The Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) has released its 2023 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book: Evidence into Action, which analyzes the most recently available and trend data to evaluate the well-being of children while identifying policies that could improve life and outcomes for families and evaluate ongoing areas of need.

The report, supported by several CMF members, includes statewide and county data and trends in four categories: economic security, education, health and safety, and family and community. Additionally, data is compiled for three cities with some of the highest child populations in the state: Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids. Gov

For the first time, this year’s report also includes a young adult feature section, recognizing Kids Count’s expanded focus on young people making the transition to adulthood and the unique challenges they face.

The Data Book is supported by CMF members Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, The Children’s Foundation, The Frey Foundation, Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Ruth Mott Foundation and The Skillman Foundation.

According to an MLPP press release, the positive data and trends in this year’s Data Book point to the importance of one-time investments made at the federal and state levels to help Michigan families and children through the health and economic crises during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The data reveals that declines in child and young adult poverty and teen birth rates counted among positive statewide trends, and worsening trends include a decline in third grade reading proficiency and an increase in low birthweight babies.  

We’re sharing key data points from the report and policy recommendations for state policymakers to consider implementing.

Key takeaways include:

• Michigan’s child poverty rate declined by 15% with decreases in 76 out of 83 counties from 2016 to 2021. 
• Michigan’s young adult poverty rate declined by almost 25% with decreases in 75 out of 83 counties from 2016 to 2021.
• In 2021, roughly 1.8 million Michigan children benefited from the temporary advance Child Tax Credit as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
• Students reading proficiently in third grade declined by 8.5% statewide from 2016 to 2022, with declines in 70 out of 83 counties. Fewer than half of all third-grade students were reading proficiently before the pandemic, but school disruptions contributed to even worse outcomes.
• 19% of students didn’t graduate on time in 2022, and 59% percent of children in foster care didn’t graduate on time in 2022.
• The statewide teen birth rate fell by 33% from 2016 to 2021. However, the share of low-birth-weight babies increased by about 6% in that same time period.
• Continuous enrollment contributed to a 19% increase in Michigan children insured by Medicaid or MiChild in the state from November 2019 to November 2022.

The MLPP highlights that one-time federal and state-level investments contributed to positive data trends, including the Child Tax Credit. In 2021, roughly 1.8 million Michigan children benefited from the temporary advance Child Tax Credit as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.

“The temporary expansion of safety net programs and direct cash assistance provided to kids and their families in 2020 and 2021 certainly played a part in these declines. In what was an extremely tumultuous time, we know that outcomes would have been much worse without the unprecedented levels of investment that we saw,” Anne Kuhnen, Kids Count in Michigan Director, MLPP, said. “Now, our state leaders need to look at the evidence and take action to make the pandemic-era programs that were successful permanent. We don’t need to wait for another crisis to expand the Child Tax Credit; increase food and rental assistance, or invest in education, child care and healthcare.”

The MLPP shares that it continues to advocate for the preservation of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) dollars for direct cash assistance to families with the lowest incomes and expansion of the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to workers who are currently excluded, including workers under 25 without children.

“While our state leaders have made some bold strides in making Michigan a better place for all Michiganders–including the historic increase of the EITC to 30% of the federal credit earlier this year–improving the well-being of our youngest residents must continue to be a top priority. Much of the support provided to families during the pandemic should be made permanent and new policy solutions should be explored to help all Michigan families meet their basic needs,” Monique Stanton, president and CEO of the MLPP, said. “This year’s Kids Count policy recommendations provide a clear path to strengthening families and building healthier, brighter futures for the kids growing up in our state today.” 

Other key 2023 policy recommendations include:

• Close the gender pay gap to reduce poverty for families in Michigan. According to the report, full-time working mothers lose an estimated $17,000 annually due to the pay gap.
• Invest in robust, equitable data systems that have data disaggregated by age, race, ethnicity, gender and geography so that data-driven policies do not come up short. 
• Make sure all 4-year-olds have access to high-quality pre-K education.
• Preserve School Aid Fund dollars for K-12 schools by putting a stop to the diversion of funds to postsecondary education.
• Strengthen Michigan’s weighted school funding formula based on community and student needs to better support students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities and English-language learners. 
• Provide a full year of Medicaid postpartum coverage, regardless of immigration status.
• End punitive fines and fees for justice-involved youth.
• Ensure all young adults can access higher education and workforce training.

Want more?

Download the full report.

Learn more about how children are faring in your county with the local and regional data profiles.

Read the full statewide data profile.  

This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer will outline key policy priorities for this fall. On August 30, the Governor's Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL) will host a virtual watch party for a live viewing of Whitmer’s “What’s Next Address." OFL will host a debrief conversation for you and your fellow CMF members to discuss philanthropic interests and opportunities emerging from the governor's policy priorities. Register here.