Speaking for Kids, the podcast from Michigan’s Children

by Michigan's Children

Each month, Speaking for Kids the podcast will bring you a variety of crucial conversations with people making public policy – and the voices of the people impacted by those decisions in Michigan. Our goal will be to help you strengthen your voice to speak up for the changes we need to improve Michigan’s kids' & families' lives. In this and future podcasts, we’ll explore encouraging champions like you to get involved in the iss ...   ...  Read more
Government
Politics
Social Sciences
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Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Big Wins in Michigan’s FY24 Budget for Afterschool, Adult Ed, Homeless Youth

    Big Wins in Michigan’s FY24 Budget for Afterschool, Adult Ed, Homeless Youth

    S01 E20
    32:12

    Speaking for Kids podcast host Matt Gillard from Michigan’s Children talks with three top state advocates about the sizeable funding wins in the new FY24 state budget for afterschool programming, services for homeless and runaway youths, and adult education and literacy help. Listen in as Matt welcomes Patrick Brown, Executive Director of the Michigan Adult, Community and Alternative Education Association; Ben Moe, President, of Michigan Network for Youth and Families; and Erin Skene-Pratt, Executive Director, of Michigan Afterschool Partnership. Hear what these unprecedented and historic funding increases mean for real service improvements and outcomes for youth and families, what made the difference in budget advocacy this year, and the lessons advocates can take away from these important new successes.

  • As FY24 State Budget Talks Finalize, Insiders Share What Advocates Should Know

    As FY24 State Budget Talks Finalize, Insiders Share What Advocates Should Know

    S01 E19
    29:09

    Speaking for Kids podcast host Matt Gillard talks inside politics around the FY24 State Budget with two veteran Lansing lobbyists. As state budget negotiations begin winding down to a conclusion next month, Matt welcomes two Capitol insiders experienced in the fight for children’s issues to discuss what the new fiscal year’s budget holds for kids and families. What do the latest state revenue estimates mean for programs and services we care about most? And how can advocates follow through on these issues? Listen in as Matt welcomes Andrea Cascarilla from the Government Policy and Practice Group at Dykema, a leading law firm, and Matt Kurta, a long-standing partner with Karoub and Associates.

  • Students Empowered: Youth Rise Up, Speak Out Against Gun Violence

    Students Empowered: Youth Rise Up, Speak Out Against Gun Violence

    S01 E18
    26:39

    Speaking for Kids host Matt Gillard speaks with Sen. Rosemary Bayer about bills in the Michigan Legislature that she and other Democrats have sponsored to reform gun laws as the state deals with the aftermath of the mass shooting on campus at Michigan State University in February. They are joined by MSU Senior Dylan Gebhard, active in the Sit Down MSU and Students Demand Action movement in this podcast.

  • How Gov. Whitmer’s Universal PreK Plan Impacts Early Childhood

    How Gov. Whitmer’s Universal PreK Plan Impacts Early Childhood

    S01 E17
    26:48

    Michigan’s Children’s Speaking for Kids Host Matt Gillard explores GovernorGretchen Whitmer’s “universal PreK plan” to expand access and eligibility to thestate’s Great Start Readiness Program to all interested families of 4-year-olds.Presented in the Governor’s recent State of the State address, it’s a bold plan thathas raised interest and some concern among early childhood providers andadvocates. Listen in as Matt welcomes Dawne Bell, CEO of Michigan’s EarlyChildhood Investment Corporation, one of the state’s leading voices on early careand education, and Jeff Capizanno, founder of the Washington, D.C.-based PolicyEquity Group. Capizanno is working with Michigan’s early childhood communityto evaluate how to implement the proposal in Michigan.

  • Gun Reform is a Children's Issue

    Gun Reform is a Children's Issue

    S01 E16
    21:56

    Gun-related violence became the leading cause of child mortality in the United States – exceeding car accidents – just two years ago in 2020. Speaking for Kids podcast host Matt Gillard from Michigan’s Children welcomes gun reform activists Imani McKissic and Christopher Smith to the podcast to discuss Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recent call for legislative action addressing gun violence during her State of the State address. McKissic, 19, now a college sophomore, lost her brother Michael McKissic II in an unsolved drive-by shooting in Lansing when she was 12. In his memory, her family started the Mikey23 Foundation to help mid-Michigan youth learn a skilled trade. Michigan State University professor Smith is the executive director of the Michigan Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence working to prevent gun violence through community education and beneficial gun policies.Listen today.