Michigan's Children

10/15/2026

We have 5 candidates in attendance for our Youth-Led candidate Roundtable today. Registration is in the original post.

Calling all Kent County Youth! You're invited to join the conversation this election season.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, youth ages 15-24 can join a virtual Youth-Led Candidate Roundtable featuring candidates from across Kent County (hosted in partnership with Michigan League for Public Policy and KConnect).
This is an opportunity to hear directly from candidates, ask questions, and have an open dialogue about issues that matter to young people. Topics and questions will be informed by responses to our youth survey.
📌 Register for the roundtable (Thursday, Oct. 15 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.): https://hubs.la/Q04zC_VT0
📌 Take the youth survey: https://hubs.la/Q04zC_VV0

10/14/2026

Do you follow Michigan’s Children because you’re passionate about early childhood? Does your algorithm feature stories about Rx Kids and child care? Maybe we should meet! Michigan’s Children is extending the deadline for applications for our Early Childhood Policy & Program Associate until Wednesday 10/21! Help us spread the word! MI kids don’t have lobbyists, but Michigan’s Children has been working for good public policy in the interest of kids for decades - and our kids and families need us now more than ever!

For more info: https://www.michiganschildren.org/jobs/

10/14/2026

Michigan voters are making the connection between child care, affordability, and our workforce.

According to new polling from the First Five Years Fund, 77% say child care costs are part of the affordability crisis, nearly 40% say coworkers’ child care challenges affect their ability to work, and 52% of working parents say child care challenges affect their ability to work.

The numbers tell an important story about the role child care plays in the lives of Michigan families.

For more information, look at our toolkit: https://bit.ly/MIECPoll

10/14/2026

It’s 10 a.m. in Michigan. Do you know where your absentee ballot is?

If it isn't here yet, make a plan and vote for Michigan's Children!

To request an absentee ballot, learn more info here: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/absentee-voting

To find your early polling location and when they are open, visit here: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index -voting-search-section

10/13/2026

Calling all Kent County Youth! You're invited to join the conversation this election season.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, youth ages 15-24 can join a virtual Youth-Led Candidate Roundtable featuring candidates from across Kent County (hosted in partnership with Michigan League for Public Policy and KConnect).
This is an opportunity to hear directly from candidates, ask questions, and have an open dialogue about issues that matter to young people. Topics and questions will be informed by responses to our youth survey.
📌 Register for the roundtable (Thursday, Oct. 15 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.): https://hubs.la/Q04zC_VT0
📌 Take the youth survey: https://hubs.la/Q04zC_VV0

10/13/2026

Every student deserves access to a quality education and the protections necessary to succeed. Michigan’s Children agrees that existing safeguards for students with disabilities should be enforced, not eliminated. As the Michigan Department of Education considers removing a rule that protects students' educational services during certain special education complaint investigations, we encourage state leaders to strengthen these protections rather than weaken them.

Read more in this Bridge Michigan article coauthored by Heather Eckner, Director of Education, Autism Alliance of Michigan:

The department’s decision not to use a safeguard should not become the rationale for erasing it.

10/13/2026

Medicaid work requirements are changing, and understanding what they could mean for Michigan children and families is critical. Join us on October 28 for our next Lunch & Learn as we discuss the upcoming changes and what child advocates need to know about their potential impact on kids and caregivers.

Register for the conversation here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aueC99OoSbONYkVH83XdNQ

10/12/2026

Parents today are working hard and still struggling to find affordable child care. We sat down at a child care facility in Fenton to talk about our bipartisan bill to cut red tape and lower costs for parents.

10/12/2026

Our partner, the MiPAAC coalition, has put out a letter urging the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to preserve an important protection for students with disabilities.

MDE is proposing changes to the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), including eliminating R 340.1853(4). This provision allows MDE, under limited circumstances, to protect a student’s educational status, placement and services while a state complaint is being investigated.

MiPAAC’s coalition letter asks MDE to:

Withdraw the proposed deletion of R 340.1853(4);
Retain the existing pendency, or “Stay Put,” protection;
Explain why MDE stopped implementing the rule “many years ago”; and meaningfully engage families, students, advocates and other stakeholders before considering such a consequential change.

Please review the letter and add your name or organization as soon as possible:

10/07/2026

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is proposing changes to the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE), including the elimination of R 340.1853(4) - a provision designed to protect a student’s educational status, placement, and services while certain state complaints are being investigated.

MiPAAC is coordinating a coalition letter urging MDE to withdraw this proposed deletion from the broader rule package, retain the existing protection, explain why the department stopped implementing it “many years ago,” and meaningfully engage families and other stakeholders before making such a consequential change.

From our partners at MiPAAC