Michigan

Leveraging State Funds to Provide LeadCare II Point-of-Care Testing to Providers in Michigan

Following the passage of universal childhood lead testing laws, Michigan required providers to screen all children at 12 and 24 months—and at age four in high-risk communities. To meet these expanded requirements, the Michigan Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) faced a challenge: ensuring providers had both the resources and support needed to conduct timely, widespread testing across the state.

In response, CLPPP leveraged state general funds to expand access to point-of-care testing. The program distributed LeadCare II analyzers and testing kits to providers and local health departments serving children in 82 high-risk communities. Through a structured application process, providers committed to integrating testing into routine care, while CLPPP staff supported onboarding, workflow integration, and timely reporting of results. This coordinated effort helped rapidly build testing capacity where it was needed most.

The impact was substantial. CLPPP equipped providers with 113 analyzers and 226 test kits, while local health departments received an additional 12 analyzers and 85 kits—significantly expanding statewide testing infrastructure. Building on this success, Michigan plans to continue and refine the initiative, demonstrating how strategic investment and public health leadership can strengthen compliance with testing laws, improve early detection, and better protect children from the harmful effects of lead exposure.