A new report on child wellbeing in Michigan reveals both progress and setbacks in key areas.
On the positive side, the percentage of students experiencing homelessness in Michigan decreased in 2022 compared to five years earlier. Early childhood poverty also fell from 25% in 2017 to just under 20% in 2022. Additionally, infant mortality dropped by nearly 12% over the same period.
These findings come from the Michigan League for Public Policy’s Kids Count in Michigan Data Profiles, part of a national report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The report primarily compares data from 2021 to 2023 with figures from 2017.
Anne Kuhnen, Kids Count Director at the Michigan League for Public Policy, highlighted that government programs addressing poverty expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that examining this data can offer valuable insights. “The pandemic served as an experiment, showing us the effects of increasing benefits on children and families,” Kuhnen said during a Wednesday luncheon.
Despite these improvements, there are concerns. Third-grade reading proficiency suffered a decline related to the pandemic, and fewer young children were tested for lead or enrolled in preschool.
Kuhnen pointed out that the pandemic has complicated the evaluation of educational initiatives like the state’s Read by Grade 3 law. “We need to assess the effectiveness of these programs now that students are back in school,” Kuhnen explained. She also emphasized the need for funding to support these efforts.
The luncheon included a roundtable discussion with stakeholders, including Beverly Walker-Griffea, Director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. This new state agency aims to support education outside the classroom. Walker-Griffea expressed concern about the slow progress in childcare and early childhood education. “We are not advancing as needed in these critical areas,” she said.
Walker-Griffea and other speakers called for increased government investment in accessible childcare, improved mental health resources in schools, paid family and medical leave, and universal free community college. They believe these measures are crucial for enhancing communities and the economy.