Did You Know?

Even young children are affected by trauma and toxic stress.

Trauma is any intense event that threatens our safety or security. Toxic stress results from repeated or prolonged negative experiences. These elements may have lifelong effects on health and development, especially for young children.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' Trauma and Toxic Stress Website provides resources and information for early childhood providers, parents, and caregivers about the effects of trauma and toxic stress, along with strategies to reduce negative influences on early development. The website includes online self-learning units and PowerPoint presentations for use with groups. Visit the Trauma and Toxic Stress Website for more information.
 

Public Comment Opportunity

Michigan Now Accepting Comments on the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan Draft

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) "...assists low-income families in obtaining child care so they can work or attend training/education. The program also improves the quality of child care, and promotes coordination among early childhood development and afterschool programs (Office of Child Care, 2012)."

Beginning FY2016, every three years states are required to complete a State Plan for CCDF dollars received.

You have the opportunity to comment on the draft of the CCDF State Plan from now until February 15, 2016. The draft of the CCDF State Plan can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/CCDFStatePlanDraft

A detailed summary of the proposed changes, which includes what the changes are and where to find them in the CCDF State Plan, is also available at:
http://tinyurl.com/MiCCDFPlanSummaryofchanges

Public Hearing and Comment Information

• Participate in one of three webinars that will be held to provide an overview of the CCDF State Plan and solicit comments:
  • On January 19, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1823036829456115970
  • On January 20, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7991248682767906562
  • On January 21, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6236061987465369858
• Join us at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, first floor Forum room, 702 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48915 for a public hearing from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on January 19, 2016. This hearing will also be broadcast through the webinar link above for the same day.
• Submit written comments to the MDE Office of Great Start-Child Development and Care. Comments must be submitted prior to close of business on Monday, February 15, 2016 and can be submitted in any of the following manners:
  • By mail to: Office of Great Start-Child Development and Care, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909
  • By fax to: 517-241-8679
  • By email to: MDE-CDC-ADMIN@michigan.gov

If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Lisa Brewer-Walraven at (517) 373-4116 or by e-mail at brewer-walravenl@michigan.gov. The department appreciates your support and comments.

Mark Your Calendars

Additional Public Comment Opportunity Coming Soon

The Part C, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) helps makes it possible for Early On® to provide early intervention services to Michigan's youngest learners. Interested parties will have the opportunity to make public comment on the Michigan Part C, IDEA FFY2016 application draft. The draft will be posted on the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) web site from February 9, 2016 to April 10, 2016. The final application is due to the office of Special Education by April 21, 2016. More details will be available in the MDE news release.