By 
Policy
A new national opinion poll found that 79% of small business owners support the creation of a national paid family and medical leave program that would guarantee employees wage replacement for up to 12 weeks, funded by both employer and employee contributions. This marks a 9% increase in support from a previous poll, conducted when just three states had implemented paid family and medical leave programs. The poll, conducted by Lake Research Partners on behalf of WKKF grantees Small Business Majority and the National Partnership for Women & Families, also found that backing for paid family leave programs extends across party lines, with large majorities of Democrats (93%), independents (74%) and Republicans (72%) in favor.
Education
WKKF grantees Policy Equity Group and Children of the Rising Sun Empowerment Center are key advocates for Michigan’s push toward universal pre-K by 2027. Policy Equity Group helped create a roadmap for the expansion, emphasizing the need for infrastructure such as teacher training and classroom capacity to support growth. Children of the Rising Sun is an on-the-ground provider that plans to use the increased state funding to expand access, open a second center in Detroit and raise staff wages, ensuring broader benefits for families and early childhood educators alike.
Michigan
The Hope Starts Here initiative, founded and supported by WKKF and The Kresge Foundation, with the help of many Detroit-based nonprofits, is transforming early childhood education in the city. The initiative is achieving this by connecting children and families to quality learning opportunities through a network of resources and support. Another WKKF grantee, Outlier Media, created a how-to guide for local families so they can identify the best early childhood program to help their children thrive. By addressing barriers such as affordability, accessibility and staffing shortages, the Hope Starts Here initiative has created a stronger early care and education ecosystem in Detroit. This ecosystem has provided more opportunities for families like home-based, informal and center-based care, while providing access to financial assistance programs like Head Start and the Great Start Readiness Program.
New Mexico
WKKF grantee New Mexico Voices for Children released a new report, “From Poverty to Prosperity: Understanding the Impact of Income Supports in the Data.” The report sheds new light on the significant progress the state has made in alleviating poverty among New Mexico families. New Mexico has long been ranked among the poorest states according to the Official Poverty Measure – but that doesn’t tell the whole story. When concerted anti-poverty programs, such as nutritional assistance, child care assistance and tax credits are factored in using a Supplemental Poverty Measure, New Mexico’s poverty level ranks 17th in the nation. This rapid rise in financial security for New Mexico families has profound implications for the long-term wellness and success of children in New Mexico, who for many years have been ranked 50th in well-being according to the KIDS COUNTS Data Book released annually by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Mississippi
Rocky’s House, an interactive traveling exhibit developed by the Mississippi Children’s Museum, is making a special holiday stop for young patients at the Children’s of Mississippi Hospital through Jan. 10, 2025. Part of the Talk from the Start initiative supported by WKKF, the exhibit promotes early childhood development and literacy by encouraging caregivers to engage with children through play, conversation and reading activities. Families visiting the exhibit can enjoy books, games and creative outlets like a puppet theater, all designed to nurture a love for learning and language development from birth.
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