You can help put our state on the path to prosperity! Receive notices of special reports, Action Alerts, updates, and more information specifically about early childhood issues.

Research shows that experiences in the first 1,000 days of life alter the architecture of young children's brains in ways that permanently affect their health, learning and development.  With a majority of Michigan babies - particularly babies of color - born into very low-income families, the need to expand access to services that support families with young children is great. Michigan's Children is committed to establishing a consistent funding stream for programs serving children from birth to age 3 and their families.

• 0-3 Set-Aside Fact Sheet
• 0-3 Set-Aside Letter to the Governor
• Evidence-Based 0-3 Programs in Michigan

Kent County Children’s Healthcare Access Program (CHAP) and Wayne County CHAP are improving health outcomes for low-income children while reducing health care costs. CHAP is a medical home model that was created in partnership with local Great Start Collaboratives as well as local health plans, hospitals, health departments, businesses and agencies. CHAP in Michigan began in Kent County through the vision and leadership of local pediatrician, Dr. Tom Peterson; a non-profit organization led by prominent business executives and philanthropists; and a forward-thinking managed care plan. Efforts to replicate the CHAP model are taking place across the state with Wayne County beginning to implement its CHAP model in 2011.

• Read our Focus on MI Communities piece on Kent and Wayne CHAP.
• See the joint media release by Michigan's Children, First Steps Kent, and the ECIC on CHAP.
• See the Grand Rapids Press article highlighting Kent CHAP.