Michigan Family Voices

02/02/2026

LIPA 2026 applications are now open!

The Leaders in Policy Advocacy (LIPA) 2026 program is now accepting applications!

LIPA is a six-month leadership program for adults with developmental disabilities and parents of minor children with developmental disabilities who want to better understand how systems work, learn how to influence change, and strengthen their advocacy skills.

LIPA helps participants move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling prepared and informed. Through hands-on learning, participants gain practical skills to understand policy, navigate systems, engage with decision-makers, and share their lived experiences clearly and effectively. As well as building a supportive community where participants learn alongside others who care about belonging, access, and making real change together.

💻Full details at https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/lipa/
🔗Apply at https://tinyurl.com/2026LIPA

Applications for this year’s program will be accepted February 1–28, 2026, with accepted participants being notified in early March.

01/22/2026

The Direct Care Worker Wage Coalition Needs Your Voice!

Direct Care Workers (DCWs) are essential to thousands of Michiganders—but wages tied to Medicaid funding haven’t kept up. Many DCWs earn very low pay, often without benefits, contributing to a 39% turnover rate. This creates instability for people with disabilities, families, and workers alike.

Your story has power—and can drive real change.

The DCW Wage Coalition is gathering stories to advocate for livable and sustainable Direct Care Worker wages.

Share how Michigan’s direct care workforce has made an impact on your life:

🔗 https://www.dcwmichigan.org/share-your-perspective

10/31/2025

📣Michigan Alliance for Families is hiring a Parent Mentor!

If you're in Genesee County and are interested in providing information, mentoring, and support to other families around special education issues, apply!

This is a full time position (36.5 hours) at $23 per hour.

09/17/2025

Action Alert!

Michigan lawmakers are considering a budget proposal that would devastate direct care agencies. Section 1033 of HB 4706 reduces agency reimbursement rates by $4.56 per hour—a 20% cut—while still requiring agencies to maintain the $3.40/hour raise for workers.

This impossible math will force agencies to slash services, close programs, and leave vulnerable families without support.

With one click, you can tell your lawmakers: protect funding for direct care workers and the agencies that employ them.

Send a letter by clicking on this link: https://bit.ly/4mogK1b

08/21/2025

Join Think Babies Michigan for a special Town Hall on Tuesday, August 26, 2025! Moderated by TBMI Parent Leader Rachelle McKissick-Harris, we’ll discuss how the latest policy and budget proposals coming out of D.C. and Lansing will impact our youngest children and their families.

TBMI will welcome special guests from U.S. Senator Gary Peters' office, the Michigan League for Public Policy, and Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health. Plus, we'll answer your questions along the way—so you walk away knowing exactly what you can do!

Register now: https://bit.ly/4oFZBlS

06/18/2025

Michiganders across the state rely on Medicaid for the care they need to live healthy lives. Join us at the Vigil to Protect MI Care on June 25 at 6 PM as we call on lawmakers to protect Medicaid – not cut it.

RSVP and make your voice heard: https://bit.ly/vigiltoprotectmicare

06/18/2025

Cutting Medicaid puts infants, toddlers, and young children at risk.

06/02/2025

Policy updates that affect you—register now - http://eepurl.com/jfVNIU

05/21/2025

All children must have access to the health care they need to grow and thrive. As Congress debates budget reconciliation measures, alarm bells should be

05/07/2025

MI SIBS invites you to a FREE Virtual Event on Tuesday, May 20 presented by Kaitlin McNamara, SLN Executive Director of the The Sibling Leadership Network to learn about the role of siblings and the history of the disability movement. Register here
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/laG80kKyT5Ss_acIlwONFA #/registration
Michigan Supporting and Including Brothers and Sisters (MI SIBS) is dedicated to providing adult siblings of individuals with disabilities with the information, resources, and support needed to advocate for their brothers and sisters, and to encourage leadership roles within the disability community.
To learn more about MI SIBS, visit our new website at www.thearcww.org/MISIBS
For further information, please contact us at sibs@misibs.org

05/07/2025

PROTECT MEDICAID 📢

JOIN US TODAY, STARTING AT 1PM as we unite caregivers, care recipients, and advocates for a powerful 24-hour Medicaid vigil at the U.S. Capitol! 🕯️

Medicaid is a crucial lifeline for millions of people and families. We can’t let Congress cut nearly a trillion dollars from Medicaid to extend tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.

That’s why all day and all night long we’ll be sharing stories from families across the country who rely on this lifesaving care and know exactly what’s at stake if these programs get cut. We’ll also be joined by elected officials, and leaders across the care movement.

Cuts to Medicaid aren’t just numbers—they’re lives. Tune in, speak out, and share your story! We must .

🎥 Watch the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/live/tBo00pL1wbE?feature=share

If you're interested in joining us in person, sign up here: https://go.caringacross.org/a/dc-medicaid-vigil?utm_campaign=protectmedicaid&utm_source=social&utm_medium=social&sourceid=1081242&fbclid=IwY2xjawKHbyFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0c3BTcURva3l5MTNTYzR2AR5F_bXAm9VxH-SYIlv-mcvdnAN1yfffvxvUacg_tH9fJxWJNMVvweFCuHrRMg_aem_XdLAmIORtyIboLz8QCQ75Q 💙

04/18/2025

Please join MDHHS Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health Policy and Supports and the Arc Michigan for an overview of proposed changes to the Children's Waiver Program.

There will be a short presentation followed by an opportunity for you to provide feedback.

April 28, Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TwFPAJFFQouw7cUePT5wUg

May 5, Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PS8rSPi0QvK4qaz_VpU6Zw

If you are unable to attend one of theses sessions, please use the link below to review the changes and submit feedback: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/mentalhealth/medwaivers/childrens-waiver-program

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services