Think Babies Michigan Policy Initiative
Learn more about the Think Babies Michigan Initiative by visiting: www.ecic4kids.org/policy-thinkbabies. For more information, please contact Alicia Guevara Warren, director of statewide policy initiatives at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) at agwarren@ecic4kids.org.
Think Babies Michigan Policy Agenda
Michigan is among 14 states to receive a multi-year action grant from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative to advance a prenatal-to-age three policy agenda that was developed with the assistance of communities across the state. Read more in this overview.
Over 950 Michigan families, advocates, researchers, government officials and service providers came together to create the Think Babies Michigan 2020-2025 Policy Agenda focused on:
- Increasing the number of families with children prenatal-to-three who are utilizing essential health, developmental and social-emotional support services (including Home Visiting, Early On, etc.)
- Increasing the number of infants and toddlers who have access and are enrolled in high-quality child care.
Michigan is the only state in this national movement to intentionally prioritize having parents, co-lead and co-design our policy agenda-setting process. Our vision is simple and powerful: Michigan is a top state to have and raise a baby. Our road map to achieving that vision is filled with ambitious goals. Download the Think Babies Michigan Policy Agenda here:
Policy Priorities 2020-2025
- Ensure that race, income or zip code does not determine a child’s destiny in Michigan.
- Develop a statewide, cross-sector infant-toddler workforce strategy.
- Expand enrollment in and access to high quality child care, early intervention, home visiting and preventative care services.
- Strengthen how families learn about and access programs and services.
- Actively support efforts led by partners and allies that positively impact infants and toddlers and their families.
While the country grapples with recovering from a global pandemic, policy work that dismantles structural and institutional inequities is critical. Ensuring that race, income or zip code does not determine a child’s destiny in Michigan is a top priority for the Think Babies Michigan Collaborative.
About Think Babies Michigan
Think Babies Michigan is now over 1,300 members strong–sign up and join us today: JOIN! Watch the launch event! There are many family leaders and organizations across the state who contributed to Michigan’s ability to compete and win this policy action grant. The Think Babies Michigan Collaborative is led by a Steering Committee of over 20 groups and numerous parents, including leaders from:
- Clinton County RESA Office of Innovative Projects
- Council of Michigan Foundations
- Detroit Parent Network
- Early Head Start – Childcare Partnerships
- Early Childhood Investment Corporation
- First Steps Kent
- Flint Early Childhood Collaborative
- Governor Whitmer’s Office
- Great Start Collaboratives
- Great Start to Quality Resource Centers
- Hope Starts Here – Detroit’s Early Childhood Partnership
- Intermediate School Districts
- Inter-tribal Council
- Kresge Foundation
- Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health
- Michigan’s Children
- Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health
- Michigan Department of Education – Office of Great Start
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Michigan League for Public Policy
- Nurse-Family Partnership
- Public Sector Consultants
- University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation
- and numerous parent leaders from communities statewide.
| The Collaborative is co-chaired by: |
- The Collaborative is co-chaired by: Matt Gillard, Present and CEO of Michigan’s Children;
- Gilda Jacobs, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy;
- Meredith Kennedy, member of the Asabike coalition of the Inter-Tribal Council, parent leader and behavioral health manager;
- Denise Smith, Implementation Director, Hope Starts Here;
- Quinn Wright, member of Great Start Wayne Parent Coalition, podcast contributor, parent leader and financial advisor;
- Amy Zaagman, Executive Director of the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health,
- and is staffed by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation
This Think Babies Michigan Policy Agenda was made possible by a generous grant from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative, an initiative of the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation. ECIC is honored to serve as the project lead for this collaborative, statewide initiative. To learn more, please contact Alicia Guevara Warren, Director of Statewide Policy Initiatives at agwarren @ecic4kids.org.
