Midland Daily News: McDonald Rivet announces efforts to support child care, education
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet announced federal funding requests aimed at supporting mid-Michigan families through investments in child care, community safety, and workforce development.
Standing outside Hemlock Elementary and the Early Childhood Center, McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) joined parents and school officials on Monday, June 16 to highlight how the proposed funding would ease the burden on working families and expand opportunities for children across the region.
“Child care across Michigan is becoming harder and harder to find,” McDonald Rivet said at the event. “We’ve lost 40% of our capacity in the last decade. What is available is often unaffordable.”
Among her top funding priorities is a proposal to help Hemlock Public Schools expand its Early Childhood Center, increasing access for local families and reducing long waitlists.
“This request is part of a larger package I’ve submitted to support children throughout mid-Michigan,” she said. “Taken together, these investments can create a brighter future for the next generation—hopefully one that’s built right here, in our communities.”
According to a press release, the proposals are part of McDonald Rivet’s Community Project Funding Initiative for Fiscal Year 2026 federal appropriations. They include:
- Hemlock Public School District: Funding to expand the Early Childhood Center, which serves an underserved area by providing child care and preschool education.
“We need to recognize that child care isn’t just a convenience, it’s essential infrastructure for working families, for our economy, and for the healthy development of our children,” said Lindsay Kerry, a Hemlock mother of three. “I want to thank Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet for supporting the Hemlock Early Childhood Center, which will continue to help my family and so many like us.”
Cory Snider, principal of Hemlock Elementary and the Early Childhood Center, echoed that sentiment: “Having the opportunity to expand and serve more families, serve our broader community, to be able to give them quality child care, is something that we’re very passionate about here. We’re excited about what’s ahead and deeply grateful for the support.”
- Saginaw HELP Community Violence Intervention Program: Funding to curb gun violence, support victims, and encourage collaborative public safety initiatives.
“Preventing needless deaths to gun violence starts by bringing people together,” said Pastor Kareem J. Bowen, CEO of the HELP Community Violence Intervention Program. “The funding we seek would help us build mentorship programs, support youth engagement, and promote community-oriented policing. We’re grateful to Congresswoman McDonald Rivet for fighting for these resources.”
- Flint Community Schools: Funding to renovate and repurpose the former Flint Central High School into a state-of-the-art, career-focused high school.
“This project isn’t just investing in a school, it’s investing in our future,” said Flint Community Schools Superintendent Kevelin Jones. “By converting Flint Central into a new, career-focused school, we can set the next generation up for success and strengthen our local economy and community.”