Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to pitch more funding for literacy and a pair of targeted tax breaks during her final budget proposal Wednesday.
Child care in Michigan
Stories about what happens to kids with care before kindergarten begins.
Posted inTalent & Education
How much lottery ticket cash ends up in Michigan classrooms? We did the math
Every day, people hoping to win big contribute to the state’s School Aid Fund. But is that money enough to pay for schools?
Posted inTalent & Education
‘Blindsided’ by budget cut, Michigan early childhood programs fight to survive
Across the state, Michigan early childhood groups work to connect families to resources. But the state has cut off funds leaving many in limbo.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan has ‘zero tolerance’ for child care fraud, agency says amid push for audit
Amid scrutiny of child care providers, the Michigan department in charge of overseeing child care programming says the state already has guardrails in place to prevent fraud.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan schools should disclose vaccination rates to parents, lawmakers say
The 11-bill package was introduced to strengthen the state’s authority amid shifting federal policies on childhood immunization.
Posted inTalent & Education
Lack of after-school care sends 687K Michigan parents scrambling
Thousands of Michigan parents are on waiting lists to get their children into after-school care programs. They’re forced to go without in spite of millions of dollars in grant funding offered by the state.
Posted inTalent & Education
Enrollment in Michigan’s free pre-K program for 4-year-olds reaches new high
State officials are touting the free pre-K program for 4-year-olds. Across the state, about 51,000 students are enrolled.
Posted inMichigan Government
In Michigan’s UP, a Head Start preschool closes. Blame the government shutdown
After its federal funding ran dry, a free preschool program for low-income kids in the Upper Peninsula has closed. Advocates say others are at risk.
Posted inTalent & Education
Many Michigan families can’t find child care. Could new business model help?
Nearly 9 in 10 Michigan families live in child care deserts. A state grant aims to help in two Up North counties.
Posted inMichigan Government
Federal shutdown hits Michigan telehealth, Head Start, environment, more
One researcher called the shutdown “a crisis in slow motion” and multiple officials said cuts will worsen if the shutdown drags on.