The Bulletin

November 2023

Introducing ECIC’s National Center for Family & Parent Leadership  

Recognized as a national leader for successful efforts to deeply embed parent leadership and voice at the state and local levels of Michigan's early childhood system, for over a decade, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) has worked with national organizations and partnered with states across the country to provide consultation, training, and facilitation to learn about ECIC’s two-pronged approach to Family and Parent Leadership to strengthen early childhood systems, programming, and policy.  



Building on its track record in Michigan and recent work at a national level, in 2022, ECIC launched the National Center for Family and Parent Leadership to provide a comprehensive array of capacity-sharing opportunities and resources to help states, organizations, and communities embed equity-focused family and parent leadership as their new way of operating. Capacity-building opportunities include:  

• Virtual office hours and technical assistance 
• Parent leadership and recruitment 
• Parent payment processing  
• Customized capacity-building plans

Family and parent leaders from across Michigan are playing key roles in this new National Center, which now provides equity-centered resources to seven other states that want to authentically engage and center families and parents in their early childhood systems. 

To learn more and receive updates from the National Center for Family and Parent Leadership, join our email list.

ECE (Early Care and Education) Apprenticeships Added to MiRegistry Pathway

ECIC’s Child Care Innovation Fund finds novel solutions to workforce supply issues in the early care and education field. Alongside Caring for MI Future, Michigan Works!, and other statewide partners, the Innovation Fund has implemented U.S. Department of Labor-registered ECE Apprenticeships across the state, increasing the number of jobs and educators in the field.  

Recently, MiRegistry has added these ECE Apprenticeships to its pathway system, which is directly linked to the salary scale for early childhood professionals in Michigan. Including apprenticeships on the MiRegistry pathway now means that receiving an ECE Apprenticeship certification leads to a wage increase, just as an employee would receive upon completing a CDA or associate degree. 

FEDERAL

President Biden Sends Congress Emergency Request for $16 Billion in Child Care Stabilization Funding 

Three weeks ago, President Biden sent Congress an emergency request for $16 billion in child care funding to help stabilize the loss of the $24 billion in American Federal Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocated for the child care sector at the height of the COVID pandemic. ARPA funding was unprecedented and instrumental in keeping child care businesses open by helping cover operational costs, enabling providers to pay child care educators a more adequate wage, and ensuring there were sufficient resources and staff for children in their care. If the funding that was abruptly cut off on September 30 is not replaced, it’s projected that 70,000 child care businesses across the country will permanently close, impacting over 3 million children and over 220,000 child care educators. The closure of these businesses or the increase of their rates to compensate for ARPA dollars will force millions of families to either leave the workforce or reduce their work hours to manage the loss in child care.  

Act today and let your Members of Congress know how this additional year of child care funding affects your family or business. 

STATE

MI Moves Closer to Improving Access to Social Emotional Health

Michigan is one step closer to improving access to health care, including social-emotional health for Michigan families and young children. Senate Bill 27 first introduced by Senator Sarah Anthony at the end of January has recently passed, mandating Michigan insurers to cover behavioral health treatment, including mental health and substance use disorder services, at the same level as physical health services.  

This bill addresses the disparities in healthcare and the significance of mental health in overall well-being. Mental health treatment can be especially important for children 0-3 and their families by providing support for mothers who may experience perinatal depression during and after pregnancy, as well as infant mental health. Every positive or negative experience that infants and toddlers have as their brain develops in their most formative years sets the foundation for their future well-being.  

Parent Leader Spotlight: Rachel Gerbig

Think Babies Michigan (TBMI) is excited to share another Parent 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 Rachel Gerbig, a mother of two and parent leader passionate about ensuring home-visiting services and maternal-infant health are available and accessible to all.

Get Involved: In the Community

MLPP Webinar - Child Care in Michigan

Wednesday, November 29

10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Turn the Tables - Virtual Office Hours Available

Tuesdays, 12 p.m. and 12:45 p.m.

Thursdays, 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

If it feels like child care is difficult to find or afford, you’re not alone. Join our partners at Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) on Wednesday, November 29 to review the state of child care in Michigan. During the webinar, MLPP will look at affordability and availability metrics, as well as policy and budget decisions and their impact on child care in Michigan.  

Pull up a seat, because it's time we turn the tables! ECIC is here to help you build your capacity to expand and embed family and parent leadership. Schedule a 30-minute session with ECIC's National Center for Family & Parent Leadership team of experts. Office hours sessions are offered on Tuesdays at noon and 12:45 p.m. EST and on Thursdays at 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. EST.

Provider's Corner 

2023 Child Care Market Rate Survey

The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Great Start is working with Public Policy Associates to conduct the 2023 Child Care Market Rate Survey, which was published in early November. The results of this survey will help to inform changes to child care subsidy payment rates. Informational webinars for licensed child care providers are happening so providers can learn about what will be covered in the survey, what details providers need to have ready, and more. Learn more at the November 20 Naptime Nugget at 1 p.m. 

Join using the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84491696262?pwd=bzEzSTEybXBFOEszTUtmWWRDNTNPZz09. 

Password: D5aKsi 

Save the Date - ECIC GSQ Quality Connection Free Webinar for Child Care Providers

Licensed child care providers: Join ECIC’s Great Start to Quality staff at the free bi-monthly Quality Connection webinar on December 13. The ECIC GSQ team will share updates and answer any questions providers have about the quality improvement process.