Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget Recommendations Release 

In a Joint Appropriations Committee meeting on February 5th, Senate Chair Sarah Anthony and House Chair Ann Bollin gaveled in the start of Michigan’s budgetary process with a presentation of Governor Whitmer’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Executive Budget recommendations. State Budget Director Jen Flood detailed the Governor’s priorities for investing in Michigan over the coming year. 

The $83.5 billion budget focused on reducing costs for Michiganders and increasing already historic investments in education for students birth to career. For our early childhood community: 

Early Care and Learning:

• $676.1 million to continue providing universal pre-K through the Great Start Readiness Program to an estimated 57,100 children, including: 

• $392 increase to the per child allocation, for a total of $10,577 per student. 
• $28 million in continued support for GSRP student transportation. 
• $25 million to fund startup grants to attract new GSRP providers and classrooms. 
• $61 million to continue expanding access to 3-year-olds through the Strong Beginnings program, projected to grow the program to nearly 4,000 children by 2029.   

• $50 million to provide prospective payments to offer affordable child care to families of infants, toddlers, children with disabilities and children living in areas where child care is scarce, and improve cashflow for child care providers. 

Early Intervention:

• $4.7 million increase for Early On services, bringing total funding to $28.4 million.

Maternal and Child Health:

• Includes $400,000 for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to study the expansion of continuous Medicaid coverage for children under age six.

Economic Security: 

• Continues the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, Working Families Tax Credits, as a part of the Lowering MI Costs initiative. 
• $1.2 million increased funding for young child supplemental payments to help low-income families. 

Cross-Sector Workforce: 

• Recommends $19 million to expand registered apprenticeship and apprenticeship readiness programs while offering training, wages and credentials to employers. 

To learn more about the full FY26 Executive Budget Recommendations please visit the State Budget Office website. 

We’ve Moved! 

Our office has officially moved! We’re excited to settle into our new space and look forward to the opportunities it will bring. Here’s our new address to update your contacts: 

Early Childhood Investment Corporation

6639 Centurion Cr., Suite 180, Lansing, MI 48917 

Four New States Working Together to Advance Parent Leadership

In the second year of a groundbreaking initiative intended to transform how parents lead in shaping early childhood systems, four states are collaborating through ECIC's National Center for Family and Parent Leadership signature program, "Who’s at Your Table". The 9-month capacity building series is being co-led alongside parent leaders from last year’s cohort.

Their shared goal is to transform early childhood systems by embedding family and parent leadership at every level. Early childhood organizations, government, and parent representatives from California, Louisiana, Texas, and Utah meet monthly to transform early childhood systems by embedding family and parent leadership at every level. Read more about the initiative here and consider applying to join next year's cohort.

Every Family Counts: Webinar Recording from the National Center for Family and Parent Leadership

If you were unable to attend the live webinar, you don’t want to miss the recording of the National Center for Family and Parent Leadership webinar recording celebrating the diverse tapestry of modern families and learn how to create truly inclusive parent leadership opportunities. This session spotlights strategies for engaging and empowering a wide range of family structures, including single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, LGBTQIA+ parents, and families from various cultural backgrounds. Gain insights on overcoming personal biases, bridging cultural gaps, and designing leadership programs that resonate with all types of families. Hear inspiring stories from non-traditional parent leaders who are making a significant impact in their communities.  Watch the recording here.

Governor Whitmer’s State of the State set for February 26

Governor Whitmer will be delivering her second-to-last State of the State (SOTS) to a joint session of the Michigan Legislature on Wednesday, February 26.  

"Michigan is a state on the move as we continue working together to create good-paying jobs, fix our roads, and invest in our students and schools," said Governor Whitmer. "I look forward to delivering my 2025 State of the State Address where I will lay out my plan to build on our years of strong, bipartisan progress and strategic, fiscally responsible leadership. By working across the aisle, we have cut taxes by a $1 billion for seniors and working families, fed every student free school meals, build a ton of housing, and fixed a lot of roads. We still face big challenges, but I know that if we all play on the same team—Team Michigan—we can win. I look forward to sharing my vision with my Republican and Democratic partners in the legislature. Let’s roll up our sleeves and keep getting things done.” 

The State of the State will offer Governor Whitmer a renewed opportunity to lay out her “Road Ahead” shared during the Detroit Auto Show, and opportunities for lawmakers to build consensus in providing for families and children. You can watch the State of the State at any of the following links. 

• Online at Michigan.gov/StateOfTheState 
• Facebook 
• YouTube 

Michigan Early Childhood Bill Tracker Updated

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) has updated our Michigan Early Childhood Bill Tracker to help keep advocates aware of bills in Lansing the could impact young children and families. To stay up to date, please visit the 2025/2026 ECIC Legislative Tracker.

American Relief Act (ARA) 2025 Child Care Emergency Funding

The American Relief Act (ARA) 2025 includes $500 million in child care emergency funding: $250 million for child care facilities damaged by natural disasters and temporary services , and $350 million in supplemental funding to improve access to quality care. Michigan has been allocated $7.53 million with MiLEAP expected to provide details on disbursement. The Office of Child Care (OCC) will collect information from eligible CCDF Lead Agencies for disaster relief funds with awards planned by Sept 30, 2025. Counties like Branch, Cass, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph may qualify due to last year’s tornadoes. Public comments on draft guidance can be submitted via the Federal Register here.

Early Childhood Advocates' Corner

Michigan State Senate Democrats to Reintroduce the Momnibus Bill Package

On National Maternal Health Awareness Day, Michigan Senators Erika Geiss, Mary Cavanagh, Sarah Anthony, Stephanie Chang, and Sylvia Santana reintroduced the “Momnibus” bill package (Senate Bills 29–39). This comprehensive legislation aims to improve maternal health outcomes by addressing systemic inequities, expanding access to care, and ensuring all families have equitable opportunities for safe pregnancies and childbirth. 

Lead sponsor Sen. Geiss emphasized that the package prioritizes equity, data-driven improvements, and culturally centered care to combat racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. Sen. Cavanagh highlighted the urgent need to address disproportionate birthing outcomes, particularly for women of color, noting Detroit's Black infant mortality rate is four times higher than that of white infants. 

This package builds on existing programs and has bipartisan support, aiming to improve maternal health care for all Michigan families. 

The reintroduced package of bills can be found in the press release from Mary Cavanaugh, State Senator.

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) has updated our Michigan Early Childhood Bill Tracker to help keep advocates aware of bills in Lansing that could impact young children and families. To stay up to date, please visit the 2025/2026 ECIC Legislative Tracker.

Get Involved: In the Community

Career Opportunities at ECIC

Starting a career at ECIC means joining a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families. Visit our Careers page to discover current opportunities and become part of a team making a meaningful impact in early childhood systems. Current openings include, Assessors, Innovation Associate, Early Childhood Career Development Specialist, Technical Assistance (TA) Consultant, and a Grants & Contracts Manager.