Michigan
Our 2012 Policy Priorities
In 2012, America’s Edge members will be urging their state legislators and Congressional delegation to do the following:
a. State Policy Priorities:
- Increase funding for the state’s pre-K program by $10 million, including $3 million to be used to increase the per slot fee by $100.
- Restore $6 million to local Great Start Collaboratives through the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.
- Restore the child care subsidy to 90 hours (from 80 hours) for child care services to eligible working families, which would provide for an extra half-hour a day subsidy while parents travel to and from work.
- Restore child care eligibility to 185% of the federal poverty level.
b. Federal Policy Priorities:
- Fighting against cuts, and where possible seek increases, for Head Start, Early Head Start and both the discretionary and mandatory funding streams of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
Did you know that in Michigan:
- 2.3 million children (under the age of 18) live in the state;
- Almost 1 out of every 3 children live in a household with only one parent;
- Approximately 31,800 children participate in the federally-funded Head Start program;
- 69 percent of eighth graders are below grade level in math;
- 69 percent of fourth graders are reading below grade level; and
- 26 percent of high school students do not graduate on time with a high school diploma.
Click here for the complete Michigan Fact Sheet.
America’s Edge Members Release Report in Michigan
America's Edge Members at the Press Event in Lansing, MI
On March 23, 2011, our Michigan business leaders released a new report entitled, “Strengthening Michigan Businesses through Investments in Early Care and Education.” The report highlights the short-term economic benefits of investing in early learning programs, and shows that for every $1 invested in early care and education in Michigan, $2.11 is generated in total spending within the state.
The report release generated a lot of media coverage throughout the state, including clips on NBC News 10 (WILX-TV) and Fox 47 News (WSYM-TV), and a story on the Michigan Sandbox Party website.
NPR (WKAR) reported on the release as well as the Gongwer News Service, highlighting the findings of the America’s Edge report.
Click here to watch the video clip from NBC News 10.
Click here to read the full report.
On May 12, 2011, in response to a sign-on letter from the Michigan members of America’s Edge, Senator Debbie Stabenow wrote a letter expressing her continued support of early childhood education programs. Click here to read the letter.
On December 27, 2011, in response to a sign-on letter from the Michigan members of America’s Edge, Director of Strategy at Governor Rick Snyder’s office, Bill Rustem wrote a letter expressing his appreciation for our effort and support in early care and education programs. Click here to read the letter.
Op Eds and Letters to the Editor by America’s Edge Michigan Members
- October 19, 2011, the Times Leader, “Michigan Business Leaders Tout Economic Benefits of Early Learning Investments”
- October 18, 2011, Market Watch, “Michigan Business Leaders Tout Economic Benefits of Early Learning Investments”
- October 18, 2011, the Battle Creek Enquirer, “Businesses urged to invest in early childhood education”
- October 18, 2011, the Kalamazoo Gazette, “Investment in preschool education will net a better return than in manufacturing and retailing, study finds”
- October 18, 2011, the Kalamazoo Gazette, “Business leaders push for quality preschool education”
- July 7, 2011, the Lansing State Journal published an op-ed by Milton Scales, President of M.L. Scales & Associates, LLC entitled, “Early education offers great returns.” Click here to read the op-ed.
- On March 11, 2011, the Lansing State Journal published a letter to the editor by Jeffrey Blohm, President of Blohm Creative Partners entitled “Early education is vital.” Click here to read the letter.
- On October 2, 2010 the Detroit Free Press published an op-ed by Dr. Susan Koch, America’s Edge member and Provost of Northern Michigan University entitled “Investing in early learning will help build Michigan’s economy.” Click here to read the op-ed.
- 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.