Michigan Family Voices

07/25/2026

The Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) of the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC) is pleased to present a family leadership award in memory of a dear friend and Michigan Alliance for Families colleague, Celena Barnes.

Celena passed away in September 2014, and the PIC would like to keep her memory alive with your help, by selecting an outstanding parent leader to be awarded the “Celena Barnes Family Leadership Award.”

Please see the nomination form and consider recommending an exceptional parent leader.

https://tinyurl.com/CelenaBarnesFamilyLeadership
Nominations are due by August 28, 2026. The parent selected will be revealed at the Early On Conference in Traverse City this year, November 11-12, 2026.
We are excited to learn about all the incredible parents who are making a difference in the lives of young children.

Nominees can represent a variety of different leadership roles that contribute to the well-being of children including:
· State or Local Interagency Coordinating Councils
· School organizations
· Advocacy organizations
· Other leadership roles
In selecting the recipients, consideration will be given to a parent whose contributions include, but are not limited to, any of the following activities:
· Passionately speaking up as well as amplifying the voices of other families
· Advocating for changes when they are needed and taking action
· Fostering leadership skills in others

07/13/2026

We are hosting Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Day: United in Community Living.

📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
📍 Heritage Hall - Capitol Visitor's Center (Lansing, MI)

Join us and people with developmental disabilities, families, and community leaders to help protect Medicaid-funded services that allow people with developmental disabilities to live, work, and participate fully in their communities.

Event Highlights:
✅ Engaging Learning Sessions
✅ Legislative Advocacy 101
✅ Legislative Luncheon & Program
✅ "Take Action" Workshop

You must register to attend. Space is limited, and you will be selected to participate on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here:

https://bit.ly/ddadvocacyday26

The deadline to register is August 31st.

Do you have questions or need help with your registration? Contact Tracy Vincent at [email protected] or call 517-285-1903.

We can't wait to see you there!

06/05/2026

📣 Feedback needed!

Are you a youth or the parent or caregiver of a youth? Do you have lived experience with the public behavioral health system, including CMHs and their providers? Are you a behavioral health service provider in Michigan?

We would love your thoughts! Your input may help inform:
✅ State policy or program changes.
✅ Best practice to engage with children, families, and providers.
✅ Guidance for and understanding of service eligibility and access.
✅ How to strengthen partnerships between children, families, and service providers.

The MDHHS Quality Improvement Council, the MDHHS Bureau of Children's Coordinated Health Policy & Supports (BCCHPS) is recruiting individuals for several opportunities - surveys, focus groups, art design, personal stories, Advisory Committees, etc.

If you are interested, please scan the QR code in the flyer or visit:

https://bit.ly/43Nq4oh

05/29/2026

Policy decisions shape real lives.

Join The Arc Michigan this June for a three-part Disability Policy Webinar Series featuring leaders from across Michigan and the nation discussing the issues impacting disability services today—and what may be ahead.

From legislative updates to conversations about access, quality, and the future of services, this series is designed to keep advocates, families, and professionals informed and connected.

📅 June 5, 12 & 26, 2026
Register now: https://tinyurl.com/ArcMi26

05/19/2026

Help amplify the Direct Care Worker Wage Coalition's statewide action alert: https://ujoin.co/campaigns/4460/actions/public?action_id=6858

With FY27 budget discussions underway, now is a critical time for lawmakers to hear directly from advocates, beneficiaries, providers, workers, families, and community members about the urgent need for sustainable direct care worker wages.

Please take a moment to complete and share the one-click action alert within your networks. It only takes a minute, but together our collective voices can help drive meaningful change.

Michigan’s direct care workers help people with disabilities live safely and independently in their homes and communities. But despite years of policy commitments, funding intended to support higher wages has too often failed to reach providers, families, and workers.

04/30/2026

To register, please fill out the following Google form: https://forms.gle/Cw2qDaSAekUGpoEQ8