On November 21, 2024, Children of the Rising Sun located in Detroit welcomed Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate and staff, along with representatives from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC). Speaker Tate joined early childhood leaders to discuss the importance of investing in early care and learning, including the importance of making sure that child care small business owners are informing policy change and helping to shape the understanding of the impacts of child care for families and communities.
Child care professionals at Children of the Rising Sun, including Zina Davis, Executive Director, and Monique Snyder, owner of Brainiacs Clubhouse, emphasized that affordable, accessible child care remains a critical need for families as Michigan prioritizes becoming a top state to have and raise children. The discussion about the necessity of investing in quality child care took place in the bright and welcoming center on its “Dads and Donuts” day where fathers are invited into the space. Children of the Rising Sun prides itself on being a culturally inclusive, family-centered, high-quality program and was pleased to share their perspective as a child care small business, including the challenges that they encounter as they balance the needs of families, their workers, and operating a small business.
“Ensuring all voices are at the table, including child care small business owners, as we prioritize our state’s urgent child care needs is not just important—it’s absolutely essential,” said ECIC CEO, Alicia Guevara Warren. “We appreciate the ongoing support from Speaker Tate and our partners across the state as we strive to ensure that all Michigan families have access to affordable, high-quality child care.”