Michigan's Early Childhood True Cost Report | |
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Michiganders know all too well that Michigan’s child care and home visiting programs are struggling with high demand, workforce shortages, and a lack of investment. As a result, many families across the state are finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable, high quality child care, with many working families paying more for care than their housing costs. Additionally, access to evidence-based home visiting programs varies dramatically across the state and from one zip code to the next.
The Think Babies Michigan coalition has partnered with the Michigan Department of Education and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive review of the true costs of early childhood programs and services in the state. Michigan’s Early Childhood True Cost Report: Fully funding child care, early intervention, and home visiting services is now available at www.ThinkBabiesMI.org.
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Child Care Innovation Fund
Gov. Whitmer Announces ECIC’s Child Care Innovation Fund Registered Apprenticeship Awardees
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced 12 recipients of Early Care and Education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeships from ECIC’s Child Care Innovation Fund. With this nearly $2 million investment, recipients will help finance, provide educational support, and increase compensation for early childhood educators in 65 counties across Michigan.
The $2 million investment for ECE Registered Apprenticeship grantees is part of the $12.9 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding awarded by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) as part of the Caring for MI Future initiative, a $100 million investment to open 1,000 new, or expanded, child care programs by the end of 2024.
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In Policy: Acting for Young Kids & Families | |
Federal Policy: WIC program faces significant funding cuts in FY24 Budget | |
When the House of Representatives recessed last week for their August break, they passed only one of the twelve spending bills required to keep the Federal government operating past September 30. When Congress returns in September, they will have a heavy lift to review the House appropriations committees' recently passed bills. One proposal within the appropriations agricultural bill could have major implications for Michigan’s youngest children and their parents beginning this fall. | |
ICYMI: State Budget Early Education Highlights | |
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In case you missed it in July, you can read our update on the highlights included within the state budgets passed at the end of June.
In addition, take a look at Michigan League for Public Policy’s summary of the state
budgets and a budget review from Michigan’s Children.
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In Our Community: Get Involved | | |
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Turn the Table: National Center for Family & Parent Leadership Office Hours
Tuesdays: 12 & 12:45 p.m. EST Thursdays: 3 & 3:45 p.m. EST
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Pull up a seat, because it's time we turn the tables! We're here to help you build your capacity to expand and embed family leadership. Schedule a 30-minute session with ECIC'S National Center for Family & Parent Leadership team of experts!
Questions? Email fpl@ecic4kids.org...
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Innovations from the Field: Home-Based Child Care Development in Rural Michigan
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Are you curious how ECIC’s Child Care Innovation Fund has supported the growth of home-based child care providers (HBCC) in rural areas? Join our free webinar, Innovations from the Field: Home-Based Child Care Development in Rural Michigan on Tuesday, August 29 10:30-11:30 a.m.
The Child Care Innovation Fund team and the Leelanau Early Childhood Development Commission will share more information about Micro Centers, innovative programs that are expanding the boundaries of what it means to be a home-based child care program.
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Think Babies Michigan Family and Parent Leader Spotlight | | |
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Think Babies Michigan is excited to share our fourth Parent Spotlight – a new series celebrating the parents leading the Think Babies Michigan initiative and working to build a stronger, more inclusive prenatal-to-three system for Michigan’s youngest. This month, we're shining a light on Salina Mann, a mother of two children born 18 months apart, encouraging other parents that it is "OK" to ask for help.
Read Salina's story
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Families, providers, teachers, and employers are all invited to join the Pre-K for All conversation! Join one of Governor Whitmer’s 10 community input sessions to help shape what expanded preschool will look like for Michigan’s 4-year-olds.
Learn more about providing input on the proposed expansion and signing up for community input sessions here.
Register for a local input session here.
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MiAEYC Home Based Child Care Conference | | |
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Join family child care and group home providers, home visitors, early childhood specialists, early interventionists, and other home based professionals for the 2023 Home Based Child Care Conference at the Sheraton Grand Rapids Airport Hotel September 9, 2023. Be inspired, appreciated, and engaged in learning with your peers at this essential statewide convening of home based providers in Michigan. Come together to learn new ideas for your practice and to share your voice as we advocate for home based child care providers here in Michigan. Lunch is provided with registration. | |
New Social Media Channels
Are you a child care provider participating in Great Start to Quality (GSQ)? GSQ now has family Facebook and Instagram pages!
These pages give families resources like tips on finding care, financial assistance, early learning activities, and more. Providers and partners alike are encouraged to share this resource with the families in your communities.
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Are you a license exempt provider? Check out a new Facebook group made just for you! This group is hosted by Early Childhood Investment Corporation's Great Start to Quality (GSQ) to provide space for Michigan-based license exempt providers to connect, share resources, tips, and advice. | | | | |
