Lauren Gerhard, Our Newest Intern: Is Passionate About Sustainable Social Change
September 12, 2024 – My name is Lauren and I am a senior Social Work Student at Michigan State University…
COVID-19 Advocacy Action Archive
Making the Case for a $15 Million Increase in Early On State Support Next Year
(March 14, 2024) Kae Dubay’s son Lee couldn’t speak until he was 2 years old, the result of a speech…
A Major Influencer of his Time, the Founding Father of Michigan’s Children had a Vision to Change Public Policy for Kids in Michigan
(Feb. 14, 2024) Cynthia Wilbanks said she was intrigued when she first learned of efforts to establish a new, first-of-its-kind,…
The ROI on Child Care Investments is a Winner – new Federal Report Finds
(11.20.23) A new report released by President Biden on the return on investment (ROI) of pandemic child care funding provides…
Challenge Lawmakers to Do More With What They Have
(October 20, 2023) This year, in a year of historic funding surplus, direct benefits for underserved children, youth, and families,…
When Child Care Providers are an Extension of Your Home Life, Saying Goodbye is a Tough Conversation
(August 4, 2023) – Two and a half years ago, I was hired onto Michigan’s Children staff to essentially deal…
To Give Youth a Chance for Improved Outcomes, We Should Recognize Foster Case and Juvenile Justice as the Educational Systems They Are
(June 7, 2023) Our foster care and juvenile justice systems are educational systems, and we must view them as such.…
Increasing Access to Early On and Child Care Top Concerns of Young Families at Livingston Forum
(May 4, 2023) Last month the Livingston Great Start Parent Coalition hosted a dynamic Q&A in Howell to learn about…
Hundreds Use their Voices for Early Childhood at Capital Day
Hundreds of early childhood advocates urged their lawmakers to “Think Babies” during a Capitol Day in Lansing hosted by Think…
Expanding Opportunities for Detroit Teens; Youth Voice Leads the Way
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the Detroit-based afterschool program, Teen HYPE, as youth hosted…