We are a Detroit-based collaborative of over 40 organizations—nonprofits, educators, health care providers, foundations, and more—working together to ensure every child in Detroit has the care, education, and resources to thrive. Our vision is bold: make Detroit a city that…
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Blog
Hope Starts Here Work Advancing Prek for All in Michigan
April 19th, 2024
Last year, Governor Whitmer made a promise that all Michigan four-year-olds, irrespective of their background, would have access to a high-quality pre-K program, free of charge. The PreK for All action… Read More
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Detroit Champion’s for Hope 6-A-Days
April 18th, 2024
Six easy things you can do with your children every day to help support their development. Try: Giving a thumbs up or a high five. Saying, "you can do it!" You’re… Read More
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BIPOC/ALAANA Coalition
April 16th, 2024
Join Us in Expanding Awareness of Prenatal to 3 Policy Priorities in Michigan’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Communities. For the first time in our nation’s history, the majority… Read More
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Lend Your Voice to Support Expanding Child Care in Detroit
February 12th, 2024
On Feb. 15, 2024, the Detroit City Planning Commission will consider a proposed zoning amendment to reform existing regulations for licensed child care facilities in Detroit. Currently, child care facilities in… Read More
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Hope Starts Here Action Team Updates
November 29th, 2023
Over the last several months, our partner organizations have been busy in their efforts to make Detroit a city that puts young children first. Read on for some of the recent highlights of their efforts. Healthy, Thriving Children and Families…
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Hope Starts Here Marks Progress in Detroit
October 16th, 2023
Hope Starts Here celebrates progress for young children; Kellogg and Kresge recommit their support By: Wendy Lewis Jackson, managing director, Detroit Program, Kresge Foundation and Faye Alexander Nelson, Michigan director, W.K.… Read More
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Supporting a Healthy Start in the Michigan State Budget
August 9th, 2023
Michigan’s Children Recognizes Funding Increases for Early Intervention and Home Visiting The Michigan Legislature and Governor Gretchen Whitmer have reached a deal for the state budget for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year… Read More
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Supporting Quality Early Childhood in the Michigan State Budget
August 9th, 2023
Equitable Access to Child Care Takes Back Seat in FY24 Budget Plan The Michigan Legislature and Governor Gretchen Whitmer have reached a deal for the state budget for the 2023-2024 Fiscal… Read More
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TAKE ACTION TODAY!
August 8th, 2023
Contact your Congressional members about the Importance of the Preschool Development Grant Through Five (PDG B-5) Before its Eliminated from the FY 24 Budget. Congress plans to eliminate the Preschool Development… Read More
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Thoughts from a First-Time Attendee of the Mackinac Policy Conference
June 23rd, 2023
Do Your Homework Anyone attending the conference for the first time would benefit from sharpening their foundational understanding of the legislation, policies, and budgetary targets that help champion their work. Having… Read More
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Let’s get the Word Out on How to Lower Internet Costs
June 13th, 2023
Nearly 1.7 million Michigan households are eligible to get a discount on their monthly internet service through the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. The Michigan Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ACT Now initiative… Read More
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More Families are Now Eligible for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
June 13th, 2023
Michigan’s income guidelines for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) have increased and now more families may qualify for the program. Under the updated guidelines, a… Read More
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Upcoming Technical Assistance Sessions for Facilities Projects
June 2nd, 2023
With so many of you working on or starting applications, we wanted to bring you technical assistance sessions geared toward facilities projects, making child care spaces even better, and how to… Read More
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Power to the Profession: Career Pathways in Early Childhood Education
May 23rd, 2023
Many professions have different skill requirements, certification programs, and degree levels to excel in that chosen profession. Take, for example, the nursing field, where there are several different designations: Certified nursing… Read More
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State Program is a leap forward for early childhood facilities and those they serve
April 18th, 2023
$50M effort for high-quality early childhood facilities is a model for the equitable implementation of federal funds for children and families. The rooms are airy and bright. Multicolored carpeted areas are… Read More
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How a grant-funded renovation brightened one early childhood center
April 18th, 2023
Before you even meet a student at Detroit’s LACC Childcare Academy, you are greeted with smiles. Some of the students’ smiling faces are printed on bright green rugs that line the hallways… Read More
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Resources to Apply for Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund
April 10th, 2023
The process of applying for Caring for MI Future: Facilities Improvement Fund can be a little daunting. Wherever you are in your grant journey we appreciate all you’ve done, and we… Read More
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First Children’s Finance Offering Free Business Support Services for ECE Business Owners
February 20th, 2023
As part of the Caring for MI Future initiative, First Children’s Finance provides FREE comprehensive business support services for emerging and existing ECE business owners and leaders. The services offered include monthly trainings… Read More
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Governor Whitmer Proposes Universal Prekindergarten at No Cost to Parents
February 20th, 2023
In the State of the State address, Governor Whitmer made a big move for little children, proposing universal prekindergarten for all the State’s four-year-olds at no cost to families. Hope Starts… Read More
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Michigan Tri-Share Prototype Update
January 25th, 2023
A new year always brings hope, optimism, and new opportunities. As such we are collaborating with partners and across multiple imperatives to support the launch of one of two SE Michigan… Read More
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2022 Year In Review
December 20th, 2022
It’s hard to believe another year is coming to a close, and least I say what a year it’s been with all the highs and lows. It appears that we’re finally… Read More
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Governor Whitmer Launches “Our Strong Start” to Help Entrepreneurs Open New Child Care Programs, Increase Availability of Affordable Care for Parents.
September 19th, 2022
Our Strong Start program will make it easier for entrepreneurs to open new childcare programs, get licensed faster, and expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare for working families. This is the… Read More
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Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce Starts Today!
September 13th, 2022
The end of summer signals the start of a fresh new school year. And this year, kids of all ages are back to in-person learning at schools and childcare centers around… Read More
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Hope Starts Here Launches Ready. Set. Enroll., an Online Early Education and Care Resource for Detroit Families.
August 16th, 2022
Detroit, Mich., (August 10, 2022) – Hope Starts Here partnered with Homeroom Detroit to launch Ready. Set. Enroll., a virtual collection of materials, tools, and activities to support families in accessing… Read More
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Michigan Legislature Passes Historic $77 Billion Budget for 2023
August 2nd, 2022
It’s been slow and steady, but we are making headway in our efforts to improve Michigan’s childcare system and invest in our children’s care and education. Last month the Michigan Legislature… Read More
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The Summer Child Care Stabilization Grant Application Process Opens August 9
July 27th, 2022
Apply before September 9 to obtain funding to help your child care facility. If you missed the opportunity to apply for the Spring Stabilization Grants, all is not lost. The Michigan… Read More
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Spring Child Care Stabilization Grant Spending Report to be Released August 2
July 27th, 2022
Mandatory Provider Spending Reports Due by March 1, 2023 If you received a Spring Child Care Stabilization Grant, the time has come to begin putting together your spending report. Because this… Read More
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When Early Childhood Works – We All Work
June 15th, 2022
Whether you’re an owner of a small to medium sized business or the CEO of a large multi-national company, we all play a role in addressing the childcare crisis. Today’s youngest… Read More
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Advocacy Opportunities for Early Childhood Advocates
June 9th, 2022
Would you like to see a better future for your children? As parents, caregivers, and educators, we need to speak up and let our voices be heard in Lansing. We all… Read More
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Help us Identify Funding Gaps in Early Childhood Care and Education
June 6th, 2022
To better understand the cost of early childhood care and education services and identify funding gaps in Detroit, Hope Starts Here is undertaking a financial analysis project, and we need your… Read More
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Are you Affected by the Baby Formula Shortage?
June 6th, 2022
It’s been reported that nearly 40 percent of popular baby formula brands are sold out at retailers across the country. As parents scramble to find baby formula, The White House and… Read More
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