ii. Ensure maternal, child, adolescent and family health is addressed in community health assessments (CHAs).
iii. Engage in state and local coalitions to increase awareness of maternal, child, adolescent and family health programs and needs.
iv. Build and support infrastructure to facilitate community-based resources.
v. Make appropriate referrals to meet needs.
vi. Provide staff development and training relevant to skills needed to address maternal, child, adolescent and family health needs.
vii. Develop consultants to work in communities, especially with affected populations.
viii. Provide developmental screenings when necessary.
ix. Ensure children and their families with special needs get resources they need filling the gap around care coordination.
x. Provide child care nurse consultation.
xi. Educate health care providers about evidence-informed screenings, patient education, and community resources.
II. Identify and develop maternal, child, adolescent and family health prevention approaches, using life course expertise to advance equity, and advocate and seek resources for related initiatives.
i. Use data and evidence-informed practices to identify and develop public health policies, systems, programs and initiatives to address maternal, child, adolescent and family health.
ii. Utilize community health assessments (CHAs) to develop strategies, policies, programs and initiatives related to maternal, child, adolescent and family health.
iii. Identify strategies and action plans to overcome barriers and increase the number of children and families receiving services.
iv. Assess community assets and evaluate needed resources and unmet needs related to maternal, child, adolescent and family health.
v. Provide technical assistance and coaching to promote best practices such as breastfeeding practices or early child care setting practices.
vi. Provide education on risk factors such as smoking and secondhand smoke.
B3e. Mandated Newborn Screening (State Role Only)
I. Ensure mandated newborn screening to test every infant born in Colorado to detect and prevent developmental impairments and life-threatening illnesses associated with congenital disorders that are specified by the State Board of Health. Bloodspot Screening
i. Determine which conditions are on Colorado’s newborn bloodspot screening panel.
ii. Provide the collection and analysis of newborn bloodspot screening specimens.
iii. Communicate the results of the newborn bloodspot analysis to the provider/entity that submitted the specimen.
iv. Provide repeat or confirmatory testing, when needed.
v. Provide referrals to specialists occur when needed.
vi. Assure quality control and education necessary to support quality standards is provided. Hearing
vii. Collect newborn hearing screening statewide data.
viii. Report statewide screening rates for newborn hearing.
ix. Maintain an advisory committee to develop recommendations to support the implementation of newborn hearing screening throughout the state. Critical congenital heart disease (CCHD)
x. Promulgate rules for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening protocol.
xi. Collect critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening data from birthing facilities. xii. Report statewide screening rates for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).
B3f. Coordination of Other Maternal, Child, Adolescent and Family Health Services with Foundational Capabilities and Services
I. Coordinate and align categorically-funded maternal, child, adolescent and family health programs and services to work in synergy toward improved health outcomes.
i. Identify and support relationships and coordination need between public health foundational capabilities and services.
ii. Leverage foundational capabilities and services as appropriate to increase health and wellbeing and reduce adverse health outcomes related to maternal, child, adolescent and family health.
