Blog

Blog

The Early Childhood Workforce Deserves Better

January 28, 2022

We hear about workforce shortages economy-wide in the news every day, and the early childhood workforce, which includes child care, home visiting, and early intervention services, is no exception. Michigan’s…

State Should Invest in Needed Professionals to Support Students and Relieve Overburdened Teachers

January 13, 2022

Speaking for Kids

Over the next few months, Michigan’s lawmakers will decide how to spend a truly incredible amount of discretionary surplus money, over $5 billion, including surplus state funds and unspent federal…

Meet June Battjes, Michigan’s Children Newest Intern

October 21, 2021

Speaking for Kids

Hello, my name is June Battjes, and I am glad to be joining the Michigan Children’s team as an intern this year. I am currently a senior at Michigan State…

A Teen’s Perspective: Growing Up as a Kinship Kid – a Life Filled with Losses, Worry but Much Gratitude

October 6, 2021

Speaking for Kids

October 6, 202I – I speak not only for myself, but on behalf of many other children being raised in kinship families when I say how grateful I am that…

Guest Blog: Child Tax Credit is a ‘Godsend,” Says Mother of 3 Teens

July 29, 2021

Speaking for Kids

(July 29, 2021) For many families, including my own, there is a need to prepare for the future on many levels. The past few years have really challenged us to…

Make Temporary Tax Change Permanent to Benefit Families with Children

June 21, 2021

Speaking for Kids

There is no more important work than that of helping young people grow into thriving adults. Nobody puts more work into any one child or youth than that child’s parents…

Now a Federal Holiday, Juneteenth Calls on Us to Build a More Equitable Nation

June 18, 2021

Speaking for Kids

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved Black people that the Union had won the war and they were now free. Those in Galveston…

Make Historic Child Care Investments Work for Families, including the Need for Summer Learning Programs for School-Age Youth this Year

June 18, 2021

Speaking for Kids

Making public policy work for children, youth, and families means helping families thrive, no matter what ages their children may be. This summer, many working families would like to rely…

Michigan Poised for Important Progress in Child Care Improvements

June 10, 2021

Speaking for Kids

Never has there been a time when more attention was focused nationally on child care access. The pandemic has exacerbated the already grim state of the child care system in…

Former Foster Youth Credits On-Campus, Post-Secondary Education and Help with Giving Her a Better Future

June 4, 2021

Speaking for Kids

As a child of the state’s foster care system, I’ve had experiences that most people couldn’t relate to. But I’ve also gained incredible insights into what helps young adults like…