To accomplish this, the League uses data-driven advocacy to shape public policy, focusing on a range of public and private supports, including public assistance, work and family supports, job training and education. The League also works to make sure adequate resources are available to support these services. Through research, analysis, public education and advocacy efforts, the League brings credible and accessible information to the public policy discussion of the critical issues that affect the lives of low-income people.
The League has a network of more than 1,500 individuals and organizations from business, labor, human services professions, faith-based organizations as well as concerned citizens. The League works with many groups that provide direct services to residents of Michigan, though we do not provide such services. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization and not affiliated with the state Department of Human Services.
I am expecting strong topics and critical articles from this blog, and it should be a wealth of good information about issues surrounding the state budget and the future of Michigan as a whole. Factually Speaking has an all-star cast of policy expert bloggers, including:
- Sharon Park, President and CEO with the Michigan League for Human Services
- Lawrence (Lary) O. Wells, Chief Operating Officer of the Michigan League for Human Services
- Jane Zehnder-Merrell, Director of Kids Count in Michigan and Senior Planning/Research Associate at the Michigan League for Human Services
- Judy Putnam, Communications Director for the League
- Karen Holcomb-Merrill, State Fiscal Project Director with the League
- Jan Hudson, healthcare policy analysis and advocacy specialist
- Peter Ruark, who analyses and gives presentations on workforce development, public assistance, family self-sufficiency, wage mobility and low-income tax credits.
- Jacqui Broughton, A planning/research Associate with the League
- Paul Diefenbach, Data Manager for the League
http://factuallyspeaking.wordpress.com/
Visit the Michigan League for Human Services website:
http://www.milhs.org/