Early Childhood

Congress should require states to extend Medicaid coverage for 12 months postpartum.

The Department of Education (DOE) should build a standardized framework for schools to implement the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, establish dashboards for data collection and resources libraries on the MTSS framework, establish a certification program that recognizes districts that have implemented MTSS best practices, and establish a permanent position for school-based Medicaid services to support state education agencies in implementation.The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) should also clarify that Tier 1 supports under MTSS include prevention and early intervention services under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit.

Congress should pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (Momnibus 2.0) package, which includes 13 bills to address alarming disparities in Black maternal health.

Congress should utilize tax credits and grant programs to fund new (or existing) newborn intensive care units in all hospitals to provide specialized care for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and ensure mothers and their children remain in close proximity with each other after birth.[1]

CMS should encourage state Medicaid programs to set new provider requirements to follow Bright Futures[1] pediatric guidelines to screen for and, if indicated, further evaluate a child for infant and early childhood mental health (I-ECMH) disorders.[2]

Evidence-based home visiting programs should be a mandated benefit of health plans and be integrated into collaborative care models.[1]