FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2022
Contact:
Laura Millard Ross
lauramr@mlpp.org
517-281-1084
Michigan missing opportunities to boost outcomes for young adults
New report shows Michigan’s young adults more likely than peers nationwide to live in poverty
Lansing, Mich.— A new brief from the Kids Count in Michigan project at the Michigan League for Public Policy shows that on the whole, young adults in Michigan are more likely to live in poverty and report poorer mental health, and less likely to graduate on time than their national peers. The brief, Who are Michigan’s Young Adults, explores data on young adults regarding economic security, education, health and safety, and family and community.
In 2020, 23% of young adults ages 18-24 in Michigan were living in poverty, meaning living on less than $12,760 a year for a single person. Though this has decreased from about 27% in 2010, 1 in 4 young adults are still living below the federal poverty threshold.
“We’re relying on young adults to strengthen the future of Michigan, and we’re seeing so much promise from them as they enter the workforce and participate in the democratic process. But because of our state’s lack of investments over the decades, a quarter of them are living in poverty as they begin adulthood. It’s in Michigan’s power to fix this—just this year we saw the introduction of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and grants for workforce training, both of which will help young adults get ahead. Now is the time to build on that momentum by implementing policy solutions that will create stronger foundations before kids become adults,” said Monique Stanton, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy.
Due to systemic barriers and policies rooted in discrimination, youth and young adults of color are even more likely to begin adulthood amid economic and other challenges. Black and Asian young adults were most likely to live in high-poverty areas at 42% and 27%, respectively. Racial disparities are also seen when it comes to education: 94% of young adults ages 18-24 are high school graduates or enrolled in school, but that rate dips to 76% for Hispanic or Latino young people, 82% for American Indians, and 86% for young Michiganders who are Black.
The brief is not without bright spots: Michigan youth are more likely than the national average to have health insurance coverage, due in no small part to the state’s Healthy Michigan Plan, and are slightly more likely to be enrolled in or have completed college. But indicators relating to mental health, drug and alcohol use, economic security and more are cause for concern when compared with national averages.
“The data around health and safety is deeply concerning, especially since it reflects what young people reported before the pandemic—we know that the COVID-19 crisis has intensified problems related to mental health and substance use. One way we can address this challenge is actually through school funding. Targeting investments to schools based on community and student needs, and providing better access to school-based health services, can address some of the root causes of the issues our kids are facing each day,” Stanton said.
Along with adopting a weighted school funding formula and removing barriers to school-based health services, the Kids Count project recommends expanding the permanent enhancement of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and making improvements to cash assistance in order to support families in poverty.
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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to use data to educate, advocate and fight for policy solutions that undo historic and systemic racial and economic inequities to lift up Michiganders who have been left out of prosperity. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
The Kids Count in Michigan project, https://mlpp.org/kids-count/
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.
