Like the state budget, the federal budget is the single most powerful expression of the government’s priorities. Unfortunately, the share of federal spending on kids has continued to decline since 2006, although American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars cushioned the decline temporarily. This is despite the fact that economic struggles in Michigan forced increasing reliance on federal funding over that same time.

Disinvestment at the federal level will be felt throughout the State of Michigan. In the current fiscal year, federal dollars support 41% of Michigan’s total state budget.  For the Michigan Department of Community Health and Department of Human Services budgets – departments that support Michigan’s most struggling children and families – federal dollars support 64% and 82% of these budgets respectively.  While Michigan’s education system is less reliant on the federal budget, federal funding supports most of the education programs that work to reduce the achievement gap – an achievement gap that begins early and grows over time.  Any cuts to federal programs in these areas will be felt by Michigan children and families.

With support from First Focus and Voices for America’s Children, Michigan’s Children is working to ensure that children and families are a priority in the federal budget. Specifically, we are working to protect federal investments in programs that support early childhood, K-12 education, health, and other critical safety net programs that Michigan children and families are reliant.