The Louisiana Maternal and Child Health Coalition:

• Initiates and supports policy development and implementation through active lobbying and advocacy

• Educates policy leaders

• Creates and maintains alliances consistent with maternal and child health priorities

• Serves as a resource center

• Provides continuing education

The priorities of the Coalition include, but are not limited to:

• Access to appropriate and acceptable health care for mothers and children

• Enhancement of comprehensive infant and child health services

• Provision of health care based on scientific principles with demonstrated effectiveness

• Risk assessment/risk reduction of factors contributing to unhealthy outcomes

• Comprehensive family planning and preconceptual health care

• Prevention, detection, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections

• Prevention, intervention and treatment of substance abuse

• Support of a viable and responsive public health system