Advocacy and Information

Early On Case for Funding

This document provides a quick overview of Early On, including numbers served and child outcomes, while highlighting the need for an increase in funding, including funding for a task force to examine system needs.

Crucial Support to Families

Developed by the Early On Coalition Steering Committee and supported by Think Babies, this one-pager describes Early On and the need for increased state investment, including funding for a task force to examine the system.

Early On System Costs

The Michigan Department of Education contracted with the American Institutes for Research^® (AIR^®) to study the costs of statewide provision of high quality early intervention services.  This study was funded by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five and was presented to the Early On Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council on February 22, 2024.

State Investment Making a Difference

Though funding for Early On continues to fall short of the statewide need (it is estimated that a $73 million statewide annual investment is needed to fully fund Early On), the increased investment has already positively impacted families. A voluntary survey of Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) in October 2022 found that all 40 ISDs who responded reported either increasing the frequency of Early On services and/or hiring more qualified staff to perform evaluations and provide additional services to ensure families are connected to the support they need.

History of State Funding for Early On

Following is a history of funding for Early On through the State of Michigan School Aid Act, Section 54d.

FY 25 $23.7 M

FY 24 $22.25 M

FY 23 $21.25 M

FY 22 $14.15 M

FY 21 $7.15 M

FY 20 $7.15 M

FY 19 $5 M

The first state allocation for Early On was to support the children and families of Flint during the Water Crisis.  It was FY 16 and an appropriation of $6.2 M.

2022 Michigan's Children Voter Guide

Learn more about the issues we are working for this year by reading Michigan Children's “2022 Election Year Engagement Guide for Voters.” The guide features short briefs explaining the responsibilities federal and state elected officials have in several key areas – child care, family issues, foster care, learning, and mental health – with questions you can raise with candidates.

Building Brighter Futures in Michigan (brochure)

Building Brighter Futures provides data about infants and toddlers served by Early On, information about the importance of early intervention for our youngest children, including the connection between early language skills and literacy, and a family story from Newaygo County about the benefit of Early On.

Early On Finance Overview

This presentation provides an overview of the fiscal structure of Early On, including comparison to other states and the nation.  It highlights the differences that exist among ISDs in Michigan, specifically differences in resources available to implement the program.

Early On Cost Burden by Michigan's Children

Understand the inequity of funding to support Early On throughout the state and how Michigan fares compared to the national profile of funding to support our state's early intervention system.

MICC Fiscal Ad Hoc Report & Recommendations

On February 19, 2016, the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC), established the Fiscal Ad Hoc Committee with the following purpose:  to review all available funding sources in light of Michigan's existing system(s), to determine what could or should be pursued, and to develop a fiscal plan for Early On -- a path to developing a fiscally sound early intervention system.  Read the final report and recommendations here.

MICC Fiscal Ad Hoc Commitee Summary

Review the summary of recommendations as proposed by the MICC Fiscal Ad Hoc Committee. 

Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education Early On Michigan Service Implications

Review the MAASE Early On Michigan Service Implications and Fiscal Impact of a Single Tiered Model.  

MAASE Comparing Early Childhood Systems Report

This report examines practices in "Birth Mandate" states like Michigan, who had state policy requiring special education for birth to 3, prior to the federal mandate in 1986.  The report provides recommendations for policy changes in Michigan.

Michigan's Children Early On Issue Brief

Michigan's Children discusses the needs of the Early On early intervention system, including the need for state funding.

Better Financing Early On

Michigan's Children's analysis of opportunities for and barriers to fully funding Early On Michigan.

Auditor General Performance Audit of Early On Michigan

The State Performance Audit of Early On Michigan resulted findings of two material conditions and three reportable conditions.  Lack of state funding was cited as a common concern throughout the investigation.

Making Michigan a Top 10 Education State

See Michigan's Children's Issue Brief recommendation to fund Early On in order to make Michigan a Top 10 Education State.