Michigan's Children President & CEO Jack Kresnak issued a public statement today in response to the release of the Kids Count in Michigan 2009 Data Book.

"The message of this data is clear: Children and families are languishing in this fiscal crisis. More children are poor and more are hurting from abuse or neglect. As long as these numbers continue to rise, there can be no turnaround for Michigan. These are our workers and our future workers. We must invest in them for a brighter future."

Mr. Kresnak called upon all policymakers to address problems of rising poverty, child abuse and neglect, and other risk factors detailed in the Data Book, by adopting the recommendations laid out in the Michigan's Children Policy Agenda for 2010.

To read the full statement, click here.

Kids Count in Michigan is a collaboration of the Michigan League for Human Services, which researches and writes the reports, and Michigan's Children, which assists with dissemination of the data to communities across the state.

To read more about the 2010 Data Book, click here.

Michigan's Children has released its 2010 Legislative and Administrative Policy Agenda.

Michigan's Children, through our Board of Directors, annually establishes priorities that guide our administrative and legislative advocacy. We use those priorities in our work directly with policy makers and to assist community leaders, parents, youth and others to advocate on their own behalf.

Our priorities for this year focus on our strong belief that children are key to Michigan's economic future and as such, we must invest in them to ensure a bright future for Michigan.

View or download a copy of the agenda by clicking here.