About Us Events Calendar Child Care Parenting Information Adoption Information Respite Care Disability Topics Lead Poisoning Home What is Early On? Where to find help for your child Childhood Development Early Childhood Early Literacy Preschool State & National Links Professional Development Downloadable Publications Medical Dictionary Child Health Vaccinations & Immunizations Search & Glossaries Bridges4Kids Great Parents/Great Start Early On Michigan Menu
 Where to find help for a child in Michigan, Anywhere in the U.S., or Canada
 
www

ECM

What's New? ~ Contact Us ~ Submit a Referral ~ Site Map ~ Translate

  Last Updated on 03/23/2009

Michigan Child Care Task Force: Minutes for January 3, 2007 Meeting
 
NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting of the Michigan Child Care Task Force (MCCTF) will be the MCCTF Legislative Action Day on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at a location to be announced in Lansing.  MCCTF members are being asked to contact their legislators to set up personal meetings that day.  For more information, contact the MCCTF co-chairs Jane Zehnder-Merrell at janez@michleagueforhumansvs.org, or Richard Lower at richard@mhsa.ws.
 
GUEST SPEAKER:  Jane Zehnder-Merrell introduced Darrell Tennis, the co-founder of Capitol Services, Inc., an issues-based multi-client lobbying and governmental consulting firm in Lansing.  Mr. Tennis graciously agreed to speak to the MCCTF when the scheduled speaker, Craig Ruff, Senior Policy Fellow of Public Sector Consultants, needed to cancel to attend the funeral of former President Gerald Ford.  In addition to his work with Capitol Services, Inc., Mr. Tennis has served as a legislative liaison for the State of Michigan’s Department of Labor, as Director of Legislation for the Michigan State AFL-CIO, and as International Representative for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees International Union.    He has also served on several gubernatorial commissions, including the Michigan Employment Security Council and the Michigan Rural Development Advisory Council.
 
Mr. Tennis began by discussing the recent election, noting several distinguishing characteristics of the 2006 election:
· Length and cost of the campaign:  The gubernatorial campaign was extraordinarily long and expensive, resembling a presidential election.
· Turnout:    There is typically a drop-off in turnout in off-year elections (without a presidential campaign) of between 3 and 4 percent, but in 2006, more people voted than in the prior presidential campaign.  In Michigan, the turnout can be explained in part by the existence of controversial ballot proposals, the long and well-publicized campaign, and more significantly, by national issues, including the war in Iraq.
· Democratic gains:  Democrats won big across the state and country and at all levels of government. In addition to gaining control of the Michigan House of Representatives (now 58 Democrats to 52 Republicans), Democrats made significant gains in County Commission and other local races.
 
Despite these shifts, Mr. Tennis warned that it would be wrong to oversell the impact of the 2006 election, and that human services advocates should not expect watershed change.  Among the things not changed by the election are:
· Attorney General
· Secretary of State
· Balance of the Supreme Court
· State budget deficit
 
Mr. Tennis discussed the state’s budget deficit which will “choke off progress until it is fixed.” Mr. Tennis noted that the Democratic and Republican parties are not as divided on tax policy, as both parties do not like to raise taxes.  The following challenges will face the new Michigan Legislature:
· Single Business Tax (SBT) replacement:  Finding a replacement tax for the SBT will be the focus of the first 6 months of the new Legislature. There are numerous replacement plans, and the Governor is pushing hard for a plan that is at least cost-neutral. If the replacement tax does not generate as much revenue as the SBT, human services groups will need to compete for increasingly scarce state revenues.  
· Long term tax reform:  Michigan’s tax structure is no longer generating the revenues needed to fund basic services, and it will be important to change overall tax policy in order to maintain or even grow revenues over the next 10 to 15 years. For example, revenues from the sales tax are slowing as Michigan shifts from a durable goods to a services economy.  
· Corrections policies:  Another long-term issue needing to be addressed is the growth in corrections spending resulting from Michigan’s “lock them up and throw away the key” laws and policies.  More rational parole policies will be needed to address the problem.  
 
Mr. Tennis noted that the 2006 election and the shift in control of the Michigan House of Representatives put the Governor in a stronger position, giving her more opportunities to elevate her issues by introducing bills and getting legislative hearings held on them.  However, he warned that Democrats in the House of Representatives won’t be able to move unilaterally.  There are currently 11 Democrats elected in districts that generally vote Republican, and legislators in such marginal seats are generally more moderate and need to be responsive to their more conservative districts.  Human services advocates will need to continue to seek bipartisan support for their issues and programs.  
 
Mr. Tennis recommended several actions for MCCTF members:
·             Get to know your legislators and new legislative leaders.  There is new leadership in the House of Representatives, and there will soon be new legislative committee chairs and members appointed.  It is important to strengthen relationships with these new legislative leaders.
·             Involve your grassroots members.   Grassroots actions by constituents are human services providers and nonprofits most powerful tool.  Set up a program that brings your members, staff, and parents together with legislators.  Grassroots lobbying is the answer, but it is important--and difficult--to maintain the commitment over the long period needed for significant policy change.  
·             Get involved in advocacy to ensure that there are enough state revenues to fund basic services.   
o    SBT:  Mr. Tennis stressed the importance of grassroots education about the need to fully replace revenues lost from the elimination of the SBT.  He noted that communities need to understand that Michigan businesses are not overtaxed, and in fact the portion of the total state budget that comes from businesses had declined dramatically since the 1960s, falling to only 16-17 percent today.  The message should be that businesses should pay their fair share, and that a skilled workforce, and good transportation and educational systems, are important in attracting businesses and jobs to Michigan.
o    Tabor/Save Our State (SOS):  Mr. Tennis urged MCCTF members to pay attention to the Tabor/SOS initiative that narrowly missed being on Michigan’s ballot in 2006, and whose out-of-state organizer’s are expected to promote in Michigan again.  Get involved with the coalition opposing the initiative by contacting Jane Zehnder-Merrell at the Michigan League for Human Services.
o    Increased fees: Oppose Michigan’s escalating reliance on regressive fees for services that can “exclude low income people from what we hold dear in this country.”
o    Earmarking:  Mr. Tennis noted that the earmarking of funds is increasingly attractive to lawmakers, but is in the end poor public policy because it reduces the Legislature’s ability to respond to changing public needs, and suppresses public input into the appropriations process.
·             “Tidy up your coalition”.  Mr. Tennis advised MCCTF members to focus their advocacy by not getting involved in too many coalitions and causes.  It is important to pick 2 or 3 coalitions that can help you achieve your goals, and spend the time needed to play a leadership or activist role.
 
MCCTF ACTION AGENDA:   Mark Sullivan provided an overview of the MCCTF Action Agenda for 2005-2006, as well as the process for revisions for the new legislative session.  The agenda is a tool for increasing awareness of early childhood issues, which will be especially needed given the legislative turnover related to term limits.  The agenda has been based on the “three-legged stool” of child care affordability, availability and quality.  
 
There were several successes in the past year related to the agenda, including an increase in funding for the Michigan School Readiness Program (MSRP), new child care licensing rules that require pre-service and in-service training, and a return to the “consultant-based” model for child day care licensing.  No progress was made on child care affordability, and caseloads for child care licensing consultants remain dangerously high.
 
Another positive development was the establishment of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) and its 21 local Great Start Collaboratives.  Federal funds to improve child care quality are housed at the ECIC and are available through contracts.  Further, with funding from the Joyce Foundation, Michigan was able to improve awareness of the need for high quality early childhood programs, expand local constituencies, and develop a quality rating system for child care in Michigan.
 
MCCTF members discussed the recommendations for 2007-2008, and provided comments and edits. Among the suggestions were moving revenue issues to the top of the agenda, keeping a focus on rate increases and affordability for all families, reinforcing the need for additional funding for the MSRP, focusing MSRP dollars on classroom activities, supporting services for migrants, emphasizing reductions in child care consultant ratios (from 300:1 to 75:1), supporting the quality rating system, and establishing Great Start Collaboratives in all areas of the state.
 
A second draft of the MCCTF Action Agenda will be provided to MCCTF members for comments.  The final agenda will be available for use during the March 7th Legislative Action Day.  
 
DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
 
Michigan Department of Education:  Judy Levine reported the following:
· A workshop for administrators of competitive MSRP programs was held on December 1st and will be held again on Friday January 5th.
· The MDE is now sending out materials for mid-year reports, which are due back to MDE by mid-February.  
· Grants for the Birth to Five Beginnings Library program have been read, but are not being authorized at this time because of uncertainty over funding with the current budget deficit.  
· The Michigan Collaborative Early Childhood Conference is scheduled for January 24th and 25th in Dearborn.  Register on-line at www.MiAEYC.org.
· The Michigan After-school Collaborative Conference is scheduled for April 26th in Dearborn.  For more information contact Amanda Stoel at stoela@michigan.gov.
· The Michigan School Age Care Alliance Conferences are scheduled for January 19th in Ann Arbor, and January 20th in Muskegon.  For more information contact Amanda Stoel at stoela@michigan.gov  r register on-line at www.misaca.org.
 
ECIC/Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS):  Don Vita and Kathi Pioszak reported the following:
· The child care center rules were released on December 7, 2006.  Technical assistance and policy manuals have been sent to child care licensing consultants who are responding to many questions about the rules.  Seven trainings on the rules are being offered to child care providers beginning on January 9, 2007 and ending on February 12th.  The response has been good in all areas of the state, with between 650 and 700 providers already registered.  Priority is being given to licensee designees and program directors at this time because of space limitations.  Participation in the training counts toward the new continuing education requirements.  Registration is through the web only at www.michigan.gov/dhslicensing.org.
· The Provider Handbook and Reporting Instructions for child care providers is in the final proofing stage, and is currently out-of-stock.  Back orders will be filled first, with distribution expected in February.  The entire publication is available on the web at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/FIA-PUB-0230_76612_7.pdf
· The Child and Adult Care Food Program has been expanded to relative care providers.  There are 7 sponsoring agencies that are recruiting providers, and a memorandum of understanding has been signed allowing the DHS to share the information needed to recruit.
· ECIC hosted a “Race Matters” training on December 7, 2006.  The training was provided through a partnership of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Michigan’s Children.
· ECIC provided Smart Start technical assistance to Great Start Collaboratives in Genesee and Oakland Counties.  
· Media events were held for all new Great Start Collaboratives, and technical assistance to all 21 collaboratives is ongoing.  The next quarterly technical assistance meeting is scheduled for February 21st through the 23rd, with the first day focused on parent councils and parent involvement.  
· The ECIC held a luncheon in Detroit on December 21, 2006 featuring Dr. James Heckman, Nobel Laureate in economics and a professor at the University of Chicago.  Dr. Heckman met with members of the business community in the morning and addressed the role of early childhood in economic development.  
 
Michigan Department of Community Health:  Deb Marciniak reported the following:
· Mary Mackrain, Child Care Expulsion Prevention State Consultant, is facilitating a session on “Preventing Challenging Behavior:  Promoting Social and Emotional Health, at the Michigan Early Childhood Collaborative Conference on January 24th.  Register by January 5th at https://www.miaeyc2.org/mde07/MCECC07.lasso <file://localhost/mde07/MCECC07.lasso> .
· There is a new web site for parents and professionals working with children with Sensory Processing Disorder:  http://www.kidfoundation.org/
· Training on addressing challenging behaviors in young children is scheduled for March 14-17 in Clearwater Beach, Florida.  For more go to http://www.addressingchallengingbehavior.org/index.php.
 
OTHER UPDATES:
· Jane Zehnder-Merrell reported that the Governor signed welfare reform legislation adopted by the Michigan Legislature late last year.  The legislation is effective April 1, 2007.  New provisions include a 48 month lifetime limit on public assistance for some recipients, although a one year extension is possible, and the “clock is stopped” under some circumstances.  Sanctions for failing to participate fully in work requirements are also stiffened.  For more information, contact Jane Zehnder-Merrell.
· Mark Sullivan announced that the Michigan 4C Association will be holding its Child Care Works Action Week beginning April 16th, and its Child Care at the Capitol Day on April 25th.
 

 

 

© 2002-2009 Bridges4Kids - Report a Bad Link