Maddie Elliott and Policy and Program Associate (She/her)
Maddie Elliott is the Early Childhood (EC) Policy and Programs Associate at Michigan’s Children. In this role, Maddie fights for policies that increase access to childcare, early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities, infant and early childhood mental health services, and voluntary home visiting programs. In her four years in this role, Maddie has become an effective partner to policymakers and a trusted voice in Michigan’s early childhood sector. She produces EC advocacy tools, leads advocacy campaigns, and is sought after as a policy advocacy trainer for EC groups statewide. Maddie is a key founding member of the Michigan Childcare Provider Collective and convenes and leads a monthly statewide meeting of early childhood advocates focused on information sharing and advocacy campaigns. She holds a BA in Social Work with a Minor in Human Behavior and Social Services from Michigan State University.
Maddie also nannied for 8 years while in school and has a love for children and reverence for the unsung work that parents, caregivers, and early childhood teachers do to raise strong children and end cycles of generational trauma. Her passion for mental health, born of personal and community experiences with mental illness and loss, drew her to EC advocacy, where support for children in their first three years can set a foundation of positive mental health and relational well being that fosters resilience throughout a child’s entire life.
In her free time, Maddie enjoys hiking, gardening, playing music, relaxing with her cats Macy and Gizmo, and enjoying Michigan’s gorgeous lakes and beaches. She is an active member of the Lansing community, fighting for low-income and unhoused neighbors in the Lansing chapter of the Rent is Too Damn High Coalition.
“The best version of yourself is not a future version, but a daily choice.” -unknown
Maddie also represents Michigan’s Children and contributes work and leadership to:
- Michigan Child Care Provider Collective, Founding Member
- Early On Michigan Coalition, Co-Chair
- Early On Michigan Foundation, Board Member
- Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health Board, Board Liaison
- Zero to Three Infant Mental Health Financing Policy Project, Partner in Michigan’s cohort