The funding cuts disrupt infrastructure that Governor Gretchen Whitmer had positioned as central to expanding access to publicly funded pre-K. The decision reflects a political disagreement between Democrats and Republicans over the scope of state early childhood programs, with education leaders warning the cuts will leave families unaware of available services.
Michigan’s state budget eliminated $19.4 million in annual funding for Great Start Collaboratives, regional programs that have connected families with child development resources and child-care information for nearly 20 years. The cut also removed $4 million for book distribution efforts, forcing some communities to close their programs entirely and others to reduce services sharply.
The funding cuts represent a political disagreement over early childhood programs. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Democratic-controlled Senate proposed continuing the funding during budget talks, while the GOP-led House recommended rolling the funds into per-pupil payments for intermediate school districts. Neither proposal prevailed.
Communities Close Services
At least six communities have announced program reductions or closures. Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District ended its Great Start Collaborative services in December 2025. Great Start Collaborative in Kent County announced on January 15 that it would end services at month’s end. Allegan and Copper Country also announced closings. Clinton County reduced family liaison staffing from 1.66 full-time equivalent employees to one and will continue through June. Calhoun County still operates with funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation but will limit home visits outside of Battle Creek.
Robin Hornkohl, Great Start Collaborative coordinator at Northwest Education Services, which works with families across five northern Michigan counties, said the organization was “completely blindsided” by the budget cut in October 2025. “This is infrastructure that’s been in place for nearly 20 years in our state,” Hornkohl said.
Debate Over Government’s Role
Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw, stated he does not support restoring the funding. “We don’t need to be getting into (the) cradle with government programs,” Kelly said.
Matt Gillard, president and CEO of Michigan’s Children, a public policy group, expressed concern that without the collaboratives, families will be unaware that available services exist. “The concern is that these programs are going to be out there but families don’t know they exist,” Gillard said.
Enrollment Grows Despite Collaborative Cuts
About 51,000 students are enrolled in the Great Start Readiness Program, Michigan’s free pre-K program. That enrollment is a new high but still lower than the state’s goal to serve 75% of 4-year-olds with some form of publicly funded programs by 2027.
The state budget includes other early childhood investments: $638.2 million for the state’s pre-K program for 4-year-olds, $18 million for pre-K transportation costs, $25 million for a pre-K program for 3-year-olds, and $23.6 million for Early On services, which provide support for infants through age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities.
Senator Darrin Camilleri, D-Brownstown Township, said the state’s commitment to early childhood education remains firm despite the Great Start cuts. “My office will be advocating to restore that funding during upcoming negotiations,” Camilleri said.