Latest News

Alicia Guevara Warren Named CEO of ECIC, Statewide Leader in Early Childhood 

The Executive Committee of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) has announced the appointment of Alicia Guevara Warren as CEO, effective April 1. This decision follows the interim leadership of Lynne Ferrell in January, following the resignation of former CEO Dawne Bell in November 2023.  

"I am honored and excited to take on the role of CEO at ECIC," said Guevara Warren. "I look forward to working with our dedicated team and partners to ensure the well-being of young children and families in Michigan."  

Seat at the Table

ECIC’s National Center for Family & Parent Leadership is thrilled to announce the launch of Seat at the Table, a nationwide platform connecting early childhood organizations and agencies across the country with family and parent leaders for authentic collaboration in systems building efforts.  

Family and parent leaders can sign up at no cost to be connected to leadership opportunities that match their interests and expertise, locally, or nationally. For organizations eager to welcome parents and families into leadership roles, they can post opportunities at no cost to reach thousands of families with young children ready to lend their expertise and incorporate their lived experiences into shaping the early childhood system to be more culturally responsive and customer-centric. 

Families

Organizations

Early Childhood Capitol Day - Thank You!

On March 20, 2024, hundreds of parents, early childhood professionals, advocates and community members gathered in Lansing for Early Childhood Capitol Day, co-sponsored by Think Babies Michigan, Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children, and Mothering Justice. 

State lawmakers heard directly from Michigan families and child care providers about the importance of fully funding the early childhood system, restoring the 26% subsidy reimbursement rate for child care providers that was abruptly cut with the end of COVID relief funding, and the need for Paid Family and Medical Leave.  

The event was covered on over 270 media outlets across the nation, and was an important reminder that families, child care educators, and the community will continue to advocate for a state that fully invests in its youngest citizens and their families. 

Keep the conversation going and raise your voice over social media using our Digital Toolkit.

Think Babies Michigan Parent Leader Spotlight - Chrissy Vines

Think Babies Michigan (TBMI) is excited to share another Parent Leader Spotlight – a series celebrating the parents leading the TBMI initiative and working to build a stronger, more inclusive prenatal-to-three system for Michigan’s youngest. This month, we are shining a light on Chrissy Vines, a community messenger ensuring families have access to crucial information on child development and care.

Senate Passes $1 Billion Increase for Early Childhood

The Senate successfully passed a funding package which included twelve bills to fund the federal government for the fiscal year 2024. Included in the package was an applauded $1 billion increase to support child care and early learning by lowering the cost of child care and strengthening Head Start across the country.  

Join First Five Years Fund in thanking lawmakers for their bipartisan support and investment in early childhood, ensuring young children and their families can thrive as they go to work and get a quality education.  

New CCDF Federal Rule

The 2024 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Final Rule updates regulations (45 CFR Part 98) to help working families afford child care and broadly support child care quality and accessibility in communities. Policies included in this final rule are designed to: 

• Lower child care costs for families; 
• Improve payments to child care providers; 
• Increase child care options for families; 
• Make enrollment easier and faster for families; and 
• Increase clarity in CCDF requirements. 

Federal Support for Child Care Businesses 

The White House and Small Business Administration (SBA) have announced new actions to support small businesses that offer child care for millions of working families, including: 

• Funding opportunities to support small businesses in the child care sector; 
• Development of a Child Care Guide; and a 
• Lender campaign. 

Early Childhood Advocates' Corner

Maternal and Infant Health

April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week, a week of activism and community building for Black Mamas across the country and here in Michigan! In solidarity with National Minority Health Month and International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, this week encourages us to raise our collective voices in the elevation of Black Mamas and their lived experiences when accessing services and caring for little ones.

Governor Whitmer’s FY25 Budget proposal includes several toplines to support healthy moms and babies in Michigan. Our partners at the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health highlight several opportunities for the state budget to go further. 

Bill Tracker Update

HB 5369 has been referred to the House of Representatives for a full floor vote. This bill requires a local health department or physician that receives a notification regarding a child’s elevated blood lead levels, must be referred to the Early On program. 

Michigan takes steps to make Kindergarten mandatory. SB 285 would modify attendance requirements for kindergarten, making it mandatory for all 5-year-olds beginning in school year 2025-26; and has been referred to the Senate for a full floor vote. 

Get Involved: In the Community

Upcoming Webinars

Your Voice Matters: Pre-K for All Roadmap Survey 

As Michigan works to implement Universal PreK, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has worked hard to make sure your expertise, thoughts, and options have been incorporated into its roadmap. MiLEAP is using your feedback to compile a set of FAQ’s that will be shared soon.  

If you have not had a chance to weigh in, the survey is still available and your input is valued! Please submit your feedback today.  

Providers' Corner

Addressing Michigan's Infant/Toddler Child Care Supply Crisis

On average, the hourly wages of infant and toddler care teachers are lower than preschool teachers and often fail to provide an adequate wage.  

Thousands of infant/toddler care providers applied for Michigan’s new Infant Toddler Quality Improvement (ITQI) Pilot Grant Program, which provides funding to address the infant/toddler care crisis in Michigan. In total, Michigan invested $36,500,000 into the ITQI Grant Program, giving child care business owners the ability to supplement wages and address staff shortages. 

Learn more about the program’s impact and how ECIC is advocating for additional funding.