The Title V block grant provides a critical funding source for Michigan MCH priority needs, in conjunction with state MCH funds and other federal funds. Title V funding is used to address needs across the MCH pyramid of services (direct services, enabling services, and public health infrastructure) and supports the delivery of core MCH services as well as the expansion of new or innovative programs. In accordance with federal requirements, a minimum of 30% of Title V funding must support services for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) and a minimum of 30% of funding must support preventive and primary care services for children ages 1 through 21 years. To meet these requirements, Title V funding in Michigan is used to support comprehensive medical care and treatment for CSHCN and a variety of services for children and adolescents including immunizations; oral health initiatives including a school-based dental sealant program; childhood lead poisoning prevention; fetal alcohol spectrum disorder services; bullying prevention; and reproductive health and prevention services. Services for women and infants are also supported by Title V funding, including infant safe sleep, breastfeeding, Regional Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (RPQCs), Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), fetal infant mortality review, and maternal mortality surveillance. Title V also supports public health systems activities related to needs assessment, parent leadership, and health equity.

In addition to state-level MCH programs and initiatives, Title V funding supports the MCH work of all 45 Local Health Departments (LHDs). Collectively, LHDs are allocated over one-third of Michigan’s Title V dollars through annual noncompetitive grants. LHDs serve as Michigan’s local public health “arm” through community-based services and systems. Title V funding administered through the Local MCH (LMCH) program helps to ensure the delivery of core MCH services and is used to address state-identified priorities as well as locally identified needs. These local activities complement the state’s public health infrastructure and state-led work in supporting the health of the MCH population. For example, Title V funding at the local level provides the MCH population with increased access to and provision of gap-filling services such as immunizations and childhood lead screening. Title V funding is also used for enabling services such as lead case management and safe sleep training for parents and providers. Public health services and systems are supported by Title V funding through health promotion campaigns, health in all policies initiatives, needs assessments, and local surveillance of birth outcomes. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, LHDs have also been able to redirect LMCH funds to support COVID-19 activities related to the MCH population, as needed.