Prevent Child Abuse America sends a letter to the members of Michigan's Legislature because of threats to funding for early childhood programming.

Earlier this week, the staff at Prevent Child Abuse Michigan asked us to bolster their efforts to fight budget cuts to early childhood programming in the state by sending a letter to the Legislature there arguing for the importance of protecting programs like these. We have posted that letter below.

Dear Members of Michigan’s Legislature,

The economic viability of Michigan is in part dependent upon the availability of a skilled workforce which is productive and contributes to Michigan’s competitiveness in a global economy. Supporting services that assist the workforce to perform productively is good for business, good for our economy and simply good public policy. Continued funding for early childhood programming helps accomplish this goal.

Citizens across Michigan and across the country overwhelmingly oppose cuts in funding to early childhood programs. And with good reason, because when we invest in child development, we are investing in community and economic development, as flourishing children become the foundation of a thriving society.

Unfortunately, children are sometimes exposed to extreme and sustained stress like child abuse and neglect, which can be devastating to a child's development. This toxic stress damages the developing brain and adversely affects an individual’s learning and behavior, as well as increases susceptibility to physical and mental illness. As a nation, we spend an estimated $104 billion a year on services that are required as a result of child maltreatment, such as foster care, criminal justice and special education.

We can invest in children now, however, so we don’t have pay later, and we can be the stewards of a stronger Michigan today and on into the future. We implore you to continue Michigan’s investment in early childhood programming.

Sincerely,

James M. Hmurovich, President & CEO
Prevent Child Abuse America

Check it out - Prevent Child Abuse America, The NonProfit Times and social media.

We have been oddly focused on social media here at Changing The Way We Think About Prevention recently. That said, we are going to continue focusing on social media at least for one more post and let you know about an article that highlights our social media work which just came out in The NonProfit Times. Many thanks to Mark Hrywna for writing this piece and for reaching out to Evan Kalish as well who is the co-administrator of the Society Against Child Abuse's Facebook Causes page who we also cannot thank enough for his ongoing support.

Healthy Families America is now on Facebook. Please check it out and please join them.

It's true, Healthy Families America now has a Facebook fan page and Causes page. Please take a look and please join them won't you. Thanks.

Update: HFA is now on Twitter as well, please follow them.