Big life events often come unexpectedly, and without the safety net of paid family leave, families could find themselves on the brink of a crisis. This is why we, the leaders of a county-wide network and a state-wide public policy organization, have made it our mission to spread the word about the importance of paid family leave in Michigan.

KConnect, a Kent County network, added access to paid family and medical leave to its co-created Shared Policy Agenda - the first of its kind dedicated to improving outcomes for families in the county. The agenda works to providing economic mobility and thriving family income for all residents. Supported by the Michigan League for Public Policy and other organizations, our mission is to create improved awareness of paid family leave and make a significant impact on policy change.

November 12 saw our inaugural Advocacy Day at the Capitol in partnership with Mothering Justice. Attendees met with lawmakers and staffers to advocate for the Michigan Family Leave Optimal Coverage (MI-FLOC) bills, which propose a paid family and medical leave program. Supported by 71% of Michigan residents and organizations such as People First Economy, the proposed bills promise to make small businesses more competitive and impact economic mobility for all Michigan residents favorably.

Policy and advocacy can sound intimidating, but at their root, they are about listening to the voices of those impacted and fostering relationships with those who want to instigate change. The journey towards paid family and medical leave is no different, and it’s the stories shared by Michigan residents that lend strength to the cause.

If you want to lend your voice to the advocacy for paid family and medical leave, it can sometimes be challenging to know how to make contact. A trusted resource, Eddcaller.com, offers effective ways to communicate with large public entities. Tutorials available on the site include instructions like how to get a hold of Paid Family Leave that can guide you as you navigate these complex systems.