United Way of South Central Michigan applauds the Michigan Legislature and Governor Whitmer for successfully negotiating a final state budget deal that included many wins for our region and the work we do to support ALICE and the families we serve. Some highlights of the budget allocations that will benefit our community include:
- $50 million for the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund (MHCDF)
- $3.3 million for Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) program funding
- $2.5 million for Children’s Savings Account (CSA) infrastructure and programs
- $2.95 million for 211 (waiting for confirmation)
- $50 million for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship for recent graduates
- $10 million to incentivize FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion
- $2.5 additional funding for the Tuition Incentive Program, a scholarship for Medicaid eligible students
- $65 Million for the Michigan Reconnect Scholarship for adults who have not completed a degree or credential.
The UWSCMI staff team met and communicated with local legislators throughout the appropriations process to advocate for funding to help address financial instability and the inequities experienced among ALICE and other marginalized populations.
For more information about UWSCMI’s Continuum of Care, VITA, and College Access programs whose clients will benefit from this state funding, please visit www.unitedforscmi.org.