Michigan

Our 2010 Policy Priorities:

Federal Policy

  • Enact a strong reauthorization of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) that significantly expands access to and improves the quality of childcare funded under the program. For FY2011, we urge Congress to increase CCDBG by $1 billion over FY2010 levels.
  • Increase discretionary funding for Head Start and Early Head Start by nearly $1 billion for FY2011.

Michigan State Policy

  • Restore language to protect Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) funding for its intended purpose of preschool for at-risk 4-year-olds.
  • Restore GSRP funding to FY 09 level (restore $7.6 million).
  • Restore child day care eligibility to 185% of the federal poverty level.
  • Increase subsidy for Child Day Care services to recipients by up to 25%.
  • Continue support at $14.623 million to local Great Start Collaboratives through the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC). This includes training and other early childhood services and quality improvements.
  • Restore 0-3 Secondary Prevention Grants for intended purposes in Budget (K-12 at $2.1 million, DHS at $4 million, and DCH at $524,000); and Nurse-Family Partnership program in DCH Budget ($2.1).
Did you know that in Michigan:
  • 2.4 million children (to the age of 18) live in the state;
  • Almost 1 out of every 3 children live in a household with only one parent;
  • More than 31,800 children participate in the federally-funded Head Start program;
  • 69 percent of eighth graders are below grade level in math;
  • 70 percent of fourth graders are reading below grade level; and
  • 30 percent of high school students do not graduate on time with a high school diploma.

On April 14, 2010, the Lansing State Journal published an op-ed by America’s Edge member Cynthia Williams entitled “Investments in learning pay off for businesses, state.” Click here to read the op-ed.


“The America’s Edge research also shows that investment in early learning will save Michigan’s businesses millions of dollars lost every year because of absenteeism related to employees’ child care problems.”
-Cynthia Williams, Executive Director, Michigan Education Special Services Association, East Lansing, MI

*For more information, contact K.P. Pelleran at (517) 371-3565, or kppelleran@AmericasEdge.org.