Weekly Update, February 20th, 2012

From the desk of Pam Ward

Weekly Update -February 10, 2012

Snyder’s Budget Proposal

Thursday morning, Governor Snyder presented his budget proposal for the 2013 fiscal year, which begins October 1, 2012. The overall theme was the need for the State to support programs and policies that assist with the recovery of our economy, including his support of a P-20 system that includes prenatal care through college and career readiness. The Governor’s plan includes:

Early Childhood

  • Continuation funding for the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), the Great Start Collaboratives, and Great Parents Great Start.  As expected, language directing the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to develop a multi-year, phased-in block grant starting with GSRP was included in the budget bill.
  • As a result of the Governor’s Executive Order from June of 2011 creating the Office of Great Start, the Child Development and Care program funding was shifted from the Department of Human Services into MDE and is reflected in his budget.

Children’s Health Care

  • An increase up to 25 million for Healthy Kids Dental coverage.
  • The Governor also reaffirmed his support for requiring public and private health insurance companies to include Autism services.

Supporting Youth

  • While we are glad to not see cuts in critical programs, after years of funding reductions, continuation funding will not be enough.
  • Michigan’s Children will be working during this budget cycle to again increase Michigan’s investment in expanded learning programs and options for over-age and under-credited young people.

From Michigan’s Children

Looking Ahead…

Please visit our web site at www.childcarenwmi.com for details on upcoming trainings offered in our region.

Annual Great Start Parenting Awareness Month event

Saturday, March 3rd at the Emmet County Community Center in Petoskey 9am to 3pm.  Four dynamic speakers will present on early childhood issues and lunch is provided. A Child Care/Preschool Fair will occur in collaboration with the conference.  This is a FREE event and a great opportunity to network with parents and other early childhood educators and obtain 4 hours of professional development training (SB-CEUs are also available).  Registration is available on the Child Care Connections Training Calendar or by calling 231-582-8070.

3rd Annual Cadillac Area Early Childhood Conference

SAVE THE DATE—April 21, 2012

Wexford-Missaukee ISD

Career Tech Center

Lake Superior Room Featuring: Dan Hodgins, Early Childhood Expert

8:30am-12:45pm

Registration begins at 8:00am

2012 Early Care and Education Window of Opportunity Conference

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, October 12th

8am to 4pm at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey.

The theme this year is Nature Explore and More!

More details to come.