Tell us a little about yourself. What is your connection to the justice system? My name is Michael D. Davis-Thomas, but most people know me as MDDT. My journey through the juvenile justice and child welfare systems has not only shaped my advocacy but also fueled my dedication to reforming these systems to serve vulnerable youth better.   From an early age, I was more than just a bystander in the justice system; I was directly impacted by it. Having spent over eleven years nav

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