The Michigan Division for Early Childhood (MiDEC) endorses the NAEYC statement on Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education. Additionally, MiEC has three priorities. The first priority is to support the appropriate personnel preparation and standards of practice for all early childhood professionals that provide support to young children with exceptional needs and their families in the state of Michigan, specifically as it relates to cultural competence, bias, and anti-racism. The second priority is related to Early On, Michigan’s early intervention system which provides supports and services to families of eligible infants and toddlers with delays and disabilities. In order to promote optimal education outcomes for Michigan’s children, we must fully support our youngest learners, beginning with the infants and toddlers with delays and disabilities who are eligible for Early On Michigan and their families. The third priority is to support increased funding for high quality preschool programming. GSRP, Michigan’s state-funded preschool program has the potential to provide outstanding inclusive preschool education for students with disabilities, however, the program has not received an increase in per-child funding since 2013-14.
