Speaking for Kids E-Bulletin
2023
March 10 – New ‘Budget Basics’ Detail the ‘Asks’ Advocates Seek in FY24’s State Budget
February 24 – State Legislators Prepare to Take up Gun Reform
February 10 – Read our Analysis of the Governor’s FY24 State Budget Plan
January 27 – New: Registration Now Open for Michele Corey Child Advocacy Summit
January 13 – Advocates – Learn who to talk to under the Capitol dome; Committee chairs named
January 11 – Register today. “Where the sausage is made: The legislative committee structure and what advocates should know.”
2022
December 16 – Mentors for College Students from Foster Care, a New Plan for Detroit Teens, and a Special Holiday Appeal
December 2 – The Low-down on Lame Duck; Join our Last Lunch & Learn of 2022
November 22 – Friends, Will You Help Us Out this Holiday Season?
November 18 – Post-Election, See Who’s Moving up in Lansing; Plus, Panelists Share Tips on Connecting with Lawmakers
November 17 – Save The Date – Corey Child Advocacy Summit
November 4 – Sign up for Post-Election Breakdown featuring Lansing Lobbyists on Nov. 16th
October 21 – Attend new Parent-Led Candidate Forums Next Week in Detroit (virtual) & Grand Rapids (in-person)
October 7 – Upcoming Candidates Forums are Happening in Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Bay City, Detroit, Grand Rapids
September 9 – Join Us: Lansing Youth-Led Candidate Forum on Mon. Sept. 19, at LCC-West; Others Coming to Detroit, Royal Oak, Bay City, K-Zoo, Northern MI
August 26 – Look for a Youth- or Parent-Led Candidate Forum Close to You
August 12 – It’s here: Read our Election Year Engagement Guide for Voters
July 29 – New Reforms Hold Promise for Transforming the Juvenile Justice System
July 15 – Read Our Review of What’s Good and What’s Still Missing in the FY23 State Budget
July 1 – First Take on the State Budget Deal
June 17 – See What’s Planned for our First Youth- and Family-Led Candidate Forum in Detroit; More to Come
June 3 – Read our Call to Increase the State’s EITC to 30% . . . it’s Good for Working Families
May 20 – Will Election-Year Tax Cut Fever Derail Needed Investments in State’s Kids, Families?
May 6 – State Budgets Have Moved; See What’s in Store for Kids & Families
April 22 – Need Help Hosting a Youth-, Family-Led Candidate Forum? Call Us
April 8 – ‘Are the Kids Alright?’ Children’s Mental Health is Topic of Upcoming Podcast and Lunch & Learn
March 25 – Tax Plans Must Meet DualCrises Facing Working Families
March 11 – Read our Budget Basics on Key Advocacy Issues You Care About
February 25 – Read Michigan’s Children’s Advocates Guide to the FY23 State Budget
February 11 – Yay or Nay? Capitol Corner Reviews Governor’s FY23 Budget
January 28 – What’s Good, What’s Missing in Task Force Reports on Child Welfare
January 14 – “Michigan’s Early Childhood Workforce Crisis: The Way Forward” Opens New Lunch & Learn Series on Wednesday
2021
December 17 – Lawmakers Take a Holiday; Leave Empty Stockings for Kids Afterschool Programs
December 3 – Listen in to New Podcasts on Foster Care Reforms, and an Upcoming Pod with Sen. Stabenow on Build Back Better
November 19 – Support Safe Housing for Homeless Youth with State Supplemental Budget Funds
November 5 – Read Our Newest Budget Basics Reports Detailing Support for Afterschool & Adult Learning
October 22 – Dorigo Jones Named Vice President of Michigan’s Children
October 8 – Budget Basics Explores FY22 State Budget through Lens: What’s good for Kids?
September 24 – Sizing up the new FY22 State Budget: Big News for Child Care; Help for Foster Care & Afterschool
September 22 – Invest in Children, Invest in Michigan’s Future
September 17 – Michigan’s Children Hosts Advocacy Opportunity to Address Congress on Child Care
September 10 – Act Now: Urge Lawmakers to Use ARPA Funds for Adult Education
September 1 – Whitmer Administration Reaches Out to Older Foster Youth with Stimulus Checks
August 20 – Michigan’s Children Urges State to Release Chafee Funds for Older Foster Care Alumni
August 6 – How to Build a Better Child Care System in Michigan – new Issues Brief
July 16 – Senate Adopts SB27, Helping Child Care Providers Hurt by Pandemic
July 9 – The Latest on the State Budget, a new Podcast Episode and more
June 25 – Advocacy Grows for Governor’s Plan for $1.4 Billion in Fixes to State’s Child Care System
June 18 – Register for Advocacy Opportunity on Tuesday to Support Major Child Care Initiative
June 11 – Join Us and Raise Your Voices in Support of GSRP Expansion
June 4 – Our Suggestions for Reforming Michigan’s Child Welfare System
May 28 – Governor’s K-12 Funding Plan has Good News for Students, Early On
May 21 – Raise Your Voice for Caregiving
May 14 – Students Raise Worries over College Affordability and Access
May 7 – Michigan’s Children and Statewide Coalition Push to Stabilize Hard-Hit Child Care Sector
April 30 – Why You Should Urge Lawmakers to Increase Adult Ed Support
April 23 – Join Us in Fighting for Postpartum Medicaid Coverage to Save Lives
April 16 – Michigan’s Children Launches Podcast Speaking for Kids
April 9 – Remembering Michele Corey, a Champion for Children, Youth & Families
March 26 – Using Federal Dollars to Improve Child Care and the needs of Student Parents
March 19 – What You Need to Know about the American Rescue Plan for Mich. Families & Kids
March 12 – Read our New, Updated Policy Playbook (Part 2) & Get Engaged
March 5 – Matt Gillard’s Cap Corner Calls on Legislators to Put Aside Differences – for Kids’ Sake
February 26 – Urge Policymakers to Pass the Supplemental with Kids, Families in Mind
February 19 – Think Babies Michigan & Our Resources for Reaching Members of Congress
February 12 – Governor’s Budget Proposal: What are Key Gains, Missed Opportunities for Kids & Families?
February 5 – Read our Easy-Viewing Guide to Legislative Committees that Most Impact Kids & Families
January 29 – Winning Plays, Budget Basics and Virtual Capitol Week
January 22 – January Action Alert and Our Latest Staff Blog
January 15 – January Lunch & Learn, Covid Relief for Afterschool
January 13 – Michigan’s Children Launches Lunch & Learn Series
January 8 – Michigan’s Playbook for Immediate Federal Action for Families in a New Session
2021
April 1 – Michigan’s Children announces the loss of Michele Corey
2020
December 22 – Final Spending Decisions, Looking to the Future
December 18 – Lame Duck Progress, Action Still Needed
December 14 – Action Alert, Spotlight Story and Join us this week
December 8 – Michigan’s Children Launches Lunch & Learn Series
December 3 – Lame Duck, New Staff and Continued Storytelling
November 13 – Learning Together in 2021 Survey and November Capitol Corner
November 6 – Election Results, Voting Views and What’s Next for Advocates
October 30 – 4 Days Away – Take Action, Find a Ride to the Polls and More
October 23 – Lansing/Flint Forum Recap, Criminal Justice Cost Prevention and Voices from Youth and Staff on 2020 Election
October 20 – Peckham Forum, Capitol Corner and Kalamazoo Youth Candidate Engagement
October 9 – Kalamazoo Youth Forum, Surprise Veto and Advocates in the Press
October 2 – Our Latest Budget Basics, Voting 101 and Youth Justice Action Month
September 25 – FY21 Budget Announcement, Census Clarity and Futures for Frontliners
September 21 – 2020 Elections Take Center Stage, New Faces and Child Care Voices
September 11 – Kinship Care Takes Spotlight, Demanding Action of Gov. and Congress
August 28 – Youth Voices, Budget Update and Virtual Impact
August 21 – Back to School Priorities
August 13 – Congressional COVID Update, Virtual Advocacy and Special Announcement
August 6 – Federal Action Needed for Families
July 30 – Supporting Child Care Equity and 5 Days from Voting
July 27 – Congress Needs To Act This Week
July 17 – Dear, Congress
July 14 – Act Now!
July 9 – Budget Update, FFN Stories and Primary Countdown
June 25 – Engage 2020
June 17 – Combatting Evictions, Racism, and Re-opening Amid COVID
June 9 – Advocacy, Activism, and Action
June 1 – Our Kids’ Mental Health Matters
May 15 – Connecting with All Michigan Learners and Students
May 7 – Congress Needs to Hear from Constituents Like You
April 17 – Michigan COVID Decision-Making
April 9 – Resources for Partners, Caregivers and More
April 2 – Delivering Consistent Results to Policymakers
March 24 – Help Us Amplify Your Voices During This Crisis
March 18 – Check Your Mail, Count Your Kids!
March 12 – ‘Strength in Numbers’ Deliver Major Wins This Week
February 14 – A Closer Look: FY’21 State Budget and Afterschool at the Capitol
January 21 – Learning Afterschool and Beyond
January 7 – January 2020 in Full Focus
2019
December 10 – We need your voice to secure more budget wins
November 20 – Against the clock: Michigan State Budget for 2020
November 5 – We’re Just a Week Away, Join our Team Today!
October 17 – Rose, Ianni, and Ducketts To be Recognized as Youth Heroes
October 9 – Against the Clock: Wins and ‘last shots’ of Michigan’s state budget
September 26 – Relative Caregivers Take Capitol by Storm
September 5 – Your Voice in DC, Lansing is Waiting to Hear from You!
August 27 – Join Us and Help Make Child Care Affordable & Accessible!
August 21 – Action Teams Forming for 0-3 Investment; Learn How to Join Now
July 30 – Watching the Presidential Debates with Kids, Families in Mind
July 16 – State Budget Now in Conference Committee: Here’s Who to Call
July 8 – New Data on High School Grad Rates Offers Wake-Up Call
July 1 – Capitol Corner is Back: Read What Matt Has to Say about Fixing Child Welfare
June 24 – Read Our Newest Budget Basics Tips for Advocating for Kids
June 19 – Michele Corey named national recipient of ‘Fostering Exemplary Change’
June 10 – A Special ‘Job Shadow’ Day with Youth from Foster Care
June 3 – Time is Now for Budget Talks on Children, Youth, Family Issues
May 28 – Children Also Victimized by Opioid Crisis – Corey Writes
May 20 – Michigan’s Children Explains Progress on Emerging FY 2020 State Budget
May 13 – Making Foster Care a Focus in Job Shadow Day at the Capitol
May 6 – CAPTA Advocacy Needed Now – Contact Congress
April 29 – Strong testimony informs panel on preventing abuse, neglect
April 18 – Gillard Calls for New Investment in Afterschool
April 8 – How to talk to Congress about Child Care and Child Abuse, Prevention
April 1 – Look into State’s Evolving FY ’20 Budget with Michigan’s Children’s Budget Basics
March 14, – Critical Issues in Foster Care and Child Abuse
March 7 – Does the Governor’s Proposal Use Proven Plays for Children?
February 13 – A Playbook for Opportunity
January 25 – A Pledge to Fight for Proven Solutions
2018
December 14 – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Lame Duck
November 5 – Youth and Families Make Their Mark on 2018 Election
October 1 – Announcing Our 2018 Candidate Forums
September 21 – Tell Your Reps: Get To Work Next Week for Kids and Families
August 30 – Critical Bills for Youth Waiting for Action in Lansing
August 8 – Introducing Michigan’s Children 2018 Election Resources
August 1 – Making Michigan’s Children A Primary Priority
May 24 – Did Somebody Say Surplus?
May 8 – Taking a Fresh Look at Foster Care
April 9 – Let’s Talk Prevention
March 26 – Lansing is Closed…
March 16 – Spring Break for Schools and Legislators
March 2 – Caring for children in centers and in schools
February 22 – Michigan’s Children Have Ideas on Guns
February 16 – FamilySpeak: Adult Education is a Literacy and Workforce Support
February 1 – The Time Has Come to Invest in Prevention
January 16 – Please complete our 2018 Advocate Survey!
January 8 – Our State Budget New Years Resolution
2017
December 28 – Looking Ahead: Michigan’s Children in 2018
December 8 – Foster Quality Assurance Passes House
November 17 – This Week, Hunt Down Your Congressperson
November 2 – Fighting for Tax Reform For Kids and Families
October 20 – Major Changes Looming for Federal Taxes, Foster Care
September 27 – Kicking off the Kids Cup Challenge
September 14 – Are you standing up for Kids this fall?
August 24 – Michigan Parents: We Need More Mental Health Care
August 8 – August Advocacy Primer for #MIKids
July 25 – Federal Update and August Preview
July 11 – Michigan’s Child Advocacy Newsletter
June 23 – Michigan’s Children Joins Rep. Levin to Highlight Concerns over President’s Budget
June 9 – A Budget Breakthrough in Lansing
May 24 – State Budget Nearing the End, Federal Budget At the Beginning
May 12 – State Budget Advocacy Now
April 25 – Now Is the Time For Action!
March 31 – State and Federal Budgets Moving Forward
March 24 – Trifecta of Problems Call for Us to Work Even Harder
February 24 – Families Speak, Legislators Pledge Support
February 10 – The State Budget Process Starts Now
January 26 – Guidance for Congress to Protect Michigan Children
January 13 – Begin the Year with Action
2016
December 16 – Lame Duck Recap
December 6 – Your Action Needed During Lame Duck
November 11 – The Elections are Over. Now What?
October 19 – Michigan or Michigan State? Who Will Win the Kids’ Cup Challenge?
October 6 – Michigan Senate: Finish What’s Been Started
September 20 – Act Today for Child Care Assistance
August 26 – With 20 days left, Lawmakers have critical work for kids & families to do this session
July 27 – Learn about the Candidates; Vote in Tuesday’s Primaries
July 12 – Sandbox Party’s Back with New Youth-Led Candidate Forum
June 14 – Vacation-bound State Lawmakers Still Have Work to Do
May 17 – What’s Still at Play in FY-17 State Budget?
May 3 – Lawmakers Need to Finish the Job on Juvenile Justice, Foster Care
April 20 – What’s in the State Budget for Families
April 5 – What’s Needed in Michigan’s 3rd Grade Reading Bill
March 22 – Speak Up for Kids and Families, Contact Your Lawmakers over Spring Break
March 9 – We Examine Gov. Snyder’s FY2017 Budget with Focus on Kids
February 24 – State House Considers Legislative Reform for Teen Offenders
February 11 – Gov. Snyder Offers Major Support for Flint, Detroit in Budget Plan
January 28 – Boost to Early On in Today’s Budget Bill
January 13 – Michigan’s Children’s Policy Priorities for 2016
2015
December 22 – End of the Year Giving Letter
December 15 – Attention’s on Foster Care in House, Senate
December 1 – Michigan’s Children Needs You Now More than Ever
November 24 – Giving Thanks to Our Partners
November 5 – What’s at Stake for Families in Final Roads Deal?
October 20 – 3rd Grade Reading Bill Heads to State Senate
September 29 – Caregivers Address Trauma, Need for Training in Child Welfare System
September 10 – Making Michigan a Top 10 Education State
August 21 – Unresolved Road Fix Offers Another Chance to Protect Investment in Kids & Families
July 22 – Help Shore up More State Support for Families and Kids
June 30 – Do the State and Federal Budgets Promote Equity?
June 25 – Pledge Your Support for Michigan Kids and Families this Independence Day!
June 16 – Capitol Corner: Early Literacy Wins but Kids in Foster Care and Low-Income Families Lose
June 2 – How Michigan’s Challenged Learners Are Impacted by New State Budget Agreement
May 12 – Champion Investment in Education Equity
April 29 – Seize this Important Opportunity to Make a Positive Impact on Schools, Children, and Communities
April 20 – Act Now for Equitable Education Funding
April 14 – Opportunities to Take Action for Kids and Families
April 2 – Influencing the State Budget
March 24 – State-wide Talks on Child Care; and Broadening Support for Children’s Issues
March 10 – Children and Family Issues before the Legislature; and Youth Voices Have Impact
February 24 – Speaking for Kids in State and Federal Education Priorities
February 12 – Michigan’s Children’s First Glance at Governor’s Budget Plan
February 10 – Speaking for Kids in the State & Federal Budgets
January 27 – Welcome to Michigan’s Children e-Bulletin – Speaking for Kids
2014
December 12 – Your Input Needed for Better Public Policies
December 8 – Our Holiday Appeal
September 19 – Michigan Youths, High School Students to Question Candidates at 4 Statewide Forums
August 5 – Vote with Kids in Mind on August 5th
May 8 – Check Out Our New Website!
March 6 – Michigan’s Children Welcomes New President & CEO Matt Gillard
Lunch & Learn
2023
March 17 – REGISTER TODAY: How to Stage a Dome Day Advocacy Event
February 13 – Register today for our Lunch & Learn Program Exploring the Governor’s FY24 Budget
2022
September 19 – KidSpeak, ParentSpeak, Candidates Listen: Hear Advocates Talk about their Candidate Forum Experiences
January 11 – Michigan’s Early Childhood Workforce Crisis: The Way Forward
2021
August 11 – In the Know: Parsing Advocacy vs. Lobbying
May 12 – “Policymaking and the Power of Sharing Lived Experiences”
April 14 – “Crafting Effective Testimony with Storytelling: How to Put Your Policy Ask into Action”
March 15 – Join us March 17 for Tips on Crafting an “Ask’’
February 11 – “The State Budget Basics: How to Gain Support for Kids and Families”
Annual Report 2017
2017
December 21 – Connecting the Voices of Kids and Families
Action Alerts
2022
June 8 – Take Action for Improved Funding for Great Start Collaboratives
2021
October 6 – Join us in the First Five Years Fund’s Day of Action
June 2 – Act Now: State Budget Recommendations
2020
August 3 – Contact your Congressperson Today
2018
December 6 – Act Now To Raise The Age
December 3 – Act Now for Foster Care Protections
2017
March 8 – Now Is the Time To Protect Health Care
2016
September 14 – Act Now for More Child Care Funding
Early Childhood Action Network
2015
October 19 – Sign-on Today for Early On
July 6 – Early Childhood Investments in the State Budget
April 27 – Your Action Needed for Young Children
March 25 – Act Now for Home Visiting and Funding Other Early Childhood Initiatives
February 26 – Governor Snyder’s Budget — What It Means for Young Children
January 28 – Early Childhood Updates in Michigan
2014
December 22 – 2014 Lame Duck Review
October 30 – Are You Prepared to Vote?
August 15 – What Are Your Election Priorities? Take Our Quick Survey!
July 3 – State Budget Finalized and Your Input Needed
June 18 – Budget Update and Election Advocacy
June 2 – Office of Great Start Wants to Hear From You
April 25 – Talk to Legislators Over Spring Break
March 31 – Budget Update
March 21 – Support Early On License Plate
February 21 – Welcome New President and CEO, Matt Gillard
Graduate Michigan Action Network
2014
December 29 – Graduate Michigan Action Network Bulletin
November 3 – Graduate Michigan Action Network — 11/3/14
August 13 – Help Prioritize Election Issues for Michigan’s Children
July 30 – Encourage Primary Voting
July 7 – Comment on Model Code of Conduct
May 13 – Congratulating our Champions
April 17 – Take Me Out to the Ballgame
April 3 – Congressional Sign on in Support of Youth Employment
February 27 – State Budget Process Moving Forward
February 2 – Sign-On Letter Supporting After School