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 passed a $77 billion bipartisan budget for the 2023 fiscal year featuring major increases in education spending. It is the largest student investment in Michigan’s history according to the Governor’s Office. Highlights of the bill include:
- Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) – $34 million.
- Serving an additional 50,000 four-year old’s
- 1,300 new preschool slots
- Includes additional funding for the ongoing expansion of GSRP
- Increase in the per slot allotment up to $9,150, consistent with the K-12 foundation allowance.
- Strong Beginnings Program – $2.2 million
- Early On – Additional $7.1 million
- Tri-Share Program – $2.5 million
- Before and After School Programs – $25 million one-time
- Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies – $1.2 million to expand access to doula care
- Child and Adolescent Health Centers – Additional $25 million to expand access to school-based physical and mental health care
- Student Funding – $9,150 in funding per student in public schools
- School Safety and Mental Health – $214 million
- School Infrastructure – $475 million
- Aspiring Educators – $10,000 in tuition money for 2,500 aspiring educators each year
Additionally, some federal childcare funds were reappropriated providing more services to families before the federal spending deadline. This includes:
- Extending the waiver of family copays through FY 2023
- Authorizing a fourth round of stabilization grants for childcare providers
- Allocating funding for infant and early childhood mental health (now $3 million)
- Adding a 10 percent ongoing rate increase so providers are reimbursed for full-time, part-time, or wraparound care
“Michigan kids deserve to feel safe and supported in school, and I am proud that we have come together to deliver a historic, bipartisan education budget that will make game-changing investments to improve students’ in-class experience,” Governor Whitmer said. “The budget has the highest state per-student funding in Michigan history to improve kid’s in-person learning experience and help schools buy new textbooks, offer more personalized instruction, and expand AP and honors classes. It also bolsters resources for special education, at-risk students, and career and technical education while increasing slots in free tutoring, before-school, after-school, and preschool programs to get our kids back on track for long-term success.”
We still have a long way to go but we are heading in the right direction.
To read more about this historic legislation, check out these articles:
- Crains Detroit Business – July 1, 2022 – Ten Things to Know About the New State Budget Lawmakers Passed Overnight
- dbusiness – July 1, 2022 – Michigan Legislature Passes $77B Budget for 2023 FY, More Funding for Education and Roads
- Detroit Free Press – July 21, 2022 – Michigan is Desperately Trying to Make Private Child Care are More Affordable.
- Chalkbeat Detroit – June 30, 2022 – Michigan Budget Boosts Special Education, Teacher Recruitment and Mental Health