The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) and the Think Babies Michigan coalition are gathering information from candidates seeking public office in Michigan about their perspectives on early childhood policy. Our goal is education, not endorsement. ECIC does not endorse, oppose, or rate candidates for public office.
We are collecting responses so that families, early childhood service providers, and community members across Michigan can better understand how candidates think about the needs of children from birth through age five and the families and professionals who care for them. Responses from candidates are published as received, without editing or commentary. Candidates have agreed that their responses may be reproduced and attributed to them in ECIC and Think Babies Michigan communications, including newsletters, social media, websites, and materials shared with coalition partners.
The following responses are from Jamie Sonneberger, Democratic candidate for Michigan House of Representatives District 63.
What do you see as the most pressing early childhood challenge facing the district or communities you seek to represent?
Cost and availability. Too many families are stuck choosing between child care they can’t afford and waitlists that never seem to move. We need to make it easier for parents to find good, reliable care without breaking the family budget.
Michigan families in many parts of the state live in areas with far fewer licensed child care slots than there are children who need them, and the shortage is most severe for infants and toddlers. What is your view of this issue, and what approaches would you consider if elected?
I think it’s a real problem, especially for families with babies and toddlers. We need to make it easier for good child care providers to open, stay open, and add more spots, while making sure we don’t sacrifice quality or safety.
We need to cut unnecessary red tape and make the approval process move faster. That may also mean having enough state employees to review applications, inspections, and licenses without months of delay. We should keep strong safety standards, but make the system easier to navigate.
What is your perspective on the cost of child care for Michigan families, and on the tools available to state or federal policymakers to address affordability?
Child care is eating up way too much of a family’s paycheck.
My solution would start with listening to providers and parents. They are the experts here. Some things I think we need to look at tax credits, direct help for working families, and anything else that can bring the cost down without making it harder for providers to stay in business.
Early childhood educators are among the lowest paid workers in Michigan, and turnover in the field is high. How do you think about compensation, benefits, and working conditions in this profession?
They deserve better pay, plain and simple. We can’t expect people to do such important work for wages they can barely live on. Better pay and benefits would also help keep good people in the field instead of constantly losing them.
Michigan has dedicated funding for many critical services, but nothing specifically focused on the needs of families with young children. Advocates have proposed a dedicated, sustainable state revenue stream for early childhood, separate from the annual general fund appropriations process. What is your perspective on that idea?
I’m open to it. If we believe early childhood is important, we should be willing to fund it in a way families and providers can actually count on year after year.
Again, I would really want to listen to the people and parents who go through this every day. I think most any problem can be solved through listening and communication.
If you were setting priorities within a constrained early childhood budget, what would you prioritize first, and why?
I’d start with access and safely building more child care spots. If more parents can get back to work, that helps families and the economy, and a stronger economy gives us more resources to keep improving the system.
Michigan has made significant strides to promote maternal and infant health, though federal policy changes put many of these programs at risk. How would you work to preserve and expand access to important programs that promote maternal and infant health including Medicaid?
I’d work with my federal counterparts to protect Medicaid and make sure moms and babies get the care they need. I also think we need to do a better job reminding people that programs like Medicaid are there to help our neighbors when they need a hand.
Think Babies supports more funding for programs that support nurturing relationships and well-being for babies and caregivers — like home visiting, consultation, and intervention services —to help address and prevent stress and trauma before they become a crisis. How familiar are you with these kinds of programs, and would you support increased funding for them if elected?
I’m not a politician, so I can answer honestly. 🙂
I’m not too familiar with these specific programs, but I am familiar with the importance of family. Babies and the people who care for them need our support. Strong, healthy relationships between babies and caregivers strengthen our communities and help set both up for success. I would absolutely look at supporting programs that accomplish those goals.
The Early On Coalition — which is part of Think Babies — has advocated for increased funding to support families with infants and toddlers who have disabilities and developmental delays to make sure they get the individualized early intervention services they are entitled to. What is your perspective on increasing funding for Early On?
I worked as a para-educator in a high school special education classroom, and I know how important support can be for kids with special needs and their families. I support making sure children with disabilities and developmental delays get the help they’re entitled to. If Early On needs more funding to do that well, I’d be open to it, while also making sure the money is reaching families and getting results.
If elected, how would you gather input from parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals in your district when making decisions that affect them?
I’d use town halls, social media, visits, and conversations with parents, caregivers, teachers, and kids. I’ve also built a lot of relationships in public education, and I’d lean on those people for their experience and advice. Good decisions start with listening to the people closest to the issue.
Is there anything else you would like Michigan families, early childhood professionals, and advocates to know about your approach to young children and their families?
I think families do best when they have strong communities behind them. I’m not going to pretend I know every early childhood program inside and out, but I will listen, learn, and support practical ideas that help kids, parents, and caregivers succeed.
Are there early childhood issues you believe are being overlooked in the current policy conversation in Michigan?
I think we sometimes overlook families who don’t work a regular 9-to-5. A lot of parents work nights, weekends, or changing shifts, and finding child care that actually fits those hours can be almost impossible. Availability isn’t just about having enough spots. It’s about having care when families actually need it.