Improving Outcomes for Out-of-School Youth in Michigan

About this grant

In mid-2006, the state of Michigan approved measures to increase the graduation requirements for students to support workforce needs. Under these requirements, the challenge for the state is to create a balanced approach for making high school more demanding, while at the same time promoting efforts and specialized opportunities for out-of-school youth and students at the margins to earn a diploma.This grant will enable Voices for Michigan’s Children (VMC) to promote the development of local and state systems to track and serve out of-school and underserved youth. Specifically, VMC will analyze policy and resource barriers; mobilize key state-level stakeholders; build public will for policies and investments; and provide policy and advocacy support to a limited number of sites interested in improving supports and outcomes for out-of-school youth in their communities.VMC works with policymakers, communities and the public to improve the quality of life for children and their families and to ensure that every child in Michigan has an opportunity to become a healthy, productive and responsible adult.