Early On funding: Michigan adds $1.45 million, advocates want more
LANSING. Michigan's fiscal year 2027 budget adds $1.45 million for Early On, the state program that sends specialists into homes and childcare centers to help infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. That brings the program's budgeted total to $26.1 million.
Michigan spends about $879 per eligible child, compared to a national average of $2,000 to $4,000 as of 2023. Early On reaches just 4.4% of Michigan children age zero to three, even though federal data puts 15% of that age group as qualifying for services. Advocates put the real cost of maintaining current services at $259 million, and $334 million to actually meet the need.
The executive and Senate budgets both call for the $1.45 million increase. The House budget asks for $5 million instead.
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