State Senate Cuts Would Keep Almost 300 Copper Country Kids Out of Preschool

The below article was used by permission from the Copper Country Great Start Collaborative

The state senate has eliminated funding for many early childhood programs from next year’s budget. This will affect a significant number of families in the Copper Country, including eliminating almost 300 preschool slots, the equivalent of 20 full-time jobs, and support for 102 Copper Country families with children 0-3 years old.

The cuts would: prevent 273 four-year-olds from attending preschool by eliminating the Great Start School Readiness program cut the equivalent of 20 full-time jobs associated with the school readiness program cut support for 102 Copper Country families by significantly reducing a program for home visits for families of 0-3 year-olds reduce child care support for low-income working families, costing Copper Country families $120,000. eliminate education and support for young parents through the Great Parents Great Start program eliminate major portions of the Healthy Michigan Fund (dental services, family planning, lead poisoning prevention, pregnancy prevention programs), which now support low-income families. While metropolitan areas in Michigan have other alternatives, the BHK Head Start program provides almost all of the preschool programming in the Copper Country. This budget would eliminate 286 preschool slots for 4 year-old, and eliminate a program that serves 105 families with 3 year-olds in the area. Read the full local press release about the impact of these proposed cuts. Article/News Story: Kids Budget Cuts Out of Step With Citizen Priorities You can help by calling, emailing or writing members of the state legislature and the governor. While the senate has passed this bill, the house has not yet started debate. Use these addresses and phone numbers and make your voice heard.

Representative Mike Lahti P.O. Box 30014 Lansing MI 48909-7514 Phone: (517) 373-0850 Toll-free: (888) 663-4031 Fax: (517) 373-9303 Email: mikelahti@house.mi.gov Senator Mike Prusi P.O. Box 30036 Lansing MI 48909-7536 Phone: (517) 373-7840 Toll-free: (866) 305-2038 Fax: (517) 373-3932 Email: senMPrusi@senate.mi.gov Governor Jennifer M. Granholm P.O. Box 30013 Lansing, Michigan 48909 Phone: (517) 373-3400 Fax: (517) 335-6863 Email: Fill out the form here

The state senate has eliminated funding for many early childhood programs from next year’s budget. This will affect a significant number of families in the Copper Country, including eliminating almost 300 preschool slots, the equivalent of 20 full-time jobs, and support for 102 Copper Country families with children 0-3 years old.

The cuts would: prevent 273 four-year-olds from attending preschool by eliminating the Great Start School Readiness program cut the equivalent of 20 full-time jobs associated with the school readiness program cut support for 102 Copper Country families by significantly reducing a program for home visits for families of 0-3 year-olds reduce child care support for low-income working families, costing Copper Country families $120,000. eliminate education and support for young parents through the Great Parents Great Start program eliminate major portions of the Healthy Michigan Fund (dental services, family planning, lead poisoning prevention, pregnancy prevention programs), which now support low-income families. While metropolitan areas in Michigan have other alternatives, the BHK Head Start program provides almost all of the preschool programming in the Copper Country. This budget would eliminate 286 preschool slots for 4 year-old, and eliminate a program that serves 105 families with 3 year-olds in the area. Read the full local press release about the impact of these proposed cuts. Article/News Story: Kids Budget Cuts Out of Step With Citizen Priorities You can help by calling, emailing or writing members of the state legislature and the governor. While the senate has passed this bill, the house has not yet started debate. Use these addresses and phone numbers and make your voice heard. Representative Mike Lahti P.O. Box 30014 Lansing MI 48909-7514 Phone: (517) 373-0850 Toll-free: (888) 663-4031 Fax: (517) 373-9303 Email: mikelahti@house.mi.gov Senator Mike Prusi P.O. Box 30036 Lansing MI 48909-7536 Phone: (517) 373-7840 Toll-free: (866) 305-2038 Fax: (517) 373-3932 Email: senMPrusi@senate.mi.gov Governor Jennifer M. Granholm P.O. Box 30013 Lansing, Michigan 48909 Phone: (517) 373-3400 Fax: (517) 335-6863 Email: Fill out the form here