Maternal Health Innovation
The Maternal Health Innovation Program operates in coordination with the Prevention of Maternal Violent Deaths and Maternal Mortality Review programs to address factors contributing to poor pregnancy outcomes in Tennessee and to facilitate state system changes to improve the health of women before, during, and after pregnancy.About Maternal Health Innovation
Tennessee is one of eighteen states to receive the Maternal Health Innovation (MHI) grant from the Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The purpose of the Maternal Health Innovation program is to implement state-specific actions to address disparities in maternal health and improve maternal health outcomes in Tennessee.
The goals of the Maternal Health Innovation program are to:
- Establish Tennessee Maternal Health Advisory Group to implement a statewide maternal health Strategic Plan.
- Improve Tennessee maternal health data and surveillance.
- Promote and execute innovation in maternal health service delivery.
To learn more about our Maternal Health programs, click the links below:
Contact Us
For more information about the Maternal Health Innovation program, please reach out to the program by clicking the button below. We look forward to hearing from you!
Get Involved
Webinar : New Maternal Legislation Webinar
Beginning July 1, 2025, two new laws go into effect that impact the provision of maternal health services in Tennessee. Tennessee law i.e., 2025 Public Chapter 0099(PDF) requires that all hospitals and birthing centers that provide labor and delivery services shall provide a mother and, if possible, the mother’s caregiver or at least one (1) of the mother’s family members, information about post-birth warning signs, including symptoms and available resources, prior to discharge following a birth. It also requires that the Department of Health provide information about post-birth warning signs, including symptoms and available resources, to all hospitals and birthing centers and have the information available on the department’s website. Tennessee law i.e., 2025 Public Chapter 0046(PDF) amends the current law regarding blood testing during pregnancy by adding hepatitis C to standard serologic tests during pregnancy and increasing the frequency of syphilis testing during pregnancy. We invite you to a maternal health webinar focused on these two important maternal health laws.
Webinar: TennCare’s BP Cuff Benefit: What Clinicians and Patients Need to Know
TennCare now covers home blood pressure cuffs for patients during pregnancy and postpartum. Learn the importance of BP monitoring and how you can help connect patients to this important resource. Tennessee Department of Health and TennCare hosted a joint webinar to highlight this important new benefit for TennCare members. Jamye H. Wille, Ed.D, LMSW, shared her lived experience regarding the importance of blood pressure monitoring during her pregnancy. Hannah Dudney, MD, FACOG, Associate Medical Director of Women’s Health, Tennessee Department of Health, discussed the impact of hypertension in pregnancy in Tennessee and the role of home blood pressure monitoring in pregnancy. Jona Bandyopadhyay, MD, MPH, FACOG, Deputy CMO, Division of TennCare, reviewed TennCare’s coverage of blood pressure cuffs for pregnant and postpartum individuals and explain how clinicians can obtain BP cuffs for their patients.
In response to Tennessee's rising rate of maternal mortality, the Maternal Health Task Force was established to engage partners statewide to identify and address issues and find opportunities to improve maternal health.
Navigate to the Maternal Health Task Force page to learn more and apply.
Maternal Health Stories
The Maternal Health Stories project is an initiative by the Maternal Health Innovation (MHI) Program to raise awareness of critical early warning signs and preventable conditions that affect maternal health. MHI is collecting personal stories from Tennesseans to highlight pregnancy and birth experiences, challenges during pregnancy and the postpartum period, support and caregiver experiences, and to promote advocacy and empowerment.
Family Planning and Pregnancy Resources
Family Planning – Clinical services available at all local health departments across the state. Services include checkups for men and women, reproductive life planning, etc. Fee based on sliding scale.
March of Dimes- Get resources for every stage of pregnancy, before, during, and after.
Pregnancy- U.S. Office of Women’s Health- Get answers to your pregnancy questions. Learn about before, during, and after pregnancy care.
Pregnancy Rights- Know your rights regarding pregnancy discrimination.
Housing Assistance
Tennessee Eviction Prevention Toolkit – Resources and services for renters and landlords
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Assists low-income households with heating and cooling bills.
Housing Choice Voucher- Rental assistance program
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program- Assists low-income households with water and waste bills.
Tennessee Housing Development Agency Programs- Housing assistant resources for first time homebuyers, homeowners, and renters
Food Assistance
Tennessee WIC- Tennessee supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children
Tennessee SNAP – Apply for food and cash assistance.
Summer Food Service Program – meal assistance for children beginning when school closes for the summer and ending when school opens for the fall term.
General Assistance
Tennessee Community Service Help Line
Childcare Vouchers- childcare payment assistance program
Domestic Violence Shelters or Rape Crisis Centers- Find help in your area for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Prenatal Presumptive Eligibility- Medicaid covers prenatal health care throughout pregnancy, delivery, and up to 1 year after delivery. For those pregnant who do not meet Prenatal PE eligibility requirements, the county health department can assist with a CoverKids Pregnant Woman coverage. The eligibility criteria are less strict, but the coverage period is only the date of application through 60 days post-partum.
Breastfeeding Support
Breastfeeding- Includes Resources and support for breastfeeding mothers, 855-4BF-MOMS (855-423-6667)- provides 24/7 support and information for breastfeeding and infant feeding, Know your rights regarding breastfeeding discrimination
Substance Use Support
Find Help Now - real-time substance use treatment location database.
Growing Inside Free of Tobacco and Smoking (GIFTS)
Nurses for Newborns - in home visitation program to provide mothers and infants with healthcare, education, and support.
TN Redline 800-889-9789 provides accurate, up-to-date alcohol, drug, problem gambling, and other addiction information and referrals to all citizens of Tennessee at their request.
Post Partum Depression and Mental Health Support
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) – 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) TN – Education programs and support groups for people living with serious mental health issues and their families.
Postpartum Support International- promotes awareness, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues in childbearing.
Parenting Resources
General
Kids Central TN – Resources database for families and caregivers to learn about popular parenting topics, track important child milestones, and access vital resources.
Children’s Mental Health- Mental health services and supports for young people and their families.
Community Health Access and Navigation in Tennessee (CHANT) – Care coordination of medical and social service needs for families through local health departments.
Tennessee Child Care Resources and Referral- Resources for families of young children
Tennessee Voices- Statewide mental health support, referrals, and advocacy for families
Healthy and Safety
Infant Safe Sleep- Reference for best sleep practices for infants
Newborn Screening- Designed to keep screen infants shortly after birth for treatable conditions.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)- program to help families reduce the risk of losing babies to SIDS.
Child Lead Poisoning Prevention- promotes the prevention of lead poisoning in children and links lead-poisoned children from birth through 6 years (72 months) of age to recommended services.