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Greetings!
Michigan's Children is a statewide,
independent voice
for children and their families. We work with
lawmakers, business leaders and
communities to
make Michigan a place where all children
have the
opportunity to thrive.
| Education Reform Will Fail Without Links to Early Childhood - Call for Creation of P-20 Council |
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On May 11, 2010, Jack Kresnak, President/CEO
for Michigan's Children, delivered a letter
signed by 25 state and community children's
and human services organizations applauding
the State Board of Education's inclusion of
preschool in it education reform plan, but
also warning that the plan will fail without
investments starting at birth.
In its testimony at the public hearing on the
State Board of Education's Principles to
Guide Michigan's Education System
Restructuring, Michigan's Children also
called for the creation of a P-20 Council
rather than a task force as recommended in
the Board's plan. The Council would be
modeled after those in most state's and would
serve as a more permanent home base for the
cradle to career system.
"A 21st century commitment to education needs
to start at birth and extend through
adulthood. Research supports it, and
Michigan's economy demands it...Clearly, a
new and bold direction is needed to build the
educated and skilled workforce that can lead
Michigan back down the path of prosperity,"
said Mr. Kresnak.
Read
the testimony, sign-on letter, and press release.
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| In the News: WLNS Airs Story on Critical Program Facing Elimination |
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WLNS Lansing aired a story on Wednesday, May
12th about the Legislature's intent to
eliminate funding for the Child Care
Enhancement Program (CCEP), which has helped
thousands of infants and toddlers at risk of
being expelled from child care centers.
An estimated 7,000 young children under the
age of 5 are expelled from child care centers
and preschools every year in Michigan.
Forcing these children out of care at such a
tender age, rather than addressing their
underlying behavioral and mental health
issues, only serves to prolong problems,
costing more in the long run and putting
these children on a trajectory toward failure.
Watch
the WLNS story.
Read
more about CCEP.
Send
an email to legislators urging them to
keep this vital program!
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| Michigan's Children Testifies on Critical Budget Issues Affecting Children |
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In the face of a $1.7 billion shortfall in
the state budget, Michigan's Children
continues to advocate for the need to protect
programs and services for our most vulnerable
children and families.
In our testimony before both the House and
Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on the
Department of Human Services, Department of
Community Health, and the Department of
Education and School Aid, Michigan's Children
has urged the critical need for revenue to
support basic services for kids and their
families.
Read
our testimony on our website. Visit our Budget
Basics library for more information about
current budget proposals under consideration
and how programs serving children are affected.
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For the latest budget news and updates
sign-up for
any--or all--of our three Action Networks: Early
Childhood,
Healthy Kids, Graduate Michigan by clicking here
to update your profile.
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