Funding for At-Risk Pre-Schoolers Faces Uncertain Future in Lansing

"The state House has restored funding for a program that assists thousands of at-risk preschoolers in Michigan, but a final showdown awaits in the Senate.

On Thursday, the Democratic-led House approved $1 million in funding for the Child Care Expulsion Project. This would preserve an 11-year-old program that offers counseling to families of children at risk of being expelled from child care because of behavioral problems...

..."This is an important program for Michigan," said Jack Kresnak, president and CEO of Michigan's Children, a children's advocacy group. "This is the state's only mental health program that deals with very young children's emotional and mental health issues. It not only helps children, but it helps day care providers how to deal better with children who are not socialized and have trouble adjusting to day care."According to Michigan Children, an estimated 7,000 children under age 5 are expelled from child care centers or preschools in Michigan every year. By contrast, fewer than 2,000 K-12 students are expelled in the state annually."

www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100529/NEWS04/5290324/1005/NEWS04/Funding-in-limbo-for-program-that-helps-at-risk-preschoolers