Wisconsin. Bureau of Maternal and Child Health

In 1919, the State Board of Health created the Bureau of Child Welfare and Public Health Nursing. A 1944 reorganization established the Maternal and Child Health Section which included the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health. At the same time, the public health nursing program was separated, becoming the Bureau of Public Health Nursing (WIHV89-A72). In 1963 the section became the Community Health Services Section though the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health continued within that section until 1967. In that year, Community Health Services became a bureau within the Division of Health (WIHV85-A364) in the new Dept. of Health and Social Services (WIHV85-A674). In Wisconsin State Archives' database entries, the above form of name is used for all appropriate records dating 1919-1967.

The Bureau of Maternal and Child Health acted in an advisory capacity to other divisions and state and local agencies on matters pertaining to health of mothers and children; studied and interpreted statistical data; participated in in-service training and community education programs; prepared and distributed educational material, including a prenatal letter service to expectant mothers; demonstrated community activities; conducted special studies of health programs; and aided poorer counties in the maintenance of minimum services.