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The Office of Women’s Health and Family Services’ Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health Services implements the Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant, which is responsible for the health and well-being of all of Illinois’ mothers, infants, children (including those with special healthcare needs) and their families.

Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant

The Maternal and Child Health Services (MCH) Title V Block Grant, part of the Social Security Act of 1935, is the oldest federal/state partnership to improve the health and well-being of all mothers, infants, and children, particularly children with special health care needs.

Every year, states are required to complete both an application for future funding and an annual report of the MCH activities from the previous federal fiscal year. The FY25 application and FY24 report can be read below, along with drafts of the Illinois’ Title V Fiscal Year 2024 Public Comment Report and the updated Illinois MCH Title V Block Grant Action Plan (2026-2030), which includes the IL Title V priorities, selected National Performance Measures, and strategies. 

Public review of the below documents for comments or recommendations is requested and can be sent to DPH.MCH@illinois.gov.

Title V Fiscal Year 2024 Public Comment Report
Illinois MCH Title V Block Grant Action Plan (2026-2030)
ILLINOIS MCH TITLE V FY26 AND FY 24 REPORT

Medical Patient Rights of Women (Pregnancy and Childbirth)

Under Public Act 101-0445, effective January 1, 2020, the Medical Patient Rights Act was amended by requiring information about rights with regard to pregnancy and childbirth to be posted on this website.

In general, with regard to pregnancy and childbirth, every woman has the right to:

  • receive health care before, during, and after pregnancy and childbirth
  • receive care for her and her infant that is consistent with generally accepted medical standards
  • choose a certified nurse midwife or physician as her maternity care professional
  • choose her birth setting from the full range of birthing options available in her community
  • leave her maternity care professional and select another if she becomes dissatisfied with her care
  • receive information about the names of those health care professionals involved in her care
  • privacy and confidentiality of records
  • receive information concerning her condition and proposed treatment
  • accept or refuse any treatment
  • be informed if her caregivers wish to enroll her or her infant in a research study
  • access her medical records
  • receive information in a language in which she can communicate
  • receive emotional and physical support during labor and birth
  • freedom of movement during labor and to give birth in the position of her choice
  • contact with her newborn
  • receive information about breastfeeding
  • decide collaboratively with caregivers when she and her baby will leave the birth site for home
  • be treated with respect at all times before, during, and after pregnancy by her health care professionals
  • examine and receive a reasonable explanation of her total bill for services

The exact language for the rights of women with regard to pregnancy and childbirth can be found under Medical Patient Rights of Women (found under Laws & Rules).

2026-2030 State MCH Priority List for Title V

Illinois’ priorities for the MCH population, listed below, were developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health with input from a cross-disciplinary team of in-state experts using the qualitative and quantitative findings from the 2015 MCH Title V Block Grant Needs Assessment. This process is repeated every five years to assess the primary and preventive healthcare needs of Illinois women, infants, children (including those with special healthcare needs) and adolescents.

The below priorities are for the 2026-2030 period:

      1.   Assure awareness, accessibility and quality of reproductive, primary, and specialty care for all women.

      2.  Promote the integration of community-based social and economic supports within a well-functioning, comprehensive, and respectful healthcare system for pregnant and postpartum women.

      3.  Support the comprehensive and coordinated integration of care systems during and after pregnancy to foster an environment that promotes optimal health for all Infants throughout their first year.

      4.  Improve health outcomes in child and adolescent health by cultivating partnerships to enable children of all ages to grow, learn, and flourish in a safe environment.

     5.   Improve child health outcomes by ensuring access and availability to quality pediatric and dental care that centers family engagement and patient experience.

     6.  Support adolescents (including CYSHCN) with knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy to access health care, school, and community-based services while preparing for transition to adult health care.

    7.  Collaborate with families and community partners to support early screening and connection for children, especially those with special healthcare needs, to family-centered care within a medical home.

    8.   Promote optimal access to mental health and substance use screening, diagnosis, and treatment integrated with the health care system and in partnership with providers, schools, and community.

    9.  Adopt a life course, intergenerational, and data-informed approach to improve health outcomes and survival of MCH populations, with a focus on the Black population.

   10.  Enhance statewide emergency preparedness for MCH populations affected by natural or man-made disasters, public health emergencies, and humanitarian emergencies. 

More information about this Federal/State partnership can be viewed here.

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