A version of this column originally appeared in The Alpena News.
Michigan’s Kids Count data shows that raising healthy children is like assembling a puzzle: housing, food security, health care, education and economic stability must all fit together for every child to thrive.
Too many of those pieces are missing today, and recent federal budget cuts threaten to scatter the puzzle even further, making it harder for families to build a strong foundation. Each year, the Kids Count in Michigan Data Profiles track child well-being across four domains — education, health and safety, economic security, and family and community. This year’s profiles also include a special focus on early childhood, since the first years of life set the stage for lifelong outcomes. By examining data in these areas, we can better understand the full picture of child well-being and where action is needed most.
The 2025 Data Profiles present data at the state level, data for each of Michigan’s 83 counties, and data for the cities of Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids. Together, they offer a snapshot of trends across Michigan, giving lawmakers, community leaders and nonprofits the tools to strengthen their advocacy and programs. These profiles are not just numbers on a page — they are a call to action, highlighting where families are struggling and where progress is possible.
This year’s data presents a mixed picture. Overall, Michigan improved on only 11 out of the 19 indicators. The most notable declines were in child safety net programs, a troubling sign as the recently passed federal Republican megabill enacted deep cuts to key safety net programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which may lead to more children losing access to crucial services. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) enrollment declined in 74 of 83 Michigan counties, cash assistance dropped in 70 counties and Medicaid enrollment for children fell in 58 counties. When fewer families can access food, health coverage or cash assistance, children are at greater risk of falling behind in every area of life.
We also saw setbacks in education and early childhood, echoing Michigan’s low ranking of 44th in the nation for education outcomes. Preschool enrollment fell in more than half of our counties. At the same time, the average monthly cost of child care rose or stagnated in all 83 counties, the worst trend across all indicators. In 2024, the average monthly cost of child care in Michigan reached $824 a month, nearly half (46%) of the full-time minimum wage. For many parents, this cost is simply unaffordable.
Meanwhile, labor force participation among parents of children ages birth to 5 has increased statewide. Parents are working more, yet they face skyrocketing child care costs and fewer preschool options. Affordable child care and accessible early education are essential for working families, but lack of sufficient investment in these supports sets children back. The effects often show up later in school: third-grade reading scores continue to falter, as do eighth-grade math scores. Without renewed investment in our youngest children, outcomes will only worsen as they grow into later childhood and adulthood.
Despite these challenges, there are still reasons for optimism. Our health domain showed improvement in three of four indicators: infant mortality, births with less-than-adequate prenatal care and lead testing for children ages 1-2 since 2018. These gains suggest that investments in child health are making a difference, and that targeted strategies can yield measurable results. When resources are prioritized and programs are sustained, progress follows.
But progress in one area is not enough; families need all areas working together to thrive. When all pieces align, the full picture of child well-being in Michigan comes into focus. The federal budget cuts risk leaving families with an incomplete picture and children without the strong foundation they deserve. That’s why it remains critical to protect and strengthen these supports, and why the data in these Kids Count Profiles must be used to advocate for the policies and investments that ensure Michigan’s children and families can flourish. By working together, we can make sure the puzzle comes together, piece by piece, into a Michigan where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
You can explore all of the Data Profiles, as well as our 2025 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book, by visiting the Kids Count section at www.mlpp.org.
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.
