reACT: State of the State
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State of the State Address
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reACT
"I am so pleased that Governor Snyder is making autism a priority for Michigan this year. To date, 28 other states across the country have passed autism insurance reform, which would mandate insurers to cover medically based treatments for children with autism. We know that a large percentage of children with autism can make significant developmental and academic strides with early, intensive interventions. The Governor has recognized that the dollars we spend now, to provide those early therapies, will come back ten-fold to our state as these children enter mainstreamed classrooms without the need for extensive special education services. Additionally, in the long run, our state will see individuals with autism holding more jobs, contributing to our tax base, and improving their quality of life overall. Now, we need our legislature to follow suit."
"I was interested in the childhood obesity program and wonder how Gerber will be involved in giving parents nutrition advice. Overall, I had hoped for more comments on how the new office of Great Start will work and how we are going to help families in poverty."
"The MIAAP applauds Governor Snyder's commitment to addressing obesity in Michigan, and in particular childhood obesity. We are very pleased that he singled out the need to continue to address this epidemic in his State of the State message. We will continue to partner with the Governor and the Michigan Department of Community Health in tackling childhood obesity in Michigan."
"The Governor shared with us the “Need to be positive, inclusive and confident that Michigan holds a bright future for our children …” and “Together we will move Michigan forward.” I am looking forward to communication from the Office of Great Start about their strategies to move early childhood education forward and to continue the work already started to improve quality and impact the lives of young children in our state."
"I heard the Governor mention "early childhood" twice. Once when he made general reference to starting early and second, in reference to the Office of Great Start. I felt the address was all headlines and very short on detail. I did appreciate the upbeat tone of his address, even though his figures on unemployment are suspect. I would have liked the Governor to have said something about the tremendous significance of the first five years of life in reference to brain development, parental influence, subsequent learning and school success. I also think he could have linked future economic development and the new world of jobs and employment to current investments in parent support and early childhood development."
"Although there were not many specifics in the Governor’s state of the state, I am hopeful. The fact that there was a mention of early childhood is fantastic! His acknowledgement of the Office of Great Start is a step in the right direction. I think that when his proposed budget is introduced, it will confirm his commitment to early education as a key factor in improving Michigan’s economy."
"I heard a concern in the Governor's speech about the quality and readiness of Michigan's workforce, and that 70,000 jobs are going unfilled as we don't have workers with the right skills. I would just remind the governor and all policymakers that a ready workforce begins with ready children. If we invest in Michigan's youngest citizens now, so that they are all safe, healthy, and ready to learn when they start kindergarten, we can help them grow up to become a workforce ready for 21st century jobs and beyond." |
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Be A Part of the Conversation |
On Wednesday, January 18th Governor Snyder delivered his 2nd State of the State address to the Lt. Governor, the Legislature, members of his cabinet, his family, and the people of the State of Michigan.
Dr. Colleen M. Allen, Director 
Pam Smith, Program Manager
Marvin H. McKinney, Ph.D., Former Board Member 
Tara S. Weaver, Director 
Jamina Tepley, Advocacy Specialist
Comments
Speech
I am surprized there is a surplus. A nice surprize though. Subsidized preschool for all children would be wonderful. Irregardless of income level. And if we could reduce class size in the upper grades, that would give children a better chance and less stress on teachers.
ReACT
I am personally pleased that the Autism legislation and mention of the Office of Great Start made it into his speech, even though he only touched them. I am however concerned that no-one seems to be talking about the Middle-Class hole. As someone said to me the other day "if we are saying that we are advocating for a better investment in the future of our children, why do we only mean for services to the disabled, special needs, or families in poverty?" I can see where they are coming from when hard working families make themselves accountable for their own bills and school loans but can not afford the high preschool costs for their children, when they see it being handed out to some low-income families.
When I heard the Governor say that he would continue to move MI along, I hope that means the Office of Great Start will be a Strong focus for the future, so that they can concentrate on a solution for ALL families with young children. I am eager to hear the beginning of talks on Universal Preschool for our forward thinking state.
So Here's to a Bright future Michigan!
State of the State
Nice shout-out by the governor to Great Start and early childhood education.