Sharing Web Resources-Other Early Childhood Advocates

Voters line up to vote at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016.(Cory Morse | MLive.com)

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) works with all individuals that impact child development within our nation.  Additionally, they narrow their focus and support individuals at the state level with sub-committees.  In the state of Michigan, there is a sub-committee called the Michigan AEYC.  Registering with NAEYC to receive weekly e-newsletters and updates automatically enlists the individual residing in Michigan to receive notifications from the Michigan AEYC as well.  

            The Michigan AEYC brings a specific awareness to the local areas and communities about early childhood happenings in education, policy, and professional events.  Recently, in the Michigan AEYC Weekly Update: March 22, 2018, an article of interest was brought to attention: Kent County Considers Early Childhood Tax for November Ballot (2018).  In Kent County, the organization First Steps has made it their purpose to advocate for a tax millage in the county to support early childhood education.  First Steps submitted their application packet on January 31^st with a proposal of a 0.5-mill levy to be placed on the general election ballot for November 6^th of this year (Tower, 2018).

"The early childhood millage is essential to meeting our shared community goal that every young child in Kent County enters Kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed," states a letter signed by First Steps Commission Co-Chairpersons Lew Chamberlin and Kate Pew Wolters.

            First Steps based their estimates of tax payer costs off the 2017 taxable value rates, showing that a 0.5-mill levy could potentially raise about $10.9 million per year. This tax proposal would cost the owner of a $150,000 home about $37.50 a year (Tower, 2018).  The purpose of the tax proposal would be to service children under the age of five years old with an emphasis on infant and toddler care and family involvement.  

The service goals proposed are:

• Supporting families to improve their children's health and social and emotional development as well as the bonds between parents and children.

• Offering developmental screenings to all young children and help for those with delays, disabilities or emotional problems.

• Helping pregnant women and parents of young children navigate health care and other community services.

• Providing quality early learning experiences to improve children's social, emotional and intellectual skills as well as the knowledge and skills of parents and other adult caregivers.

The necessity for the 0.5-mill. levy on the November ballot for Kent County is being questioned by the other professionals and money holders of the county.  Subcommittee members and the Commissioner questioned if the requested financial amount is entirely necessary, wanting specifics on how money will be appropriated and if the cost if fixed or adjustable.  Additionally, questioning how First Steps will measure the progress of their goals in child and human development within the county (Tower, 2018).  The organization has until this summer to return with the precise answers requested and will then determine if the proposal will make the ballot this November.

Seeking information and knowledge about all areas of the early childhood field is necessary to professionally grow.  This week, I have had an eye-opening experience when considering the politics and economics involved in the education system.  Mike Towers (2018), brings this to light with showcasing Kent County’s challenge in accomplishing high-quality care for young children and the doubts that might arise.  As an early childhood professional, the benefits and services First Steps proposed seemed obvious to support in the county.  However, it is the other professional sectors responsibility to make sure it is a sound investment.  There needs to be check and balances within every system.  It would be easy to paint the county’s committees and Commissioner as the bad guy questioning the proposal.  But it is their job to make sure it is a financially sound commitment that will not disservice their community.  Hopefully with quality evidence-based research, First Steps can achieve their goals of encouraging communities to invest in themselves and their future through the proposed millage levy.

Reference

Tower, M. (2018, March 21). Kent County Considers Early Childhood Tax for November Ballot. Retrieved from http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2018/03/kent_county_considers_early_ch.html