Latest news with #MiLEAP
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Michigan summer camps want parents to know 'we are prepared'
After a flash flood killed dozens of children attending summer camp in Texas, Michigan camp leaders want to remind worried parents that safety is always their priority. The flood happened early morning on July 4, when heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to rise at a deadly speed. The death toll for Kerr County, Texas, is 120 people and counting, according to USA TODAY. Of those deaths, 27 are children and counselors from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian sleepaway camp located on the banks of the river. Summer camp is a beloved tradition for many families, and a sacred coming of age ritual for children and young adults. To continue that legacy, camp leaders in Michigan say that safety must be a priority. Jill Laidlaw worked for Camp Cavell in Lexington for 37 years. Laidlaw often played out emergency scenarios in her head when she was a camp director. When she heard about the tragedy at Camp Mystic, she said she immediately thought about what the young camp counselors tried to do to keep the kids safe. "(They were) probably trying to put the kids up on the top bunks, thinking it was going to just be a small flood, and somebody would come and help them, and then realized that they were going to have to try and get those kids out," said Laidlaw. Laidlaw said that thinking about it keeps her up at night. "I'm having a hard time dealing with it," she said, " I don't think we'll ever know the stories." Laidlaw said any emergencies she experienced as a camp director were nowhere near as devastating as what happened at Camp Mystic. But there were instances that challenged the staff. One time, Laidlaw said, the camp lost power for three days while hosting 200 children living with muscular dystrophy. "We had to deal with electric (wheel)chairs, trying to charge them," Laidlaw said. "It was quite the challenge to keep them there when that would happen." She said fire trucks would come to the campsite and hook up extension cords to their generators. The trucks would charge five electric wheelchairs at a time, and keep the kids entertained while they charged. Laidlaw said Camp Cavell was accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and practiced safety protocols at the start of each one-week session; they were most prepared for fires and storms. ACA accreditation is optional, she said. But all camps in Michigan are required to meet Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) safety regulations to obtain a license from the state. According to Michigan law, some of those regulations include providing written procedures for emergencies with disasters (weather, fire, lost camper), posting evacuation routes visibly in every "camper-occupied" building, in more than one room, and performing fire safety orientation within 48 hours of a new session. Latitia McCree-Thomas, senior vice president of communications and marketing for the YMCA of Metro Detroit, said the camp is well prepared to know what to do and where to go in case of emergency. YMCA of Metro Detroit is also ACA-accredited. "We actually do drills every week with the staff and the campers so they know exactly where to go during any severe weather or emergencies," McCree-Thomas said. "We have staff that are constantly monitoring the weather as well, and all employees know the evacuation plan and proper routes." McCree-Thomas said there are alternate evacuation locations to go to, in case the original spots are destroyed or blocked-off. She also said children are accompanied by adults at all times during camp, highlighting that safety is the No. 1 priority for YCMA. In a written response to the floods in Texas, the president and CEO of the American Youth Foundation — an organization that owns summer camps — Liz Marshall said that safety is also at the forefront of what all of their camps do. More: MI school district budgets precarious as feds sit on $160M, state misses deadline "This tragedy hits hard for those of us who dedicate our lives to creating safe, joyful summer experiences for young people," Marshall wrote. She also wrote that their Michigan camp, Miniwanca, collaborates with local emergency responders to create and practice safety protocols — in addition to having staff trained in CPR, first aid and crisis communication. The camp also monitors the weather closely and ensures that evacuation routes are "clearly identified" for campers and staff. For programs at Miniwanca that travel, leaders always have a trackable device like a cellphone, satellite phone or GPS locator. McCree said the YMCA of Metro Detroit has received phone calls from worried parents after the deadly flood in Texas. And asking questions is exactly what parents should do, she said. More: Michigan school district agrees to end seclusion after DOJ probe, Free Press investigation "When you sign your children up for any program, ask what their safety protocols are," she said. "Make sure you're comfortable with the processes and then also make sure your child is aware of what they are." McCree suggests parents ask whether their camp is accredited by the ACA — something that isn't required but adds extra levels of safety. Henry DeHart, interim president and CEO for the ACA, wrote in an email to the Free Press that ACA accreditation acts as an "educational framework" for the health and safety standards for summer camps — often going "beyond what state laws require." Some of those requirements require specific health and safety training for camp staff members, and thorough documented plans and frequent rehearsal for emergency situations for staff and campers. DeHart wrote that Camp Mystic in Texas is not accredited by the ACA. Laidlaw said that even with the added regulations from the ACA, there's no way to plan for every possible situation. "No matter what kind of protocols they had there, I can't imagine they had anything that could have dealt with something so quick," said Laidlaw. DeHart wrote that the ACA is providing financial support to the cause and mental health services are available to neighboring camps in Texas. "We recognize that tragedies anywhere can heighten anxieties everywhere. We encourage open, ongoing dialogue between camps and families, and we stand ready to support camp professionals as they navigate these difficult conversations with compassion and clarity," DeHart wrote. Contact Emma George-Griffin: EGeoreGriffin@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Camps continue to prioritize safety after Texas flash floods
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Michigan's Pre-K for All hits all 10 quality marks for 8th year: MiLEAP reports
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– (MiLEAP) announced that Michigan's PreK for All program has reached all 10 quality benchmarks for the 8th year. Michigan is one of five states to meet all 10 of the National Institute for Early Education's quality benchmarks for PreK. According to the mission statement, the quality standards research provides data-driven information that identifies what factors contribute to high-quality early education and the barriers to achieving high-quality early education. 'Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, and I am proud that Michigan's PreK for All program has yet again been recognized as a top program nationwide,' said Governor Whitmer in a news release to 6 News. 'All Michigan four-year-olds are eligible to enroll in free, high-quality PreK, giving them a solid academic foundation while saving their families $10,000 per year. I will continue to work with anyone to set up more of our kids for lifelong success by making strategic investments in early learning.' The Great Start Readiness Program is the state's main PreK for All program that also includes Head Start, developmental kindergarten, and early education. 'We are proud that Michigan's Great Start Readiness Program is one of only 5 states to meet top benchmarks for quality,' said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP in a news release sent to 6 News. 'Early learning experiences are critical to children's development and success. MiLEAP is committed to working with partners across the state to expand access to PreK for All and maintain the highest standards for quality.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whitmer says record pre-K enrollment will save Michigan families $10K per year
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, speaking at Livonia Early Childhood Center, where she announced that Michigan has achieved record PreK enrollment. March 12, 2025. Submitted photo. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan families will save an estimated $10,000 per year in child care costs after the state achieved record PreK for All enrollment. Whitmer, making the announcement Wednesday at the Livonia Early Childhood Center, said enrollment in the Great Start Readiness Program, or GSRP, the state's primary PreK program, is up 24% since she unveiled the PreK for All initiative in 2023. 'This school year, a record number of children are enrolled in no-cost, high-quality PreK programs across the state, saving Michigan $475 million,' said Whitmer. 'Today, 56% of Michigan's 4-year-olds are enrolled in free preK, and in this year's budget, we can build on this momentum to set up more kids for lifelong success and save even more families more money.' According to a press release from the Governor's office, preliminary reports to the state from intermediate school districts indicate more than 47,500 4-year-olds are enrolled in GSRP programs in the 2024-25 school year. That includes students in Head Start, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education. In addition to creating a foundation for children to be successful in school and work, a recent analysis by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research found that for every dollar spent on PreK for All, $1.72 in total economic benefits is created in Michigan. Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea is the director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP. 'We know how important early learning experiences are to children's development and success, which is why MiLEAP is working with partners across the state to expand access to PreK for All,' she said. 'PreK not only benefits 4-year-olds, it also benefits our economy as families can work or go to school knowing their children are safe and learning.' Enrollment in PreK for All is now open to all families, no matter their income, for the 2025-26 school year for children who will be 4-years-old by Dec. 1, 2025. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan scholarship helps students save thousands on tuition costs
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A record number of Michigan students are enrolled in the Michigan Achievement Scholarship this year, each saving thousands of dollars in tuition costs. The is a state program that increases access and affordability to Michiganders seeking a skill certificate and/or college degree. The reports that nearly 60,000 students received the Michigan Achievement Scholarship this spring, saving them a total of $252.3 million in tuition. 'In Michigan, we are delivering on our promise to make college and career training more accessible and affordable because every student deserves a fair shot at a great-paying job,' said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a news release sent to 6 News. Students benefiting from the program this year include: 18,226 students attending a community college at no or low cost. 7,009 students at private colleges saving up to $5,500 a year. 34,371 students at public universities saving up to $5,500 a year. 'The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is making a significant impact not just for students – but for families and communities across the state,' said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP, in a news release sent to 6 News. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MiLEAP announces grants to support student success
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is accepting applications from colleges and universities for the next round of grants aimed at removing barriers to getting an education and improving graduation rates. They are part of a $45 million Student Success initiative, which MiLEAP said in a Friday release is 'the state's largest-ever grant program aimed at increasing student success rates' in higher education. The initiative will help the state achieve its Sixty by 30 goal of 60% of adults with a skill certificate or degree by 2030. 'To achieve Sixty by 30, we are focused on access and student success,' MiLEAP Deputy Director of Higher Education Michelle Richard said in a statement. 'The Student Success Grants encourage colleges to take a deep look at what's working and where they can improve. These grants equip institutions with the necessary funding to expand support services, offer direct assistance and develop innovative approaches to increase student success.' The Student Success Competitive Grant Opportunities guide lays out the different categories of grants that will be available in 2025: barrier removal for students, barrier removal for growing a college's capacity and college success. Applications are due between April and June, depending on what type of grant is being sought. MiLEAP will host online office hours to assist grant applicants every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. starting Feb. 18. Office hours to assist grant recipients will be every Thursday starting on Feb. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. Click here to learn more about the Sixty by 30 grants. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
