Advocating for Michigan’s Out-of-School Time Funding
Michigan’s state budget is still being decided — and the future of public funding for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs is on the line. Now is a vital time to make your voice heard and show policymakers why these programs matter. Our advocacy tools are here to help you connect with your state legislators, share the impact of your work, and urge them to protect and expand funding for afterschool and summer programs. Every call, email, and story makes a difference.
We need you to act now.
Contact your State Representative and Senator today and urge them to include dedicated OST funding in the final FY25–26 state budget. Reach out to the Governor’s office as well—her leadership is critical in final budget negotiations. Encourage your board members, families, youth, and partners to speak out too. Use the sample messages, talking points, and fact sheets below to guide your outreach. You can also find all these tools in our Advocacy Toolkit.
Invite your policymakers and their staff to come visit your program. There’s no better way to showcase the power and value of afterschool than showing people firsthand. You do not need to get the Legislator there—having one of their staff join can be incredibly powerful.
Encourage Caregivers to Share Their Story
Below is a ready-to-print 4x6 postcard for you to distribute to caregivers in your program. It includes a clear call to action and easy steps they can take to speak up for the afterschool and summer learning programs their children rely on.
Caregivers: Your Voice Matters
Caregivers are some of the most powerful advocates. When you speak up, decision-makers listen. Use our sample letter template to share why your child’s program matters. A personal story or simple message can make a big impact.
We also encourage you to help elevate youth voices by inviting young people to share personal messages with lawmakers. Heartfelt letters from older youth and drawings or short notes from the younger ones can make a powerful impression. These expressions remind decision-makers that real young people are behind these programs and that their futures are directly impacted by funding decisions.