Childcare Champions Awards | |
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On September 18, 2024, in East Lansing, Michigan, the inaugural Childcare Champions event recognized and awarded 12 employers who have made significant efforts to improve child care for their employees.
The event was sponsored by Pulse @ the W.E. Upjohn Institute and Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s Child Care Innovation Fund. The entire event can be viewed on the Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute YouTube page.
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Save the Date: Real Voice, Real Impact: Moving Beyond Token Parent Involvement | |
Join ECIC's National Center for Parent Leadership on November 12, 2024 from Noon-1:00 p.m. Learn to create meaningful parent leadership opportunities that go beyond tokenism and drive real change in early childhood programs and policies. | |
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In Policy: Acting for Young Kids & Families | |
Michigan Receives Grant to Support Early Care and Learning | |
Michigan has received a competitive federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Renewal (PDG B-5) award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Over the next three years, the state will use the $33 million grant award to enhance child care access by improving workforce benefits, increasing educator training and wages, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to ensure quality care for Michigan's children. Efforts will build on Michigan’s current investments and momentum to support the crucial role early educators play in our communities. Read More. | |
Congress Passes Continuing Resolution | |
U.S. Congress averted a federal shutdown last month, with a stopgap funding bill that has been signed into law by the President. This prevents disruption in funding for several social services including Supplemental Nutrition assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Head Start and Early Head Start programs. When lawmakers return to a new legislative session in mid-November, it remains unclear if they will agree on FY25 funding, or if another stopgap Continuing Resolution will be passed to newly-elected legislators. | |
Early Childhood Advocates' Corner | |
Babies Can’t Vote, But You Can | |
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Election Day is November 5, 2024, and will have significant impacts on young children and families. Think Babies offers a helpful toolkit to help educate candidates about the big issues affecting little children. Read the toolkit for information to help educate others about the big issues and voting resources for community members.
Be sure that you're registered and ready to vote. If you’ve registered for absentee voting, ballots are being sent so be on the look out. Early voting is also an option in Michigan. Visit michigan.gov/vote to register, check your registration status, and learn more about your voting options. Michigan law also permits same-day voter registration.
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Think Babies Michigan (TBMI) Members | |
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TBMI Coalition’s work has been made possible with the support and partnership of the Pritzker Children’s Initiative, and they want to hear from you! Their survey seeks to understand your satisfaction and sense of belonging and voice in TBMI’s work. Our goal is to take what is learned from the survey and use it to inform our coalition's work going forward.
Our goal is to have at least 85% of coalition members respond, so we hope you will take a few minutes of your time to do this. Thanks in advance for your time and support!
Interested in becoming a Think Babies Michigan Coalition member? Join now and be a part of the 2,500+ advocates across the state working to improve the lives of children and families in Michigan.
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Think Babies Michigan Parent Leader Spotlight | |
Meet Stacey Nongueskwa-Lopez | |
Stacey Nongueskwa-Lopez is many things—including a mother, parent leader, Early Head Start teacher, doula, and breastfeeding counselor. Stacey cites her culture and family as the key to her passion for early childhood advocacy and parent leadership. As a citizen of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Stacey highlights the Anishinaabe belief that family is paramount and should be protected. | |
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Get Involved: In the Community | |
ECIC Advocacy 101 Session at MiAEYC Infant Toddler Conference Session | |
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The MiAEYC Infant Toddler Conference on November 15 is a highly anticipated opportunity for professionals to explore the latest research, best practices, and innovative strategies for supporting infant and toddler development. Kelly Walden, MSW, ECIC’s Policy and Outreach Associate, will be presenting Advocacy 101 for Early Childhood Professionals training at the Michigan AEYC Infant Toddler Conference. She will discuss types of advocacy and how early childhood professionals can engage in and inform the process.
To register, visit the MiAEYC Infant Toddler Conference Registration page.
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Michigan’s 2nd Annual Infant Mental Health Capitol Day | |
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Elevating Voices: Parents and Infant/Early Childhood Professionals Shaping Services, Highlighting Successes, and Addressing Needs
Join the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH), Think Babies Michigan, and other early childhood partners on November 7, 2024 to champion the mental health and well-being of Michigan's infants, very young children, caregivers and families. Attendance at this event is complimentary thanks to generous sponsorships.
Registration is required and limited – register today!
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Michigan AEYC Administrator Institute | |
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Are you an Administrator or Program Director? Do you want to create a more collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment, ultimately leading to greater success and satisfaction, not only for yourself but your team too? Join MiAEYC for an engaging one-day training at the Michigan AEYC’s Leadership Institute!
October 22, 2024 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
AC Hotel, Lansing, MI
Register now!
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