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 Michelle Nard, Republican candidate for Michigan Senate District 10.
What do you see as the most pressing early childhood challenge facing the district or communities you seek to represent?
The most talked about issue with parents in District 10 is Quality and Affordable childcare along with variables of open hours available. More than just 9-5 business hours for new working families.
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?
Child care is both a family affordability issue and a workforce issue and Michigan should make it easier to find, afford, and provide quality care without burying parents or small providers in bureaucracy. Make care affordable, Build more openings, Strengthen the workforce with better pay for providers overall.
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?
Michigan families face a cost problem that no one tool can solve, child care can consume a major share of a paycheck, while providers need enough revenue to hire qualified staff and keep classrooms open. My policy perspective, would be to layer state affordability programs, federal tax benefits, employer participation, then measure whether families actually gain openings to get lower bills.
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?
This is a value issue, if you value the quality of care and the importance of a quality education for your children than you would clearly see the value and importance of maintaining a good quality education system and the value of those who do the work in early learning for children and will set the pay scale accordingly.
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?
Michigan needs a protected early childhood fund, but it should be tightly designed rather than a blank check with new bureaucracy. Currently Michigan lacks a permanent, dedicated revenue stream for early childhood supports, leaving programs vulnerable to annual budget negotiations and one time appropriations, this must be monitored.
If you were setting priorities within a constrained early childhood budget, what would you prioritize first, and why?
Protecting and strengthening child care assistance for low income working families while stabilizing the providers who serve them. This comes first because a subsidy becomes ineffective if there is no licensed opening, and an available opening disappears if the provider cannot hire or retain staff.
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 would preserve Michigan’s maternal and infant health safety net by protecting Medicaid coverage, making prenatal and postpartum care easier to access, while investing in proven supports before a crisis occurs.
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 am personally familiar with these programs and know of the benefits of having them available before a crisis occurs. Yes I would support one hundred percent.
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?
While I am not familiar with the Early On Coalition or Think Babies, I do know the importance of preventative measures being in place before a crisis and I am aware of the support that’s needed in the area of working families with infants and toddlers. Adequate funding and support will prove to be beneficial in helping and improving the quality of life for these families.
If elected, how would you gather input from parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals in your district when making decisions that affect them?
Absolutely, I already have a plan that will keep me in touch with the needs of families in my district and will put it in place on day one.
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?
As a teenage mother and now Grandmother and great grandmother I know personally the importance of the issues facing working families with infants and toddlers today. And I will remain committed to making their lives easier assuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up to be healthy productive citizens of our society.
Are there early childhood issues you believe are being overlooked in the current policy conversation in Michigan?
I have seen an increase in children with ADHD and other emotional disabilities but not enough trained professionals to work with the parents to assure that those children get the care and help they need to learn and keep up with their classmates. I’d like to see more teachers and aid coming to families dealing with those issues.