Blog

Just When Practitioners are Needed Most, the IECMH Clinical Workforce is in Crisis: Michigan Faces Staggering Numbers of Unfilled Positions

3 years ago

The multidisciplinary field of infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) is growing across workforce sectors and the demand for IECMH services is increasing thanks to many systems-building, policy, and…

Including Youth and Family Voice in Michigan’s Juvenile Justice Assessment and Recommendations Process

Speaking for Kids

3 years ago

At The Council of State Governments Justice Center, we understand that including youth and family voice in policy development is critical to identifying effective solutions that improve outcomes for youth.…

Carrying the Legacy Forward: Michele Corey Personified Active Democratic Participation

Speaking for Kids

3 years ago

(March 31, 2022) In the past two pandemic years we’ve all seen the ubiquitous signs around schools, medical facilities and other public spaces proclaiming, “Heroes Work Here.” Heroes can be…

Making Juvenile Justice more Just for All Michigan Youth, Especially the Most Marginalized

Speaking for Kids

3 years ago

When you hear the words Juvenile Justice, what comes into your mind? Is it a youth in the courtroom or is it a child in the classroom? Is it removing…

The Early Childhood Workforce Deserves Better

Speaking for Kids

3 years ago

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

Speaking for Kids

3 years ago

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

Speaking for Kids

4 years ago

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

Speaking for Kids

4 years ago

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

Speaking for Kids

4 years ago

(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

Speaking for Kids

4 years ago

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…