Issues In Focus:

Kids Count in Michigan Data Book: Health Matters

The Kids Count in Michigan Data Book: Health Matters finds that child abuse and neglect in Michigan jumped 34 percent over the past decade while nearly half of public school children statewide now qualify for free and reduced price lunches.

Included are profiles for 83 counties, the city of Detroit and the Upper Peninsula.

Read full report

Ties that Bind: Poverty and Mich.’s Economic Recovery

Picture of young boy with dirt on his facePoverty has a huge impact on the ability of Michigan’s economy to recover. When people have less disposable income, consumer spending goes down, forcing businesses to lay off workers or shut down entirely.

Read the report: Ties that Bind  –  Executive summary 
Read the press release
Read the blog

 Act now to stand up for families and kids in Michigan

On Oct. 1, two new state policies impacting economically vulnerable families and children in our state took effect. The strict enforcement of time limits on cash assistance and the new asset testing for food assistance will hurt struggling families and people across our state. 

Please call Gov. Snyder’s office at 517-373-3400 or email him at Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov. Thank the governor for modifying the asset test when it comes to vehicles but ask him to eliminate the asset test for food benefits. Voice your opposition to the new time limits. Now is not the time for these harsh policies.

New! See We are the 30,000 on Facebook
County breakdown: FIP closures due to time limits
Fact sheet: More hurt for Michigan families
Fact sheet: Real People, Real Facts, Real Fallout
Fact sheet: Michigan’s Food Assistance Program

What’s New

Jan. 24, 2012 Press release: Kids Count
Jan. 24, 2012 Report: Kids Count in Michigan: Health Matters
Jan. 19, 2012 Blog: Some things missing in speech
Jan. 18, 2012 Statement: State of the State
Jan. 17, 2012 Report: Money Back in Michigan
Jan. 13, 2012 Blog: Finding Courage
Jan. 13, 2012 Statement: Boosting working families, helping needy kids
Jan. 12, 2012 Fact Sheet: Tax Internet Sales 
Jan. 12, 2012 Report: Michigan children and families: How they fare in the FY12 budget  
Jan. 6, 2012 Blog: The Times’ front page — how times change
Jan. 4, 2012 Statement: Surplus is opportunity
Jan. 3, 2012 Blog: Celebrating 100 years!
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National Networks
  • Kids Count

    Kids Count in Michigan is part of a broad national effort to measure the well-being of children at the state and local levels, and use that information to shape efforts to improve the lives of children. The state project is part of a nationwide network of state projects supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation of Baltimore, Maryland. Read more about this program.

  • Workforce

    The League is part of the Working Poor Families Project. It was launched in 2002 by national philanthropic leaders who saw the need to strengthen state policies affecting these working families. The national initiative is now supported by the Annie E. Casey, Ford, Joyce and Mott foundations and is in 23 states. The WPFP focuses on the states because many of their policies and investments critically affect the lives of working families. Read more.

  • Budget & Tax

    The Michigan League for Human Services is one of 31 statewide organizations that make up the State Fiscal Analysis Initiative. This network is committed to rigorous policy analysis and responsible budget and tax policy with a particular focus on the needs of low- and middle-income families. Read more.

    • In The News
    Report finds Michigan child abuse, neglect up

    Many Michigan kids living in poverty, report finds

    Report Finds More Michigan Kids Living In Extreme Poverty

    Kids Count reveals poverty rates increasing

    Food stamps to be restored for some

    Browse news articles about MLHS
    Blog: Factually Speaking
    Extreme poverty has doubled

    The last several state Kids Count data books have tracked the increase in child poverty, but the latest highlights the fact that between 2000 and 2010 the percentage of children in extreme poverty doubled—from... Read More
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  • The Michigan League for Human Services is a unique and effective voice for Michigan's disadvantaged citizens. It is the only statewide organization committed to the welfare of Michigan's low-income citizens with analysis and advocacy expertise... Donate | Join