Head Start Standards at Risk: Two Ways to Take Action

On August 7, Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposed replacing major parts of the Head Start Program Performance Standards. These proposed federal rule changes would eliminate more than 90% of the Head Start Program Performance Standards — the safeguards that ensure the program’s quality and fidelity. This isn’t just about streamlining paperwork, it would eliminate service requirements that thousands of families across Michigan rely on.

At stake are parent-led governance, guaranteed services for children with disabilities, built-in health and mental health supports, and the classroom sizes and educator qualifications that set Head Start apart from basic child care licensing. In Michigan, more than 27,000 children and their families and nearly 2,400 jobs are tied to the program.

Public comment is open through October 6, and early childhood advocates are encouraged to engage on two fronts: submitting a public comment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and sending a personalized message to members of Congress.

We ask that you personalize your comments and share brief, specific details from your own experience with Head Start, as this can make your comment more meaningful, since the Administration for Children and Families treats identical comments from multiple individuals as a single submission.

We encourage you to attend Head Start NPRM Office Hours with ECIC on September 23 for an overview of what’s in the NPRM and strategies for engagement. Register here for office hours on September 23 from 6-7 p.m. EST.

ECIC Foundation's Inaugural Fundraiser

More than 100 supporters gathered for the ECIC Foundation’s inaugural ‘First Steps Bright Futures’ fundraiser and raised $88,595 for young children and their families. 

The ECIC Foundation was created to strengthen and expand the impact of ECIC's work on behalf of young children and their families. Nights like this make that mission real—turning a room full of supporters into direct investment in the people and partnerships building a stronger early childhood system for Michigan. As the fund development and advocacy-focused complement to ECIC's work, the Foundation opens doors that public structures alone can't, advancing the same shared goals.

The nostalgic, magical evening celebrated 21 years of ECIC achievements and our partnerships to improve Michigan’s early childhood system.

At the heart of the celebration were the inaugural Early Childhood Champion Awards, honoring parents, providers, and elected officials whose advocacy and leadership are building a stronger early childhood system for Michigan—right now, in real time. These are the people who show up at the Capitol, in classrooms, and at kitchen tables, fighting for the youngest kids who can't yet fight for themselves.

• Anthony Queen, Parent Leader with Michigan Early Childhood Courts and Co-founder of the Parent Leader Network, received the 2026 Early Childhood Champion Family Leader Award.
• Salina Mann, Parent Leader for ECIC, the Think Babies Michigan Coalition, and the National Center for Family & Parent Leadership, received the 2026 Early Childhood Family Leader Award.
• Little Dreamers, an early learning center located in South Lansing, received the 2026 Early Childhood Champion Award.
• The Child Care Network, Southwest CCRR, Networks Northwest, and 4c of the U.P., PreK for All Home-based Pilot Participating Family Child Care Network Members, received the 2026 Early Childhood Champion Award.
• State Representative Carol Glanville, serving the 84th House District, received the 2026 Early Childhood Champion Legislative Leader Award.
• State Senator John Damoose, serving the 37th Senate District, received the 2026 Early Childhood Champion Legislative Leader Award.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in investing in Michigan's youngest children, including our sponsors, whose generosity made this event possible.

Photos from the event are available to view or download here.

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Your 2026 Election Toolkit

The 2026 election season has significant stakes for Michigan. In addition to a gubernatorial race, all of Michigan's State legislature is up for re-election, and all but one U.S. Senate seat is up for election in Michigan’s congressional delegation. The outcomes of these elections will shape Michigan’s early childhood landscape for years to come. And with a critical 2026 election season underway, our state must engage in robust voter mobilization and candidate education to uplift the needs of Michigan’s youngest children and their families.

The Think Babies Michigan coalition, powered by ECIC, has compiled a toolkit you can use for voter and candidate education, including both early childhood-focused and general voting resources. New resources are continuously uploaded, including new resources from the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health as well as a handy palm card of early childhood-focused questions to ask candidates when they come knocking on your door.

Access the Toolkit

Candidate Forums

Think Babies Michigan is co-sponsoring statewide candidate events along with Michigan’s Children and other partner organizations.

Mid Michigan: Join us on Thursday, October 1st from 6:00 - 7:30 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM) at Delta College to hear from candidates running for state and federal office. Register here and view the event flyer here.

Battle Creek: Join us on Monday, October 5th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM) at Purdy Elementary School to hear from candidates running for state and federal office. Register here and learn more.

Candidate Responses to Early Childhood Questions

Ahead of the November election, ECIC and the Think Babies Michigan coalition are working to bring early childhood into the conversation. We have sent a questionnaire to candidates seeking statewide public office in Michigan about their early childhood policy priorities. Our goal is education, not endorsement, as ECIC and Think Babies Michigan does not endorse, oppose, or rate candidates.

We continue to publish responses as received on our website and in materials shared with partner organizations so families, providers, and community members can understand how candidates think about the needs of children from birth through age five and the families and professionals who care for them.

Responses to the questionnaire received so far are available here:

• Gus Tarraf – Republican, House District 3
• Hassan Nehme – Republican, House District 15
• Laura Perry – Republican, House District 31
• Nick Rowe – Democrat, House District 42
• Brenda Carter – Democrat, House District 53
• Jamie Sonneberger – Democrat, House District 63
• Stephen Schlaack – Democrat, House District 71
• Rachel Crowther – Democrat, House District 90
• Serenity Hope Salak – Democrat, House District 93
• Christopher Girard – Democrat, House District 96
• Edwin Dean – Republican, House District 103
• Matt Koleszar – Democrat, Senate District 5
• Michelle Nard – Republican, Senate District 10
• Abbie Groff-Blaszak – Democrat, Senate District 29

Who’s At Your Table Cohort Announcement

The National Center for Family & Parent Leadership is getting ready to launch its next cohort of “Who’s At Your Table” – a 9-month capacity-sharing series for early childhood leaders and families. This virtual learning series helps teams move from family participation to authentic parent partnership, involving families as co-designers of programs, policies, and funding decisions.

Information about the next cohort of Who’s At Your Table is available online, including:

• the recording of our information session,
• a detailed brochure that outlines the 9-month cohort series, and
• a link to submit an interest form today!

Have questions? Or is cost a challenge for your team? Please reach out to fpl@ecic4kids.org to connect with the National Center for Family & Parent Leadership.

ECIC in the News

Michigan Head Start parents, officials warn against proposed federal rule changes (WNEM-TV, August 19)

Michigan education leaders oppose proposed rollback of Head Start program (Yahoo, August 19)

Kalamazoo County childcare millage to bring $6 million in funding starting in January 2027 (FOX 17, August 24)

New Organizations Selected to Operate Great Start to Quality Resource Centers Across Michigan (Michigan Business Tribune, September 14)

Michigan parents can't afford childcare. The governor's race could change that (Detroit Free Press, September 16)

Moving Michigan to Practice-Based Coaching

As part of the redesign of the Great Start to Quality (GSQ) Resource Centers beginning in FY27, ECIC is partnering with MiLEAP to implement a new practice-based coaching framework to better serve Michigan’s child care providers and families, while improving the quality of programming young children experience. Practice-based coaching is a nationally recognized, evidence-based approach used in many states and Head Start programs to support continuous quality improvement and stronger outcomes for children and families. Studies have found that coaching can improve teaching practices, educator-child interactions, and children’s language, literacy, and social-emotional development.

Through its partnership with MiLEAP, ECIC will work closely with the Great Start to Quality Resource Centers to lead and implement the new statewide coaching framework. Additional updates on practice-based coaching and implementation efforts will be shared as they become available on our website.

MiLEAP announced the Great Start to Quality Resource Centers on Sept. 15. Learn more and see the list of grantees.