Blog - Michigan's Children

Lauren Gerhard, Our Newest Intern: Is Passionate About Sustainable Social Change

3 months ago

September 12, 2024 – My name is Lauren and I am a senior Social Work Student at Michigan State University with a concentration in Law, Criminal Justice, and Public Policy.…

Making the Case for a $15 Million Increase in Early On State Support Next Year

Speaking for Kids

9 months ago

(March 14, 2024) Kae Dubay’s son Lee couldn’t speak until he was 2 years old, the result of a speech and language delay, and the child also battled with a…

A Major Influencer of his Time, the Founding Father of Michigan’s Children had a Vision to Change Public Policy for Kids in Michigan

Speaking for Kids

10 months ago

(Feb. 14, 2024) Cynthia Wilbanks said she was intrigued when she first learned of efforts to establish a new, first-of-its-kind, nonpartisan child advocacy organization for Michigan. The year was 1992…

The ROI on Child Care Investments is a Winner – new Federal Report Finds

Speaking for Kids

1 year ago

(11.20.23) A new report released by President Biden on the return on investment (ROI) of pandemic child care funding provides a window for state lawmakers and Michiganders into the economic…

Challenge Lawmakers to Do More With What They Have

Speaking for Kids

1 year ago

(October 20, 2023) This year, in a year of historic funding surplus, direct benefits for underserved children, youth, and families, received some critical increases, but only after waiting for over…

When Child Care Providers are an Extension of Your Home Life, Saying Goodbye is a Tough Conversation

Speaking for Kids

1 year ago

(August 4, 2023) – Two and a half years ago, I was hired onto Michigan’s Children staff to essentially deal with all things outreach-related. At that time, it was the…

To Give Youth a Chance for Improved Outcomes, We Should Recognize Foster Case and Juvenile Justice as the Educational Systems They Are

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

(June 7, 2023) Our foster care and juvenile justice systems are educational systems, and we must view them as such. Look at what these systems fundamentally do. Foster care is…

Increasing Access to Early On and Child Care Top Concerns of Young Families at Livingston Forum

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

(May 4, 2023) Last month the Livingston Great Start Parent Coalition hosted a dynamic Q&A in Howell to learn about their lawmakers’ priorities and educate them about how families experience…

Hundreds Use their Voices for Early Childhood at Capital Day

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

Hundreds of early childhood advocates urged their lawmakers to “Think Babies” during a Capitol Day in Lansing hosted by Think Babies Michigan and the Michigan Association for the Education of…

Expanding Opportunities for Detroit Teens; Youth Voice Leads the Way

Speaking for Kids

2 years ago

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the Detroit-based afterschool program, Teen HYPE, as youth hosted stakeholders from across the city for a special brainstorming session.…