This post originally appeared in Bridge Magazine.
My job requires me to take deep dives into data and research on kids and families in Michigan. I spend much of my time becoming intimately familiar with mostly troubling information on how our kids are doing. I am, however, occasionally given hope when our policymakers prioritize the needs of kids, such as reforming zero-tolerance school discipline policies, investing in child care and funding programs that help schools with high levels of poverty. But when I look at the data and the trends over time, I have to ask, “Are we doing enough to ensure that all of our kids can reach their full potential?”
Our 2018 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book was released not long ago and helps us to answer this question. The report reviews data from 2010 to 2016 on 16 different measures of child well-being. The analysis does show us improvements in some areas. Our teen birth rate is down 33% and the number of students graduating from high school on time has also gotten better. But while child poverty rates have declined, more than 1 in 5 kids in Michigan still lives in poverty and many more live in families struggling to make ends meet. All in all, more than half of the 16 data measures have either worsened or stagnated statewide. I’ll also point out (again) that our state is in the bottom 12 nationally on education outcomes.
The new report also shows us that we are leaving behind groups of kids and families, particularly kids of color and those who are living in families with low incomes. Due to policies and discrimination, racial disparities have been created and maintained over time. The data reveal higher numbers of kids of color living in poverty, and their parents also do not necessarily have access to the same job opportunities that pay higher wages—and the educational opportunities that help secure these types of jobs.
Policymakers have the power to prioritize policies that will help reduce disparities to make Michigan a place where all families thrive. While there are many policy changes needed through a comprehensive approach, one important strategy that is currently before the Legislature would be to raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction. This is a bipartisan bill package that overwhelmingly passed the Michigan House of Representatives last session and is currently sitting in the House Committee on Law and Justice (chaired by Representative Klint Kesto of Oakland County).
Michigan remains one of four states that automatically charges 17-year-old kids as adults in the criminal justice system, putting kids at greater risk of abuse and violence and hindering their chances at rehabilitation and a stable future. Youth of color are disproportionately impacted with the most recent data showing that 53% of 17-year-olds entering the state adult corrections system were kids of color while they only make up about 23% of the 17-year-old population in Michigan. Youth who are incarcerated lose about 5.5 months of educational hours per year compared to the average high school student. In addition to less access to education, youth charged as adults carry an adult criminal record, which creates enormous barriers to employment—and long-term financial security. This also impacts the potential of the state and local communities to generate revenue through taxes and businesses’ abilities to hire workers.
To answer the question I began with, the answer is, “no.” Michigan lawmakers can be doing more to help Michigan kids, and they have concrete legislation before them to do it. But time is running out, as the raise the age bills need to be passed before the 2018 session is over. The research and the data couldn’t be clearer: Kids and families fare better when they receive the support that they need. We know that children in the juvenile justice system receive age-appropriate treatment and have better outcomes than kids sent to the adult system. The governor and state legislators have the opportunity to change the lives and futures of our young people. We hope you’ll join us in calling on them to invest in our youth by raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction.
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.
