Early Education Matters

Monica Smith, Yevgenia Gazman, and Christine Sauvé, MIRC Detroit Office.

Ataques a las familias inmigrantes y lo que eso significa para la educación temprana

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Arts and Culture
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August 5, 2025

En 2024, los educadores de la primera infancia en el suroeste de Detroit observaron una caída significativa en la inscripción preescolar tras el aumento de la actividad de control de inmigración. Aunque el descenso no fue documentado oficialmente en ese momento, las organizaciones comunitarias informan que aproximadamente el 15% de los estudiantes fueron retirados de los programas preescolares del área en cuestión de semanas.  

Monica Smith, Yevgenia Gazman, and Christine Sauvé, MIRC Detroit Office.
Attacks on immigrant families and what that means for early education
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Economic Development
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August 5, 2025

Community-based organizations report that approximately 15% of students  withdrew from preschool programs within weeks due to immigration enforcement activity. Advocates and policy researchers attribute these shifts to the growing climate of fear among immigrant families in Michigan.

Julie Molenda
SBAM Nurture Benefits program enhances compensation for child care providers
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Community Development
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July 29, 2025

The Small Business Association of Michigan Nurture Benefits will expand access to health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings for Michigan's child care providers.  

Head Start and similar programs build academic skills as well as social and emotional strengths. 
60 years of Head Start. What’s next?
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Community Development
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July 22, 2025

As Head Start marked its 60th anniversary this past May, the program’s legacy stands as more than a historical benchmark. It offers a powerful example of how early learning can drive equity, resilience, and long-term impact. 

Rx Kids has provided for the Wright family stability during an unpredictable time.
More than a stipend: Rx Kids is transforming childhood beginnings
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Community Development
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July 8, 2025

Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional cash prescription program for pregnant people and infants, provides financial support to every eligible family within a geographic area, no income requirements, no strings attached. Families receive a one-time $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 per month during the baby’s first year of life.  

Shelley Roossien, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist at KDL, leads children through a building exercise.
Inclusive Literacy Alliance fosters early reading in Kent County kids with developmental differences
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Community Development
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June 24, 2025

The Inclusive Literacy Alliance is a collaborative, county-wide effort to improve early reading outcomes for children with developmental differences. Parents, educators, service providers, and advocates are piloting solutions that make early literacy more accessible and effective for children who are blind or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, or autistic.

All Gods Children Developmental Learning Center plans to be certified by Michigan’s free PreK for All program by fall of 2025.
Detroit early education center preparing littles for “the next phase in life” despite challenges
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Economic Development
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June 17, 2025

All of Gods Children Developmental Learning Center in Detroit exemplifies the need for addressing early education professionals low wages and the need for increased state child care subsidies.

PreK for All ensures that every 4-year-old in Michigan has access to a high-quality preschool experience, regardless of income.
“A lifeline for families,” PreK for All expands access and raises expectations
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Kids and Education
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June 3, 2025

Enrollment in PreK for All is now open for all families, no matter their income. The program operates across a mixed delivery system, including local school districts, public charter schools, private child care providers, Head Start programs, and community-based organizations.    

No-cost pre-K for all Michigan 4-year-olds enrolling for 2025-26 school year
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Kids and Education
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May 20, 2025

QA with Jeffrey Capizzano, Policy Equity Group, on the implementation of Pre-K for All no-cost preschool for Michigan 4-year-olds.

Hope Starts Here creates a plan to help Detroit become a city that puts young children and families first by 2027.
الأمل يبدأ هنا» يساعد ديترويت في إعطاء الأولوية للأطفال الصغار
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Kids and Education
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May 21, 2024

تجمع مبادرة "الأمل يبدأ هنا. " فريقًا من المدافعين والأبطال الذين يقودون الجهود لتطوير نظم الطفولة المبكرة في ديترويت. تمثل هذه المبادرة تعاونًا بين مؤسسة دبليو كيه كيلوج (WKKF)، ومؤسسة كريسجي، ومؤسسة ماكس إم. ومارجوري إس. فيشر (M&M Fisher)، ومجموعة من الوكالات، والمنظمات المجتمعية، والأهم من ذلك، سكان ديترويت. تم إطلاق مبادرة "الأمل يبدأ هنا" رسميًا في عام 2017 بخطة عمل مستمرة تمتد لعشر سنوات  

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