General Info » Advocacy

Your Voice Matters!

Traverse Bay/Manistee Great Start Parent Coalition is sponsoring an opportunity to meet with Legislators to discuss family issues. This event takes place Monday, February 27th from 10:00am – 11:30am at the Michigan Works Office in Traverse City. Call 231-947-3780 for more information and to register to attend. Learn more about the Great Start Parent Coalition at Great Start Parent Coalition Traverse Bay/Manistee.

Young children and their families are rarely on the front lines lobbying for policies and programs that support them. As early childhood professionals it is important that we understand the impact quality early care and education have on children, their families and on the communities we live in. Investing in early childhood is good for everyone. The return on investment has been well documented. This short but very powerful video says it all.

Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything

Michigan’s Children is a statewide, independent voice for children and their families.  They work with lawmakers, business leaders, and communities to make Michigan a place where all children have the opportunity to thrive. Sign up for their newsletter at the link below to receive updates about important issues facing Michigan and Michigan’s children.

Voices for Michigan\’s Children

Speaking Up for Kids Newsletter

Kids Count – The annual report on the status of children in Michigan

The Case for Early Childhood Education

As we slowly begin to recover from the recent economic downturn, it is imperative that we take the time to focus on the future of our state. That future lies within the hands of Michigan’s smallest citizens, our preschoolers. In approximately 15 years these preschoolers will become Michigan’s workforce.

In a report prepared for the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in November of 2009, the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation presented tangible numbers.  Consider this:

  • Cost savings and revenues as a result of school readiness in 2009 is an estimated $1.15 billion dollars, including $584 million in reduced government spending and increased tax revenues, a $347 million reduction in social costs to the public, and $221 million in K-12 savings.
  • The cost of not investing in early childhood programs in Michigan is an estimated $598 million annually. Conversely, the estimated cost of expanding the Great Start Readiness Program to those children not already enrolled would be approximately $236 million per
    year.

Economists have concluded that in order to enhance and sustain Michigan’s long-term growth there must be a focus on early childhood education. Quality programs must be in place to ensure the stability of our economy in the not so distant future.

As business owners and taxpayers, it is crucial to recognize that by not investing in early childhood programs, both the quality of education as a whole as well as the skill of the workforce will dwindle, taking Michigan out of the running for economic competitiveness as well as reducing the likelihood of economic growth.

For more information surrounding advocacy for early childhood please visit the Great Start Collaboratives page and contact the Great Start Collaborative in your area.