Maternal Health Action and Resource Center (MHARC)

MHARC provides capacity building assistance (CBA), training, and technical assistance (TTA) to State Maternal Health Innovation (MHI) and other Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) maternal health grantees. Our aim is to strengthen State MHI grantees’ abilities to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce the significant disparities faced by disadvantaged populations. MHARC also serves as a national resource center, sharing and disseminating information about evidence-based strategies and guidance.

Providing CBA and TTA to State MHI Grantees

2017-19 data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) show that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, and more than half happen up to one year after delivery. MMRC data report that the top five causes of pregnancy-related deaths are mental health (including substance use disorders and deaths by suicide), hemorrhage, cardiac conditions, infection, and thrombotic embolism. These statistics, in combination with the fact that the U.S. spends 2.4 times more per person on average on healthcare compared to other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, demonstrate the urgent need for innovative and coordinated solutions to overcome the ongoing maternal health crisis.

The National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ)™ is committed to improving health outcomes for children and families by driving sustainable systems change. MHARC, part of NICHQ, extends this mission nationally, offering CBA and TTA to State MHI HRSA grantees.

Learn More About NICHQ

Who

NICHQ and the MHARC Collaborative, which includes the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, HealthConnect One, and ESW Consultants, work together to provide responsive and community-focused support to State MHI grantees.

Our Role

As the TTA center, MHARC will support State MHI grantees to implement effective strategies and innovations that positively impact Maternal and Child Health populations. MHARC will strengthen state- and community-based comprehensive systems of care for maternal health via responsive TTA and CBA.

Funder

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U7CMC53579, Maternal Health Training & Resource Center. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position nor policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.