By: Jason Smith, Executive Director In a landmark move, Michigan has become the first state in the nation  to officially acknowledge kinship caregivers with the same level of financial assistance and licensing requirements as traditional foster care providers. This pioneering reform aims to simplify the process for kin caregivers, allowing them to more readily obtain the aid necessary to support the children in their care. Such measures are especially crucial for those childr

This month’s Board Member Spotlight  features Dave Bartek, who currently serves as an independent consultant in both the nonprofit and private sectors. This allows him to share his long and deep experience in leadership, employee engagement, strategic development, and business planning, along with team and individual coaching.  Dave has held multiple and varied leadership positions over the last 25 years, coaching and mentoring on the finer points of leadership style and appr

By: Denita Dorsey, Outreach and Advocacy Manager As I navigate this role as Outreach and Advocacy Manager, I reflect on the significance of this opportunity and its responsibility. Working in the realm of juvenile justice is not merely about implementing policies; it's about upholding core values that prioritize the well-being and rights of our youth and their families. First and foremost, let’s address the term “core values.” Core values to MCYJ are the fundamental beliefs a