A Conversation with West Michigan Child Advocates
We’re in a time of increased political activity and advocacy, anxiously watching how billions of relief dollars will be spent and how a movement for racial justice will be sustained. It’s within this backdrop that I recently talked with a few child advocates in West Michigan on how to create a better world for our kids.
Anissa Eddie who serves in a coordinated role with KConnect and First Steps Kent, Kyle Lim with the Urban Core Collective and principal of Lim Consulting, Inc. and Tomarra Richardson of the Great Start Parent Coalition joined me for a robust afternoon discussion on June 25th.
An opportunity to realign our values
“When we talk about the impact of COVID-19, it’s not just on new things that need to be purchased or supplied,” Anissa points out. “[The pandemic] has really created a huge deficit and budget shortfall that will have a detrimental impact if funding isn’t able to be [spent] in a solution-oriented way … Our schools are a great example.”
As Congress prepares another pandemic relief package, flexible funding will help our state avoid severe cuts to public infrastructure like schools and health care.
According to the latest National Kids Count Databook, Michigan is ranked 40 out of 50 amongst states in educational outcomes based on pre-COVID-19 (2018) data. Districts face steep deficits for at least this school year and next. However, our standing now—and potential drops in attainment because of changes to learning—can’t be solely attributed to the pandemic, but as a result of decades of disinvestment in our schools and community structures in general.
“From a policy perspective, I think we’re seeing how we really devalue children over time,” reflects Kyle. “The opportunity in front of us now is to figure out ways that we realign our values to reflect a sense of care, particularly for our most vulnerable children.”
One thing I greatly appreciate about this moment in history is the increased level of thinking and engagement with policy and budgets. Anissa joins me in feeling the weight and potential of this time.
“I just hope this can be a stamp in time where we do see that from here we saw change … This is such a moment of opportunity to harness when we think about [the potential for] equitable access to education and movement of resources to fund these [and] other root causes.”
You can join us in urging Congresswoman Stabenow and Congressman Peters to continue to support Michigan families by prioritizing federal aid that can be used to address our budget shortfalls and extend services for families.
Winning Requires Persistence
As we consider harnessing opportunities, it’s important to us at Kids Count to also consider past policy wins. This group talked about a few important ones, including the Right to Literacy settlement led by Detroit parents and students, pandemic childcare relief grants and parent training programs.
“These [policies] that we celebrate as wins: there’s so much work and so much persistence required behind that [win],” said Anissa. Forward momentum can take years of education, organizing and mobilization of community and decision makers to action.
One program model, Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI), lays a foundation for community activity by making connections between and supporting parent leaders. Tomarra, a COFI facilitator, shared great examples of how it “really elevates the parent voice [and] gives them the confidence that they need to truly impact change and help impact others.”
For example, COFI parents were responsible for a successful community event that brought attention and helped parents prepare for the then-new third-grade reading law.
Anissa is also working on providing resources to parents. She’s working on an introductory curriculum on race, “Talking to Kids About Race,” that should be available in the coming months.
Families and parents are society’s backbone and key to successful advocacy efforts. Parents can learn more about COFI by emailing gsparents@successstartearly.org or sign up to receive updates on the e-book and workshops on talking to kids about race here.
Influence decision makers
As we consider how to return to learning this fall, protect public health and invest in root cause areas like education, Renell Weathers, Community Engagement Director at the League, reminds us that “we each have a role to play in advocacy, in the fight and push for change.” You can share your stories and ideas with decision makers, for example, and be clear about the need to equitably serve all children.
“Advocat[e] to make sure your school system is proceeding with real attention to [the most vulnerable] segments of their population or segment of our community,” recommends Kyle. “Ask your cities what are they doing to attend to the needs of Black children? What are they doing to attend to the needs of children with special needs?” This targeted approach is key to reversing disparate outcomes. And if you don’t like their answers, offer your own solutions. In the end, follow up to see how approved budgets and policies actually reflect these priorities and commitments.
The League’s Community Engagement team presents to folks across the state who want to learn more about how to advocate in this way. Kids Count resources allow for local, data-driven conversations in areas that impact kids most, including education, health and economic well-being.
“We have to harness this [moment], not let up and hold our decision makers accountable so that this change isn’t just a couple things right now—but that it’s written and it’s in policy so that it can be sustained over time,” says Anissa.
Policy and funding decisions that take better care of the social, emotional, physical and financial health of kids, families and all Michiganders must be a top priority for residents and electeds. It’s only then that we can ensure a better, equitable world for the next generation.
View our full conversation on our Facebook page.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
