Pictured above (L-R): Rep. Brenda Clack (accepting for Rep. Dianne Byrum); Sen. Martha Scott, Grenaé Dudley, Executive Director, Mayor's Time-Detroit; Sen. Bob Emerson and Sen. Mark Schauer.

Lawmakers honored for work by MASP

The Michigan After-School Partnership (MASP) hosted a Legislative Reception/Award Ceremony on Wednesday, November 29, 2006, in Lansing.  Mary Sutton, MASP Executive Director, served as emcee for the event and shared the history of the Partnership, a few highlights from its annual report and compelling information from recently-released national poll on after-school. 

A link to an additional picture is below.  Pictured are (L-R): Lynn Heemstra, Administrator, Grand Rapids Office of Children, Youth and Families; Rep. Jerry Kooiman; Sen. Bill Hardiman; and Rep. Tom Pearce (accepting for former Rep. Doug Hart).

History
The Michigan After-School Initiative (MASI) Task Force prepared a report to the legislature and the Governor in December 2003 with "a plan to ensure quality after-school programs for every school-age child in the state."  Legislation in September 2004 created the Michigan After-School Partnership to carry forward this goal and other recommendations set forth in the initiative's report. 

Legislature mandated that the Michigan After-School Partnership co-chaired by the Michigan Department of Human Services and the Michigan Department of Education, expand beyond the membership of the initial Michigan After-School initiative to increase the representation of parents, youth, foundations, employers, and other with experience in education, child care, after-school and youth development services, and crime and violence prevention and include representation from the Michigan Department of Community Health.  Each year, on or before December 31, the Michigan After-School Partnership reports its progress in reaching the recommendations set forth in the Michigan After-School Initiative's Report to the Legislature and the Governor. 

Vision Statement 
"All Michigan Children and youth will have the opportunity to participate in high-quality after-school programs that support their success through social, cultural, physical and intellectual development." 

Mission Statement
"The Michigan After-School Partnership provides statewide leadership to build and sustain high-quality after-school programs for children and youth in all communities throughout the State." 

Goals
The five goals identified in the 2003 MASI Report

1. Reinforce and extend existing public policy support for after-school programs. 
2. Develop state structures and policies that support quality after-school programming. 
3. Identify and facilitate access to sustainable funding mechanisms for existing after-school programs. 
4. Ensure that all school-age Michigan children and youth have access to a variety of quality after-school programs that enhance physical, social and emotional and cognitive development. 
5. Alleviate the after-school child care burdens of working parents and caregivers. 

Funding
The Michigan After-School Partnership received financial support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Michigan Department of Human Services, and the Michigan Department of Education. 

Resources/Related Information

• The Michigan After-School Partnership Post Card
• The Michigan After-School Fact Sheet

Contact Information
Mary Sutton, Executive Director                 (517) 371-4360 x.17
Erin Luchenbill, Communications Assistant (517) 371-4360 x.10