How we treat and care for mothers and babies is a good measure of our priorities. Thinking about my own experience as a mother, the amount of support that I received from family and friends, especially when my daughter was little, is amazing. Every mother deserves to be supported and have access to the things that she needs to ensure her good health and the health of her baby: having someone to ask questions during pregnancy, connecting with caring healthcare providers, having access to affordable, quality child care when returning to work—and paid maternity leave. These are some of the ways we know help ensure that all babies thrive and do well.
Unfortunately, not all moms and babies in Michigan receive the support and care that they need. The most recent Kids Count in Michigan Right Start maternal and infant health report, Infant death rates decline in Michigan, other trends raise concerns, shows us that while some overall trends are improving, there are still disparities by race, place and income. This year’s report focuses on the infant mortality rate, which is improving in our state. However, the rates of babies who die before their first birthdays are particularly disturbing among African-Americans and Latinos. Comparing 2010 to 2015, infant death rates are rising in smaller, rural counties and income level continues to be highly related to the risk of infant deaths.
All of us can probably remember a time that we cared for or held an infant—or even helped a loved one welcome a new baby to their family. We can all also recall how delicate and fragile newborn babies are! As a new parent, I did not feel as prepared as I thought I would even after reading all of the books and reports that I could get my hands on. I could hardly figure out the car seat to get my baby home from the hospital—a first of many challenges!
But, thankfully I had access to support and care. All families with little ones should too. This is why home visitation programs are extremely important in our strategy to reduce disparities in infant mortality and improve overall maternal and child health outcomes for everyone. Not only have home visiting programs demonstrated remarkable results, but they are geared toward helping those who need the most support.
Home visiting programs equip families with the tools they need to overcome any barriers or challenges they are facing during pregnancy or the first years of their child’s life. Trained professionals, sometimes nurses or social workers, make home visits with families who have voluntarily enrolled to have one-on-one conversations about any concerns that expectant or new parents might have. For example, if an expectant mom is having difficulty getting to her doctor for prenatal care, the home visitor will work with community partners to help her get to the appointments. Participants in these evidence-based programs experience improved access to prenatal care, reduced preterm births and more, which are critical to reducing infant mortality rates. Just listen to some of the experiences Michigan families have had.
While over 35,000 families are served in state-funded programs, there are many more families in need of services than are currently served. Home visiting programs have been rigorously evaluated and do improve health, increase financial security and reduce child maltreatment. State policymakers should consider expanding the reach of these programs with additional funding. Plus, the federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program will expire at the end of September. Congress must reauthorize the program, but also increase its funding to reach more families.
If we are to ensure that all babies thrive well beyond their first birthdays, policies should be targeted to serve those most in need. With rising rates of infant deaths for Latinos and African-American babies being more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday as White babies, reducing racial disparities is a critical component in reducing infant mortalities. Home visiting is a part of this solution.
When I look at my daughter today as she darts all over the soccer field, I think about all the support I had and how she’s the strong kid she is today because of it. All Michigan kids deserve to have a foundation like hers.
— Alicia Guevara Warren
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.
Jacob Kaplan 
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. 
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.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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.
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.
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.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
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.
