MDHHS invites public comment on Title V Block Grant application

For Immediate Release: June 9, 2016

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) invites the public to comment on the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant application. Title V of the Social Security Act of 1935, as amended, provides funding to states to improve the health of mothers and children.

Per federal requirements, a five-year needs assessment was completed in 2015 and a summary is included in the application. Based on the assessment, the seven priorities for the State of Michigan for fiscal year (FY) 2016-2020 aimed at improving the health of mothers and children are:

• Reduce barriers, improve access, and increase the availability of health services for all populations;
• Support coordination and linkage across the perinatal to pediatric continuum of care;
• Invest in prevention and early intervention strategies, such as screening;
• Increase family and provider support and education for children with special health care needs;
• Increase access to and utilization of evidence-based oral health practices and services;
• Foster safer homes, schools, and environments with a focus on prevention, and;

Promote social and emotional well-being through the provision of behavioral health services.

These priorities are linked to eight national performance measures across six population domains: women/maternal health, perinatal/infant health, child health, adolescent health, children with special health care needs, and cross-cutting/life course. In 2016, Michigan also set five additional state performance measures, which are discussed in the application.

Michigan’s Title V application is for services from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017, and includes a report on services provided in FY 2015.

Click here to view the Title V draft application. MDHHS welcomes comments on the application, which must be received by June 20, 2016, and can be submitted to daviss11@michigan.gov.

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