Maternal and child health (MCH) programs across the country rely on data to carry out the three core functions or 10 essential services of public health. Funded by Title V of the Social Security Act, state MCH programs serve as the point of accountability for all women of reproductive age, infants, children, youth, and their families. The goal of MCH programs is to build community-based, family-centered systems of care that promote the health and well-being of all women, children, and families (Hayes and Walker, '97). MCH directors, including those responsible for children with special health care needs (CSHCN), must have adequate data and information systems in place in order for them to do their jobs well.
State MCH programs need population-based community-level data in order to conduct local and state needs assessments; to monitor stateand local-mandated programs, services, and screenings; to direct program planning and management; to conduct program and service evaluations; and to ensure that people identified through screening receive appropriate follow-up services.
A data system capable of generating information to meet these objectives must use standard definitions, be comprehensive in scope, be accessible via the internet or other information highways in the future, be updated regularly with the most current year's data, protect individual confidentiality, and be