The Bulletin

January 2024

Introducing the Early Childhood Advocates' Corner 

Want to stay in the know on early childhood policy in Michigan as it moves through its life cycle without having to do all the research yourself? The Early Childhood Advocates' Corner will be a regular monthly feature in the ECIC Bulletin that will include a brief article highlighting legislation slated to move that month, a link to ECIC’s new Michigan Early Childhood Bill Tracker, and related opportunities to influence the outcomes of these bills.  

ECIC’s Michigan Early Childhood Bill Tracker provides an up-to-date list of pending early childhood bills in the Michigan state legislature, a brief description of how each bill would change existing state law if passed, the anticipated impact on the well-being of young children and their families (positive, limited, or harmful), bill sponsor(s), current status in the legislative process, and, when available, links to advocacy tools created by ECIC and/or our partners that readers can use to influence the outcome of Michigan’s early childhood-related legislative policy.  

Subscribe to ECIC’s Bulletin to access our bill tracker in the new monthly Early Childhood Advocates' Corner of the newsletter and stay updated about the issues you care about most. 

ECIC Opens Search for New CEO, Board Names Lynne Ferrell as Interim CEO 

Effective Wednesday, January 10, 2024, the ECIC Executive Committee appointed Lynne Ferrell as interim CEO. Lynne brings over a decade of experience in the early childhood sector and is a leader who can drive the organization’s growth, build external relations, advocate for policy changes, and ensure financial growth. Read more about the Board’s appointment.

FEDERAL

Ready, Set, Roll! Calling Families for Strolling Thunder 2024

Families! You know it best – our country can be a better place for babies. That is why we are partnering with ZERO TO THREE to identify families for Strolling Thunder™. Do you have a child under 3 and want a trip to Washington, DC on April 30 to talk with your Members of Congress about what your baby and family needs? ZERO TO THREE will provide:  

• Travel costs for the selected parent or caregiver, any children under the age of 3 (as of April 30, 2024), and one adult travel companion
• Training and support for meetings with Members of Congress; and  
• Opportunities and support in sharing your story in ways that can help move policy beyond Strolling Thunder.   

Families must be available to participate in preparation as we lead up to the event and must be available to travel to DC from April 28 - May 1.  

Find out more and submit an interest form today! The deadline is January 26. Questions about this opportunity can be directed to Kelly Walden at kwalden@ecic4kids.org. 

Get Involved: In the Community

Racial Healing: The Heart of Racial Equity, presented by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

As part of our core value to ensure race, community, and culture are celebrated assets in a young child’s life, ECIC joins the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in celebrating National Day of Racial Healing on January 16, 2024. We invite partners and community members to take action, attend a free nationwide event, and learn more about the history and context of racial healing, especially as it relates to early childhood issues.  

Webinar: Recruiting & Engaging Fathers as Parent Leaders   

Thursday, January 18, 2024

12 - 1 p.m.

Dads matter! Their involvement in the lives of their children, as well as advocating for children and involvement in decision-making for services for children is critical, valuable, and much needed. Too often, early childhood systems leave dads out, excluding them either by overlooking them or undervaluing their abilities, contributions, and interests.  

Join the National Center for Family and Parent Leadership for a webinar on January 18, 2024 from noon - 1 p.m. ET featuring experts in fatherhood initiatives to learn effective ways to recruit and engage fathers as you work to embed family and parent leadership as your new way of working. 

ICYMI: New Tools to Help You Elevate Family & Parent Leadership

ECIC’s National Center for Family & Parent Leadership published a new website in December! Parentleadership.org is a launching pad for states, organizations, and communities to build and share capacity to embed family & parent leadership to help shape decisions and become more equitable, culturally relevant, and customer-centric. Access the tools today to help your organization start the year out strong.  

Provider's Corner 

Licensed child care providers in Michigan: MiLEAP wants to hear from you! 

The Child Development and Care (CDC) program helps many Michigan families pay for child care. In the past, the child care assistance payment rates have increased because providers like you completed a survey regarding child care prices. Do not miss this opportunity to help influence future assistance payment rates.

Even if you do not accept child care assistance payments, information about the prices you charge will help to make sure that the program’s reimbursement rates are fair. 

The survey will take about 15 minutes. When you finish the survey, you will be entered into a random drawing for one of ten e-gift cards worth $150 each. 

If you have questions about completing the survey for multiple locations or need help completing the survey, please contact the survey team at 1-844-985-1290 or ppa@publicpolicy.com.