Grants Awarded to ECIC  

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) is excited to announce that they have been awarded four impactful grants from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). These multi-year grants collectively will support the growth and improvement of Michigan’s early childhood system and ensure that families with young children have equitable access to critical programs and services to support development in the earliest years. Read more about the grants and their impact.

Little Dreamers Day Care Achieving Dreams   

Little Dreamers Day Care is a Black-owned Lansing-based business, established in 2015 as a home child care program that has since grown to become a licensed child care center. Center Owner Jacqueline Taylor and Center Director Maria Robertson welcomed early childhood advocacy partners to discuss the ongoing child care crisis in Michigan and how small businesses like Little Dreamers could benefit from increased state investment in child care. Little Dreamers Day Care also celebrated its recent expansion with a ribbon cutting and ECIC was proud to attend this celebratory event.

Celebration of Early Care and Education Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Michigan’s Early Care and Education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeship programs offer a structured framework designed to address the workforce crisis in the ECE sector by providing a pathway for early educators to earn credentials and advance their careers while earning at least one wage increase through apprenticeships. In October, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), Michigan Works! Agencies, and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity – Workforce Development, celebrated Early Care and Education Registered Apprenticeship Programs (ECE RAPs) across Michigan.

State Policy

Millions Cast Vote in Highest Turnout in Michigan History 

Over 5.6 million Michiganders made their voices heard at the ballot box this election year. Republicans won 58 out of the 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives, reclaiming power of the chamber after Democrats took the gavel in 2022. State senators were not up for election this cycle, leaving Michigan split with a Republican majority in the House and a slim Democratic majority in the Senate. State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet won her seat for the U.S. House of Representatives so a special election will need to take place to fill her seat in the 35th district. Prior to the special election taking place, the state Senate will be split 19-19, with tie votes being decided by the Lieutenant Governor.

In a closely watched race for the Michigan Supreme Court, voters sent judges Kyra Bolden and Kimberly Thomas to the bench shifting the institution to the left with a 5-2 majority. 

Nationally, former President Donald J. Trump won a second nonconsecutive term in the White House. Republicans also won a majority of seats in the United States’ Senate flipping Ohio, Montana and West Virginia. By just 22,000 votes, U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin will replace retiring Michigan's U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. Republicans have won a majority of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives as well. The final margin of their majority is still to be determined as some races remain uncalled.

You can view Michigan election results here.

ECIC CEO Alicia Guevara Warren Provides Expert Testimony 

On October 17, ECIC CEO Alicia Guevara Warren testified to the Michigan Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services in support of additional investment in the child care industry. As the state works to solve an ongoing child care crisis, Guevara Warren called for additional state funding for early educator wages, Infant/Toddler educator wage parity, and Michigan's Child Care Scholarship program.

"We cannot ensure access to high-quality early care and education for families without the early educator workforce. They are the backbone and a critical component of the equation to helping families get to work, employers with productivity, and thriving local economies," said Guevara Warren.

Her testimony begins at the 58 minute mark.

Federal Policy

Appropriations Update 

Congressional leadership is set to reconvene later this month with several priorities post-election. Congress has until December 20, 2024 to reach agreement on how we fund the government through the coming fiscal year. Major disagreements remain between the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, specifically in base funding levels. While the current House proposal looks to make major cuts in social programs, the U.S. Senate proposal includes increases for critical programs like child care and food assistance. 

To learn more about the current proposed budgets check out the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Committee (LHHS) and the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Committee (LHHS). 

Early Childhood Advocates' Corner

Capitol Day Registration is Open 

Registration is now open for 2025 Early Childhood Capitol Day in Lansing. Join the Think Babies Michigan Coalition (TBMI), the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (Michigan AEYC), Mothering Justice, and the Michigan Head Start Association (MHSA) on Wednesday, March 12, 2024 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lansing as we urge our elected officials to prioritize the needs of young Michiganders. 

Get Involved: In the Community

Virtual Baby Fair

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is hosting a virtual Baby Fair on Monday, December 2, 2024 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Learn about resources available to Michigan parents and ask questions of experts.  

Find more information about the event and register on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website.

Provider's Corner

Licensing Rules Public Hearing November 19

MiLEAP has announced that it will hold a public hearing to receive public comments on proposed changes to the Licensing Rules for Child Care Center rule set. The public hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, in Lansing, MI. Comments on these proposed rules may be made at the hearing, by mail, or by e-mailing MiLEAP-CCLB-Help@michigan.gov by 5 p.m. on November 22, 2024.