How will the Governor's proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 affect infants, toddlers, and preschoolers?

We know that without investments in young children, the state's attempts to improve schools, increase educational achievement, expand access to higher education and rebuild its economy will not be successful.

Read more about how the Governor plans to invest in young children in our latest Budget Basics, "The Governor's Proposed Fiscal Year 2011 State Budget: Highlights of Recommendations Affecting Young Children."

What have the state's economic decline and budget woes meant for the 22 percent of young children in Michigan under the age of five living in poverty? How has the state responded to their needs as they are disproportionately dependent on state assistance for basic needs? Has the state continued to invest in early learning?

Because of the known link between investments in the earliest years of life and children's ultimate success in school and workplace, the answers to these questions will forecast Michigan's ability to right its economic ship by investing in its future workforce.

Read more about how Michigan rates in investing in our youngest, most vulnerable children in our latest Budget Basics, "Michigan's Commitment to its Youngest Citizens: Reality or Rhetoric? Trends in State Spending on Services for Young Children."

On April 27th there will be a statewide dialogue on disparity, youth and prosperity, which is a part of a national townhall series on juvenile justice presented by Community Voices - Healthcare for the Underserved - Morehouse School of Medicine.

The disparity in outcomes for youth has serious consequences for the collective well-being of Michigan. When youth fail to succeed, Michigan fails to succeed. Now, more than ever, we need young people to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers.

Join us for this important conversation. Learn about emerging initiatives to tackle racial inequity and social injustice head-on.

We will be talking about the potential of our youth and actions we can take to ensure Michigan becomes a model of opportunity and prosperity for all.

Date: April 27, 2010
Time: 1-6 p.m.
Location: Kellogg Center, East Lansing, MI

Click here to register and for more information.

Presented in partnership with Michigan's Children, the Ingham Change Initiative, Community Coalition for Youth, the Ingham County Health Department, One Love Global, Michigan State University Outreach & Engagement,and Michigan State University Extension.