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 Frank LaFata, Democratic candidate for Michigan House District 91.
What do you see as the most pressing early childhood challenge facing the district or communities you seek to represent?
At this moment it is the loss of 19.4 million dollars for the Great Start Collaborative.
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?
This is a very serious issue and one that I intend to address if elected. I support the Tri-Share program and hope that once the benefits of such cost sharing programs are realized more companies will voluntarily join. I would be willing to consider tax breaks for childcare costs. I would also investigate ways to encourage more childcare facilities by making it less cumbersome to get licensed while maintaining standards.
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?
Childcare is extremely costly. Currently, there does not seem to be many tools other than providing tax breaks or cost sharing programs. I would like to hear from parents, teachers, and others to see if we could come up with some innovative ways of increasing affordability without placing the burden on the taxpayer.
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?
As a retired dues paying union member, I am a strong advocate for fair wages, good benefits and safe working conditions for all workers.
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?
It is an interesting proposal, but I would need more information about how it would work and how it would be funded.
If you were setting priorities within a constrained early childhood budget, what would you prioritize first, and why?
I would reinstate the $19.4 million dollars cut from the Great Start Collaborative. The program is designed to help both parents and children succeed in school, but it could also be expanded to include childcare programs or serve as a model.
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 believe our healthcare system has been broken for decades and it must be fixed. Unfortunately, most of the power to reform this system lies with the federal government and the current administration does not see healthcare as a priority. I would support state programs or funding to make up for policy changes that threaten existing programs.
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 not very familiar with these programs but have been informed by friends in other countries where similar programs are included in their healthcare that such programs are very beneficial. I would be very interested in learning more about this and other programs.
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?
Once again, I am not familiar with that particular program, but I agree with the concept and am inclined to support such efforts.
If elected, how would you gather input from parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals in your district when making decisions that affect them?
My approach would be to send out information to interested parties, hold at least one town hall meeting regarding this matter and move on to create a task force to come up with ideas and ways to implement them.
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?
Just that I truly understand their situation. My wife and I both worked and we know how difficult it is to find reliable, affordable childcare. I was born premature and my parents had a difficult time caring for me and paying for my medical bills. My parents said they did not know how they would have survive had it not been for the help from charitable organizations. I don’t want to see other families have to struggle just to get by.
Are there early childhood issues you believe are being overlooked in the current policy conversation in Michigan?
I do not know of any specific issues at this time, but I would be very interested in hearing from people who have issues that they feel need to be addressed.