Act Now: Educate Your Lawmakers About Michigan's Child Care System! | | |
ECIC continues to monitor the threats to federal child care funding in Michigan and across the nation. Child Care Development Funds (CCDF) support critical early care and education programs, young children, and working families through programs like Michigan’s Child Development and Care (CDC) Scholarship.
ECIC calls on community members to educate their lawmakers about the CDC Scholarship’s impact, its regular audits and oversight mechanisms, and how it strengthens Michigan’s economy.
Read ECIC’s new resource to learn more about the CDC Scholarship: Care You Can Count On: Integrity in Michigan's CDC Scholarship.
Tell your lawmakers to maintain access to critical early care and education programs funded by CCDF. Visit ECIC’s Action Center to make your voice heard.
| | Join ECIC’s Office Hours to Protect Important Federal Child Care Rules | | |
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) related to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which funds Michigan’s Child Development and Care (CDC) Scholarship program. The proposed rules would rescind 2024 CCDF requirements which support families’ access to affordable child care and stabilize child care businesses.
For an overview of the NPRM, questions, or assistance crafting and submitting a public comment, join one of ECIC's two NPRM office hours on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 12-1 p.m. ET or 6-7 p.m. ET. Registration is required. Keep an eye on your email for more information. For questions, please reach out to ogorczyca@ecic4kids.org.
| | ECIC In the News: Leading Early Childhood Strategy Statewide | | |
How does ECIC lead statewide strategy to create a foundation for children and families?
ECIC CEO Alicia Guevara joined Early Education Matters at The Educational Child Care Center (EC3) in Lansing to discuss early childhood policy, ECIC's vision, and how Michigan can continue to strengthen its early childhood systems.
Read more from Concentrate Media.
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In Policy: Acting for Young Kids & Families
State Policy
| | ECIC's Response to CREC: Investing in Early Childhood Pays Dividends | | |
The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC), which marks the beginning of Michigan’s annual state budget process, was held on Friday, January 16. As ECIC closely monitors the state budget process, ECIC CEO Alicia Guevara released a statement about the importance of investing in early childhood when anticipated revenues are tight.
“When resources are limited, it becomes even more vital for lawmakers to invest in what delivers the greatest return for Michigan’s families, communities, and economy. There is no investment with a stronger or more proven return than early childhood, where every dollar invested in high-quality programs delivers at least $7 in long-term economic benefits,” said Guevara. Read the full statement.
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| Tell Congress to Protect and Prioritize Funding for Early Childhood | | |
As the federal government approaches expiration of its continuing resolution on January 30, your voice is still needed. The U.S. House, in partnership with the U.S. Senate, recently reached an agreement that will provide funding for child care and early learning programs for FY26. Urge your Member of Congress to continue this bipartisan momentum and support these vital early learning investments!
Use ECIC’s Action Center to contact your federal lawmakers, and tell them to put Michigan’s working families and young children first.
| | Early Childhood Advocates' Corner | | Early Childhood Capitol Day 2026 | |
In-person registration is full for this year's Early Childhood Capitol Day, but there will be new opportunities for virtual advocacy this year. Watch our social media and future issues of the Bulletin for updates on how to get involved!
Hosted by the Think Babies Michigan Coalition (TBMI), Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (Michigan AEYC), Mothering Justice, and Michigan Head Start Association (MHSA), Early Childhood Capitol Day 2026 will take place on Tuesday, April 21. Join parents, early childhood professionals, and advocates from across the state: urge legislators to prioritize early childhood in Michigan!
| | Join NCFPL's Next Quarterly Webinar Today! | | |
Families don’t fall through the cracks by accident — cracks are created by the way systems are designed, funded, and governed. NCFPL's next webinar, hosted today at 1 p.m., discusses the structural reasons behind persistent barriers and spotlights communities that have redesigned their systems to be more responsive.
Why Systems Struggle — and How They Can Change
Thursday, January 22, 2026
1-2 p.m. ET
| | | Get Involved: In the Community | | Join Strolling Thunder in Washington, D.C.! | | |
Have a child 0-3 and want to help write a new chapter for America that prioritizes babies and families? It’s time to share your story! As Strolling Thunder marks 10 years of family voices, ZERO TO THREE is looking for families to represent Michigan at this year’s event!
Learn more and submit an interest form by February 13, 2026.
| | Make Your Voice Heard: 2026 NAEYC ECE Workforce Survey | | |
From compensation and staffing to classroom conditions and program challenges, your voice helps shape federal and state policy, inform media coverage, and strengthen advocacy for the ECE workforce. Participants are entered into a drawing for one of ten $100 gift cards!
- Open to all early childhood professionals
- Available in English and Spanish
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Closes today, January 22!
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