I am writing … to express deep disappointment over the decision in the FY 2025-26 School Aid budget to eliminate all $19.4 million in funding for the Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition programs.

This funding, part of the Great Start Early Childhood Block Grant, supported families with children from birth to age five across every Michigan county. Great Start helped parents find child care, early learning, developmental screenings, literacy programs, and home visits. It wasn’t a luxury–it was the backbone of early childhood coordination statewide.

Because of this cut, my wife, along with hundreds of dedicated early childhood professionals, lost her job. For years, she worked tirelessly to connect families to resources that shaped children’s lives. I often helped her at community events, serving food, setting up bounce houses, and caring for children while parents met with local experts. Kids left with free books, toys, and meals. Parents left with confidence, direction, and support.

When we moved to the Upper Peninsula 15 years ago, we saw firsthand how few early childhood services existed. My wife worked hard to fill those gaps and build partnerships that truly made a difference. She wasn’t alone, many volunteers and parents joined her to make sure children had the best start possible. Now, those connections are gone. Families are asking, “Where do we turn?”

According to the Detroit Free Press, Great Start served over 280,000 children statewide last year. In the U.P., the loss is especially devastating. Our region faces one of the highest child care shortages in Michigan. Nearly all licensed providers are at capacity, with long waitlists for infants and toddlers. Many counties here are classified as child care deserts, with three or more children for every available child care slot–or none at all. Families here can’t just drive to another town for help.

Great Start was often the only organized system connecting families to these limited resources. It linked them to programs like Early On and Help Me Grow Michigan, provided literacy and parenting events, and gave rural families a trusted guide through a complicated system.

While lawmakers increased funding for GSRP (Great Start Readiness Program) by $25 million to expand preschool access, cutting the foundation that connects families to that very program is shortsighted. Great Start was the bridge to GSRP–it found the families, prepared the children, and strengthened communities.

Superintendents and parent leaders are warning of the consequences:

• More children will begin preschool unprepared.


• Families will go without developmental screenings and early intervention.


• Rural communities will fall further behind because there’s no local funding to replace what was lost.


This decision has left the U.P. stranded. My wife’s work wasn’t just a job, it was a service that held our community together. No one is left to do what she did.

Still, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about being a Yooper, it’s SISU; grit, courage, and perseverance. We will “Yooper on” and find ways to help our families, even though the state has given up on us. But we shouldn’t have to do it alone.

I urge you to:

1. Restore the $19.4 million Great Start Early Childhood Block Grant.


2. Protect and prioritize birth-to-three coordination and family engagement.


3. Listen to the families, educators, and community leaders seeing this harm firsthand.


Michigan’s youngest children deserve better. Their futures–and ours–depend on it.