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

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • S01 E17 - How Gov. Whitmer’s Universal PreK Plan Impacts Early Childhood

    S01 E17 - How Gov. Whitmer’s Universal PreK Plan Impacts Early Childhood

    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-...

    26:48
  • S01 E16 - Gun Reform is a Children's Issue

    S01 E16 - Gun Reform is a Children's Issue

    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...

    21:56
  • S01 E15 - Justice by Geography? Addressing Juvenile Detention

    S01 E15 - Justice by Geography? Addressing Juvenile Detention

    Michigan’s Children’s Host Matt Gillard is joined on the Speaking for Kids podcast by three special guests to discuss glaring problems that came to light in the Wayne County youth detention system this fall. In a series of investi...

    29:25
  • S01 E14 - What’s in Store for Kinship Care in Michigan?

    S01 E14 - What’s in Store for Kinship Care in Michigan?

    Speaking for Kids Host Matt Gillard from Michigan’s Children explores animportant family issue that’s thankfully gaining greater attention at the Capitollately. With 54,000 children living in kinship care families in Michigan, Mat...

    22:07
  • S01 E13 - Change is Coming: Youth and Michigan's Justice System: Michigan's Children's Matt Gillard

    S01 E13 - Change is Coming: Youth and Michigan's Justice System: Michigan's Children's Matt Gillard

    Welcome two members of the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform to the Speaking for Kids Podcast to discuss a series of 32 recommended reforms that hold the promise of transforming the state’s court system for youth. Jas...

    33:52