Op-Ed: Vote ‘Yes’ for Leelanau County Early Childhood Development

By Maggie Sprattmoran

Op-Ed contributor

A powerful opportunity awaits Leelanau voters on Nov. 5. The Leelanau County Commission, in a bi-partisan vote, is offering voters the opportunity to make a significant difference for families raising young children and to entice young families to move to the County. Because, healthy resilient families are the backbone of a thriving community.

Why is this opportunity so significant? Contrary to appearances and conventional thought, science is clear that the most influential period in human life are the years before our children enter the school room door. By age five, 90% of brain architecture is developed. Isn’t that a stunning fact? Our development—physical, mental, social, emotional and academic—is shaped, quite literally, through our experiences in our first relationships and environments.

The well documented “rate of return” on services such as the millage will fund is up to $5.70 per dollar spent. As economist James Heckman insists: “Early childhood programs pay dividends for life.” There is no other period during which we have such an opportunity to strengthen lifelong outcomes; building healthy brains builds strong and resilient foundations for life! 

Parenting is one of the most challenging and impactful roles a person can experience. Despite our intentions and dreams for our families, life happens. Conditions, often beyond our control, throw curveballs that demand our attention and often diminish our energy, dreams and intentions in the face of the current reality. At every other period of child rearing, we, and our children, are supported by publicly availably supports—such as the K-12 school system. And yet, in the early childhood years, the single most important period for healthy development and lifelong resilience, we have no ready access to thought partners, people who understand child development and parenting or trustworthy information. We can right this omission on Nov. 5 with a yes vote for the Leelanau County Early Childhood Development Millage.

The millage funding plan is to provide services that have been enjoyed and approved by parents in Leelanau County, and demonstrated by research, to help parents feel more confident, supported and capable in the often challenging, rewarding and so important job of raising young children. Services will include: 

• Weekly playgroups at locations across the County. Playgroup themes are designed to enhance one or more areas of development. Playgroups will accommodate various parent schedules. In playgroups, parents observe other parents, build relationships, let their children play in a prepared and safe setting, and engage in social conversations relevant to their interests. Children play and learn among a group of peers. Parents and children alike repeatedly rate playgroups as one of their favorite family activities each week, while researchers rate them as a key component in supporting family well-being.

• Improved access to health resources. Mental and dental health services will be bolstered with millage funding, and parents will have assistance locating and accessing the resources that they seek in order to best support their family. Many Leelanau parents report that they struggle to access the information, services and supports they seek to strengthen their families. Parents will be able to connect with their playgroup leader, home visitor or other staff member for help in making these connections.

• Home visits are available for any interested family. Home visitors will work with parents to determine the kind of support they would like to receive. Home visits are scheduled at the frequency and timing that best suits the family. Participating parents largely report that they feel supported by their home visitor and that they are able to work through and/or understand the questions and issues they face. Research on home visiting is abundant and clear that it offers parents unparalleled support and serves to strengthen family wellness

• Parent programs are offered throughout the County and designed to offer parents a forum to discuss topics of interest. Parents work with the staff to determine the topics and design of the programs. Parents who participate in parent programs generally describe that they learn important and helpful information by interacting with other parents in the supported sessions. 

All services are voluntary and open to any Leelanau family with young children at no charge.

It has been asked why no center-based preschool services are included in this plan. County millage funds are prohibited, by State law, from paying for ‘educational’ programming. Pre-school and child care have been determined to fall into the ‘education’ category. While improving access to high quality preschool and childcare is certainly a need in our County, a County millage mechanism cannot address that need. A group of concerned citizens is working with legislators on this issue. In the meantime, the rise in interest and support for the services the millage will fund has increased and we are excited to be in the brink of a sustainable high-quality system of support for Leelanau families with young children.

Rest assured that supporting the millage will be a great financial, social and ethical benefit to our beloved Leelanau County.

Join me in voting ‘Yes’ on November 5.

Maggie Sprattmoran is a mental health consultant and early childhood specialist. She served for 30 years as executive director of the Leelanau Children’s Center and Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council.

Supporting Early Childhood Programs and Services in Leelanau County

On Wednesday Oct. 2, at 7 pm at the Suttons Bay High School Auditorium the League of Women Voters Leelanau County will host a public forum entitled Supporting Early Childhood Programs and Services in Leelanau County. Maggie Sprattmoran, private consultant providing support services to families with young children and child care professionals, former director of the Leelanau Children’s Center and Parenting Communities and past president of the MI Association for Infant Mental Health will speak to what needs attention in our community on the early childhood front. Members of the LWVLC Early Childhood Needs and Services Committee Members will provide information about the November 5 Early Childhood Services Millage and lead a Q&A.  All are welcome. The event is free.