SSDI was launched in 1993 to complement the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant Program and to combine the efforts of State MCH and Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Agencies. In general, the purpose of the SSDI is to assist State MCH and CSHCN programs in the building of State and community infrastructure that results in comprehensive, community-based systems of care for all children and their families.

The Delaware State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI) Program is a key component of our Title V program.  The program’s initiatives ensure the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs have access to relevant information and data.  The Division of Public Health (DPH) recognizes that a structured surveillance system to allow for the analysis of risk factors, behaviors, practices, and experiences before, during and after pregnancy would provide valuable information to support existing MCH programs and a basis for new MCH funding opportunities for new intervention programs.  DPH promotes the sharing of data within our data systems and encourages enhancing current systems instead of building new systems.

The SSDI Grant’s Measurable Goals for the period of December, 2014 through November, 2017 are:

1. MCH Title V Block Grant Support
   • Build and expand State MCH data capacity to support Title V program efforts to contribute to data driven decision making in MCH Programs.
   • Provide data support by accessing key data sources, analyzing data and coordinating efforts with the epidemiologist and evaluators.
   • Identify and develop structural and process measures to address National Performance measures selected by the Title V program will be a key SSDI function in the coming years.
   • Provide assistance with the selection of State Performance Measures to address the priority needs identified during the 5-year Title V needs assessment process.
2. Support the Collaborative Improvement and Innovation Network (CoIIN) to Reduce Infant Mortality Support through improved availability and reporting of timely data.
3. Advance the utilization of both the minimum and core data sets (M/CDS) for State Title V MCH programs.  Improving on Delaware’s capacity to report on these elements will be a priority of the program.

Resources and Links:

• Delaware Maternal and Child Health webpage
• MCH Title V Block Grant webpage
• Collaborate Improvement and Innovation Network (CoIIN)