Our Strengths

Michigan’s Children has more than 30 years of advocacy experience on children and family issues. Our strengths are:

  • Michigan. It’s home and we’re dedicated to making the Mitten a great place for children and families.
  • Exclusive focus on children and family issues. Some of our partners focus on a wider range of ages and topics – and we know all Michiganders are worthy. But at Michigan’s Children we know early childhood, K-12 and the move into young adulthood are critical life phases. We’re passionate about advocating for investments into children and families because we know that healthy children with access to equitable education, who are backed by strong parents have better lifelong trajectories.
  • Legislative & Government Knowledge. We know the players and out president, Matt Gillard, brings a wealth of knowledge on governmental and legislative processes. As a former legislator – he brings insights and relationships honed over decades. Michigan’s Chilren has helped write and pass legislation, and we’ve partnered with government officials and departments to make sure programs are transparent, responsive and effective.

Our Role

Our state is filled with people and organizations who care about children and families and making the Mitten great. Because we have great advocates and great partners, Michigan’s Children work to be strategic in the roles we play in different issues. We can:

  • Build. If an issue doesn’t have a champion and it’s strategic to children and families, Michigan’s Children will invest and find advocates, create tools, and lead development of policy priorities. For example, we are incubating the Michigan Child Care Providers Collective (MCCPC), a statewide group of Child Care providers concerned about making sure child care in Michigan is available, high-quality and safe. Michigan doesn’t work if parents can’t find good people to care for their most precious family members! MCCPC has now elected a board and plans to eventually transition to being a stand-alone nonprofit – but until then Michigan’s Children resources and staff will help build them up.
  • Convene. Sometimes we see innovative work being done on an issue, and Michigan’s Children brings advocates and partners from around the state to share knowledge and build stronger solutions through collaboration.
  • Partner. We’re not the experts on every issue, and we’re great partners. Michigan’s Children staff serve on numerous boards and collaborations. This allows us to amplify and add to our partner’s efforts and enables our small staff to have an out-sized impact.
  • Join the Choir. Sometimes Michigan’s advocates and nonprofit partnersare leading on policy efforts that could benefit children and families – and we just stand in the back row of the choir and lend our voice.