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Chronic absenteeism often signals a student may be experiencing untreated health needs, transportation problems, mental-health issues or other significant challenges. (Anastasiia/Adobe Stock)

Extreme weather equals 'extreme absence' from MI schools

Chronic absenteeism rates in Michigan schools have significantly declined, yet researchers warn the state's rate overall remains alarmingly high…

Para calificar para la Michigan Achievement Scholarship, debe ser residente de Michigan desde el 1 de julio del a�o calendario anterior. Si es un estudiante dependiente, sus padres tambi�n deben ser residentes de Michigan desde el 1 de julio del a�o calendario anterior (J Maas/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Programa de MI desbloquea la educación universitaria gratuita

Un nuevo plan presupuestario para educación de $ 23 mil millones en Michigan está abriendo la puerta para que los recién graduados de l…

A $1.25 million Department of Education grant will allow Wayne State University to provide 37 scholarships to train adaptive physical educators over the next five years. (Adobe Stock)

Wayne State adapts physical education program for students with disabilities

Wayne State University has received a $1.25 million grant to prepare adapted physical education specialists to serve students with disabilities…

Students with strong math and science skills are more likely to graduate from high school, attend and complete college, earn higher incomes and take advantage of the future opportunities available to them, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Mixed reviews of Michigan kids' well-being in new report

Michigan ranks 34th in the nation for overall child well-being, in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. A closer look at …

Through the SMART apprenticeship program in Michigan, a school psychology graduate student earns $25 per hour for 20 hours a week, for 30 weeks. (Monkey Business)

MI schools seek solutions as pandemic mental health funding ends

Special state funding for mental health staff at Michigan public schools during the pandemic is ending this year, leaving schools scrambling to find …

The Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform, formed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and led by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, took a comprehensive look at the state's system and released its report in July 2022 with 32 recommendations for improving Michigan's juvenile justice system. (Oleg Kozlovskiy/Adobe Stock)

Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Although food insecurity can be faced by anyone, Black and Latino children are twice as likely to face hunger because of discrimination based on race. And in 2022, 33% of single-parent families experienced food insecurity. (Piman Khrutmuang/Adobe Stock)

Michigan students get a boost to summer food access

Michigan is planning ahead to make sure kids from lower-income families have enough to eat this summer. The state has opted into a federal food …

States including California and Illinois have passed mental health legislation similar to what Michigan is now considering, without seeing increases to insurance premiums. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

MI legislators push for mental-health care access

A House bill aimed at increasing access to mental health care in Michigan could go to a vote on the House floor at any time. Rep. Felicia Brabec…

This third edition of AECF's Race for Results report has post-COVID data and contends that young people are missing critical developmental milestones as a direct result of choices to not invest in policies, programs and services that support children, especially in under-resourced communities and communities of color. (Brocreative/Adobe Stock)

Many Michigan kids of color face significant barriers to reaching potential

Black children in Michigan are performing worse than their peers nationally in every metric measured, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's …

Achievement data for fourth grade and eighth grade rural Michigan students experiencing poverty and all rural students ranks in the middle compared to other U.S. states. (ruslanita/Adobe Stock)

Report: Rural Michigan students need school counselors

A new report said Michigan has the lowest professional-to-student ratio of all states and pointed to the particular staffing needs of rural schools…

The 17th annual 100 Best Adoption Friendly Workplaces list includes a diverse group of organizations, representing 22 industries. The companies offer an average of $14,831 in financial reimbursement for adoption costs and an average of nine weeks paid leave. (deagreez/Adobe Stock)

MI families begin new futures as National Adoption Month ends

Many parents complete their families through adoption, and November has been the month to encourage awareness, recognize those still waiting to be …

More than 30,000 labor activists have signed a letter calling on top U.S. union leaders to

Postal Workers become largest union to demand ceasefire in Gaza

One of the nation's largest labor unions has become the latest organization to demand a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel's war with Hamas plays out…

In the America's Health Rankings report, Michigan ranks 18th among states for childhood immunizations, and 27th for kids getting preventive dental care. (tigercat_lpg/Adobe Stock)

Report shows uptick in mental health concerns for MI women

Michigan women have mental-health concerns at rates higher than the national average, according to a new report. The United Health Foundation …

People with additional years of education beyond high school tend to be more civic-minded and interact more with neighbors and family members, according to a recent Gallup poll. (Tyler Olson/Adobe Stock)

Increasingly, politics make their way into students' college choices

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Michigan News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News …

Michigan obesity rates have more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the last 30 years. (Adobe Stock)

MI adults learn to 'lead by example' for kids' heart health

Heart disease is Michigan's number one cause of death. This is the time of year that parents can step up their efforts to prevent it - in the next …

Climate change board games emphasize teamwork and group success. Either all players win together, or no one survives. (pathdoc/Adobe Stock)

Climate change: Better understood through board games?

By Debra J. Rosenthal for The Conversation.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Michigan News Connection for the Public News Service-Conversation …

House Bill 4945 and House Bill 4946, sponsored by state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, were voted out of the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee last week. (Adobe Stock)

MI lawmakers debate tougher gun laws for domestic violence convictions

Michigan state lawmakers are moving closer to restricting gun ownership for more people who have been convicted of domestic violence. The House …

Michigan is among 20 states to receive a multiyear grant from the Pritzker Children's Initiative. (SneakyPeakPoints/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

MI coalition helps get cash influx to improve childcare

The coalition known as "Think Babies Michigan" has advocated for more than $36 million in funding to offer grants to child-care providers for infants …

According to the American Heart Association, people feel more confident performing Hands-Only CPR and are more likely to remember the correct chest-compression rate when trained to the beat of a familiar song. (9dreamstudio/Adobe Stock)

From Beyoncé to 'Baby Shark,' the Right Tune Can Save a Life

With popular artists like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift touring Michigan this summer, the American Heart Association is reminding people that some of …

Detroit Action hosts a Black August event where it strives to reimagine a world through an abolitionist point of view and healing-justice policies. (SmartArt/Adobe Stock)

Art Collaboration This Weekend for Black August in Detroit

Communities around the country and in Michigan are celebrating Black August and promoting liberation of all diversities. Anthony Baber, director of …

Michigan asign� 70 millones de d�lares y redujo la restricci�n de edad para ampliar Michigan Reconnect. Mott Community College, con sede en Flint, es uno de los 31 colegios comunitarios y tribales del estado. (Cortes�a de Mott Community College)

Michigan apuesta por la universidad comunitaria gratuita

Aprovechando el éxito de una inversión de $140 millones de dólares, Michigan está haciendo que la universidad comunitaria sea …

Michigan allocated $70 million and lowered the age restriction to expand Michigan Reconnect. Flint-based Mott Community College is among the state's 31 community and tribal colleges. (Courtesy of Mott Community College)

Michigan Doubles Down on Free Community College

Building on the success of a $140 million investment, Michigan is making community college free to hundreds of thousands more students by expanding …

Some 710,500 households currently receive SNAP benefits in Michigan, including more than 531,000 Michigan children (Maksim Kostenko/ Adobe Stock)

Major Win for Michigan with SNAP Asset Test Gone

Michigan families no longer need to spend down their savings and be restricted to having only $15,000 in assets to receive SNAP benefits. Gov…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Adverse Childhood Experiences can have lasting effects on a person's health, behaviors and life. (TSViPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Hope for Michigan's Victims of Toxic Childhood Stress

Caregivers should be on alert for stressors among youth during the summer when children are spending more time at home. Adverse Childhood …

A Nov. 2022 report suggested Michigan fund school transportation needs separately from other education costs, because those needs vary so widely. (oneinchpunch/Adobe Stock)

MI Schools Explore Ways to Battle Chronic Absenteeism

It's hard for kids to think about going back to school quite yet but districts in Michigan are already thinking about how to keep them coming to schoo…

American families say the lack of cost-effective and available child care is a major problem in their lives, according to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

MI Finishes in Bottom Half of Child Well-Being Rankings

Michigan continues to be ranked in the bottom half of U.S. states for child well-being, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book. This year's …

Michigan reached a historic low in teen pregnancies in 2020, at just over 12 births per 1,000 females ages 15-19. (Nicholas Felix/peopleimages.com)

MI Women's Health Needs Begin in Adolescence

The need for Michigan women to prioritize their health doesn't stop when National Women's Health Month ends this week. One expert said it is time to …

Currently, Michigan has no statewide law protecting families from discrimination based on their use of Housing Choice Vouchers or other non-wage sources of income. (Adobe Stock)

Bill Aims to Curb Discrimination for MI Families with Housing Vouchers

A new report found thousands of Michigan families using Housing Choice Vouchers are often left out in the cold by landlords who refuse to rent to them…

Roughly 16% of Michigan's 2.1 million children live in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Reports Offer Holistic View of Child Well-Being in Michigan

A pair of research reports are providing a holistic perspective on how Michigan children are faring in the key measures of well-being. The 50-state 2…

More than 80 business, religious and social services groups are calling for an increase to Michigan's state Earned Income Tax Credit. (JJ Gouin/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups: New Census Data Underscores Need for Higher EITC

The latest county census data found Michigan's child poverty rate remains at 19%, and groups advocating for children and families say it is time to …

About 45% of Wayne State University recent graduates started their education at other institutions. (llhedgehodll/Adobe Stock)

Wayne State Changes Transfer Credit Policy to Increase Access

A university in Michigan is seeking to make it easier for folks to obtain a bachelor's degree after attending community college, by removing barriers …

Keeping siblings together in foster care is a national best practice. (mytrykau/Adobe Stock)

MI Foster Care Agency: Youths, Families Need Wraparound Services

Michigan is taking steps to improve the child welfare system for National Foster Care Month. In Michigan, nearly a quarter of young people who are …

Seven in 10 parents say their kids have interacted with a smartphone before age 11. (dubova/Adobe Stock)

MI Educator: Engage With Your Kids' Social Media Use

During Mental Health Awareness Month, experts, parents and health professionals are spotlighting the effects of screens and social media on young …

Forty percent of first-generation students in a survey said they filled out the FAFSA forms themselves, compared with 11% of higher-income students. (photo_gonzo/Adobe Stock)

Simplifying the FAFSA: MI Groups Have Some Tips

As the U.S. Department of Education works to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, groups in Michigan have some …

Young women who give birth while attending community college are 65% less likely to complete their degree, prompting groups to help more young parents achieve their personal goals. (Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health)

MI Groups Seek to Break Stigma Around Young Parenting

It is Michigan Young Parent Awareness Day, and groups are spotlighting efforts to support expectant and parenting young people, both in taking care …

A new Consent Toolkit has tips for educators, caregivers and parents, for instance, how to respond if a student discloses that they've experienced sexual violence. (Bailey Krestakos/Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health)

Toolkit Provides Resources for Teaching Consent in Grades K-5

A new toolkit for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade provides resources for teaching about issues of consent and healthy relationships…

44% of Michiganders live in child-care deserts. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Report: MI Kids Eligible but Not Receiving Child-Care Subsides

New state and county data show among Michigan's youngest children, there are gaps and disparities in access to crucial health, nutritional and …

More than 60% of LGBTQ homeless youths report being

MI Groups Raise Awareness of Dangers for LGBTQ Homeless Youth

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The holidays can be a tough time for young people experiencing homelessness, and Michigan organizations are working to provide …

Only 20% of kids nationwide are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, according to a new United Health Foundation report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Mental-Health Needs Climb Among Women, Young Michiganders

LANSING, Mich. -- Women and young people have faced increased behavioral health challenges since before the pandemic, according to a new report…

More than 4,500 Michiganders take PrEP, a HIV-prevention medication. (Adobe Stock)

Summit to Debunk Myths, Stigma Around HIV for Michigan Youth

LANSING, Mich. - Organizers of a summit about sexual health will provide a safe space on Friday for young Michiganders to have open, honest and …

Less than 15% of Michigan students had been tested for a sexually transmitted infection other than HIV in the last year, according to CDC surveys. (Adobe Stock)

MI Youth Groups Urge Inclusive Sex-Ed Curricula

LANSING, Mich. - Youth advocates for comprehensive sexual education are urging school districts to adopt curricula that use inclusive and …

More than 70% of parents say they've seen a decline in their child's emotional well-being since the start of the pandemic, according to a report from Child Mind Institute. (Adobe stock)

Michigan Child Trauma Soared During Pandemic

LANSING, Mich. - As more folks are vaccinated and reopening continues, mental-health experts say it's important to acknowledge and treat the trauma …

More than 20 state legislatures, including Michigan's, are considering trans sports bans. (Adobe Stock)

It's a Full-Court Press for Opponents of MI Trans Sports Ban

LANSING, Mich. - Opponents of Michigan's proposed trans sports ban are working to educate people about what they see as its dangers. Senate Bill 218…

Child care for one infant accounts for more than half the salary of a Michigander earning minimum wage. (AdobeStock)

Child Care Costs as Much as College for Some Michigan Families

LANSING, Mich. -- Affordable child care is a crucial support for working parents, rivaling the cost of college or housing for some Michiganders…

Abuse can occur in all types of relationships, regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression or gender. (Adobe Stock)

Dating Violence: Young Love Shouldn't be Dangerous

LANSING, Mich. - Romance is top of mind for many young people in Michigan planning to celebrate Valentine's Day this weekend. And while teen romance …

Just about half of teenage mothers earn their high school degree before age 22. (AdobeStock)

New Council Gives Michigan Young Parents a Voice

LANSING, Mich. -- The voices of expectant and parenting youths are being amplified by the first-ever Michigan Young Parent Advisory Council. Diamond …

Advocates for teens worry about an increase in online bullying during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Preventing Bullying in Michigan: "Adults Have to do More"

LANSING, Mich. - Bullying continues to be a pervasive problem among Michigan youth, and it's more common among high school students who identify as …

Millennial and Generation Z voters are expected to make up 59% of Michigan's electorate by 2036. (Adobe Stock)

Generational Shifts Could Turn MI Blue for Years to Come

LANSING, Mich. - Michigan's shift from blue to red in the 2016 presidential election could be an outlier, according to new research. The 'States of …

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MI: Youth