|
Community neighborhoods all over the city of Detroit are working to make their neighborhoods better places for children and families. Neighborhood teams are rallying around agendas for change, and working to make those changes reality.
Some of the changes we want are BIG. But they are possible. We need to change programs that impact Detroit children and Detroit neighborhoods.
- Sometimes programs that are supposed to help people just don't. They don't make sense because the people making the decisions aren't the one's using the programs.
- Sometimes there just isn't enough to go around and everyone who needs a service can't access it.
- The people making the decisions need to hear from people who know what you know and have experienced what you've experienced - with your children, with your family, with your neighborhood. Detroit neighborhoods know what could be done different to make things better.
We can be a part of the change. In fact, we already have most of the tools that we need to influence policy makers. We all influence people every day - our children, parents, neighbors, teachers, spouses, and many others. We just need to use those same skills to influence the policy makers who can make the big changes that we want.
Here are some simple steps toward making the BIG changes:
Target People Who Can Make The Changes You Want. We have to get to know the people who are making the decisions. They are representing YOU on your city council, your county commission, in Lansing, and in Washington, DC. When you vote, you are the boss.
Get Them To Listen To You. We have a lot of power to make changes happen, especially when we understand what influences the people who can make change. Knowing what would really fix the problems you are facing in your neighborhood helps us get our message across. Getting to know your elected officials better helps us put together the best argument.
To find out who your elected officials are click here.
Learn More About The Things You Care About. We are all experts in our own life experience, and policy makers need to hear our stories. Sometimes when we learn more about our issue (like child care or neighborhood safety), it helps us link with other people who share the same concern. That strengthens our arguments with policy makers.
To learn about the 2009 state budget and how it affected your children and neighborhoods, click here.
To learn about the 2010 state budget and how it will affect your children and neighborhoods, click here.
You Are Not Alone. Many different people want the same changes you do. Lots of them are working hard to make changes every day, and they can help you tell your story, find the facts to support your argument, know the best time to impact your issue, and the best people for you to target.
Act Now. Decisions are being made that help or harm for the change you want. You can connect with discussions going on right now.
School Safety Summit
Updated 3-4-10
Michigan's Children, in collaboration with Wayne County Community College, City Connect Detroit, the Skillman Foundation, and the United Way of Southeast Michigan is proud to offer the School Safety Summit.
Date: March 25, 2010
Time: 8:30 am to 2:15 pm
Location: Wayne County Community College, Northwest Campus, 8200 W. Outer Drive, Detroit
The purpose of this summit is to provide an opportunity for policymakers, school administrators, teachers, service providers, community leaders, parents, and young people who reside in Detroit to learn about the exciting initiatives under way to improve school safety in and around the city of Detroit. During this conversation, participants will hear from and talk directly with a small number of young people, who will share their insights on what would make them feel safer at school.
The summit also will help lay the foundation for a city-wide policy agenda aimed at increasing high school graduation rates, post-secondary school enrollment and employability of Detroit’s youth.
Download the Save the Date Flyer!
Download the Registration Form Here!
New Legislation Introduced in the House Gives Emergency Financial Managers Oversight of Academics in the Public Schools
Posted 3-4-10
House Bill 5817 was introduced on February 16, 2010 by Detroit native, Representative Shanelle Jackson. Specifically, the bill authorizes:
Contact your members of the Michigan House of Representatives and the House Education Committee to express your thoughts on these provisions.
Who Represents me in Detroit?
New House Education Subcommittee Formed on School District Academic Emergencies
Posted 2-10-10
In the last few weeks the House Education Committee has heard testimony regarding whether the state should appoint an individual to take over a school district because of academic failure. These hearings have also raised issues related to the Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act, and whether an emergency financial manager (EFM) should also control school district academies. In response to the matter, Representative Tim Melton, House Education Committee Chair, has designated a subcommittee to evaluate the issue. Detroit Native, Representative David Nathan, has been named chair of the School District Academic Emergencies of the Standing Committee on Education. Other members include Representative Timothy Bledsoe (Gross Point Farms), Representative LIsa Brown (West Bloomfield), Representative Phillip Pavlov (St. Clair), and Representative Justin Amash (Kentwood).
The Subcommittee has scheduled a series of meetings as indicated below:
Date: February 18, 2010
Time: 12:30 pm
Location: Lansing
Agenda: Testimony will be taken on the following question: What determines an academic emergency?
Date: March 1, 2010
Time: 12:00 Noon
Location: Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Avenue 13th Floor Auditorium Detroit, MI 48226
Agenda: Testimony will be taken on the following question: Should emergency financial managers also control academies, whether or not an academic emergency exists?
Date: March 11, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM or after committees are given leave by the House to meet, whichever time is later.
Location: 307 House Office Building, Lansing, MI
Agenda: Defining academic emergencies in local districts.
Whether emergency financial managers or academic manager should have prior background or proven track record in the position they are appointed to.
Guest speakers:
Mary Alice Galloway and Lisa Hansknecht, Michigan Department of Education
Brad Biladeau, Michigan Association of School Administrators.
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: Lansing
Agenda: Testimony will be taken on the following question: Should emergency financial managers or academic managers have prior background or a proven track record in the position they are appointed to?
At the conclusion of these hearings, the subcommittee will develop a set of recommendations that will be disseminated to the House Education Committee for adoption.
Individuals wishing to testify can contact Representative Nathan's office by phone, 517-373-3815 or email,
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
New Legislation Introduced in the House on the Decision Making Powers of Financial Managers in the Public Schools
posted 2-2-10
On January 14, 2010 HB 5747 was introduced by Representative Phillip Pavlov (R-81) of Saint Clair County. The bill is designed to modify school district provisions regarding financial manager's and school board's authority under the Local Government Fiscal Responsibility Act. Specifically, this bill:
-
Provides for review, management, planning and control of all the financial operations of school districts that impact the financial condition of the schools.
-
Provides authority to the emergency financial manager to develop and implement a financial plan that is binding on all school district officials, employees, and school board members.
-
Ensures that the financial plan is made available to the public.
-
Does not require that the financial plan receive public or school district approval before it is implemented.
Contact your members of the Michigan House of Representatives and the House Education Committee to express your thoughts on these provisions.
Who Represents me in Detroit?
Youth Employment Summit (presented by the Detroit Youth Employment Consortium)
Date: March 1, 2010
Time: 8:30AM-3:30 PM
Place: DTE Energy Town Square, One Energy Plaza, Detroit
Goals/Objectives of Symposium
1. To advance a community “Call-To-Action” to contribute to and be engaged in helping youth gain employment.
2. To educate the public and stakeholders on the importance of and need for year round youth employment opportunities.
3. To expose the challenges and barriers to employment for Detroit’s youth.
4. Share lessons learned and success stories from the 2009 Detroit Summer Youth Employment Program.
For more information, and to register for the conference, contact Angela Smith, City Connect Detroit, at 313-963-9722, or via email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Download the program agenda
Download a copy of the 2008 Detroit Youth Employment Evaluation Report
Publications and Resources
Take Action to Ensure that Education Reform and School Restructuring Initatives have Detroit Students' Best Interests in Mind!
Race to the Top: 2009 Education Reform Decisions and Things Left Undone
Contacting your Legislators: Tip Sheet on making phone calls and sending emails
Who Represents Me In Detroit?
A Snapshot of Graduation and Drop Rates in the City of Detroit
Issues for Detroit's Children: School and Neighborhood Safety
Gang Violence Prevention: What Are Our Options?
Bullying and School Safety
Truancy: A Serious Problem for Students, Schools and Society
Michigan's Children is proud to work with The Skillman Foundation Good Neighborhoods Program encouraging the creation of safe, healthy, and vibrant neighborhoods where children – with the support of caring adults, programs, and experiences – can develop fully.
For more about this program and to view an interactive map of the six neighborhoods click here.
|
Issues 
Join Email List
