Governor Snyder establishes and sets an ambitious new goal for early childhood in special message on education reform in Michigan

Of special interest to professionals working with families during pregnancy, infancy and through 8 years of age, Governor Snyder addresses the intent to establish a coherent system of health and early learning that is inclusive of attention to cognitive skills, emotional well-being, social competence, physical and mental health to success in school. Furthermore, the governor proposes consolidating early childhood programs and resources into a single office of early childhood focused on maximizing child outcomes, reducing duplication and administrative overhead and reinvesting resources from efficiencies into quality improvement and service delivery. His strategy starts with an Executive Order that combines the Office of Child Development and Care currently at the Department of Human Services with the Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services at the Michigan Department of Education.