August 14, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – From literacy nights and family playgroups to library pop-ups, educator trainings, and local storytelling events, literacy efforts are expanding across every region of Michigan as schools, families, community organizations, and early childhood leaders work together to help more children succeed.
As part of this work, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s (MiLEAP) MiFamily Engagement Centers are helping lead family engagement and literacy efforts statewide by connecting schools, families, libraries, early childhood providers, and local organizations with evidence-based literacy resources and supports.
"Literacy is one of the most powerful tools we can give chldren and families," said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, executive director of MiLEAP. "Across Michigan, communities are working together to strengthen reading, support families, and create opportunities for children to thrive from birth through adulthood. Thanks to continued investments from our governor and legislature in the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) bipartisan state budget, we are strengthening that work through partnerships and supports that help more children become confident readers and lifelong learners."
Through a network of 10 regional centers serving every part of the state, MiFamily Engagement Centers help children and families build literacy skills from early childhood through K-12 by supporting school readiness, strengthening transitions between developmental stages, and connecting communities with evidence-based literacy resources.
Across the state, the centers are bringing that work to life through family literacy nights, library partnerships, playgroups, community storytelling events, educator trainings, and other locally developed programs. The centers also provide professional learning aligned with Michigan’s Essential Instructional Practices, helping educators and community partners create meaningful literacy experiences for children both in and out of the classroom.
“Literacy growth happens when schools, families and community partners work together to support children’s learning,” said Rawlan Lillard II, MiLEAP deputy director overseeing the Office of Education Partnerships. “Through the MiFamily Engagement Centers, we are strengthening connections between educators, families, libraries, and local organizations so that children have consistent opportunities to build literacy skills both in and out of the classroom. These partnerships help create a stronger, more coordinated system of support that benefits students at every stage of their educational journey.”
These efforts directly support Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Every Child Reads initiative, which aims to ensure every child in Michigan can read proficiently and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success. The recently passed FY27 state budget reinforces that commitment through more than $500 million in literacy and student achievement investments, including expanded access to free pre-K, high-impact tutoring, literacy grants for school districts, continued science of reading training for educators, additional regional literacy coaches, and ongoing support for family engagement and early learning partnerships.
MiLEAP continues to support statewide literacy advancement through partnerships with Intermediate School Districts, community organizations, early childhood providers, and regional coalitions focused on strengthening access to learning opportunities and family-centered supports.
“Governor Whitmer’s Every Child Reads initiative recognizes that literacy development begins long before a child enters kindergarten,” said Emily Laidlaw, MiLEAP deputy director overseeing the Office of Early Education. “Families, caregivers, educators, libraries, and community partners all play an important role in helping children build the language, literacy, and communication skills they need to become strong readers and lifelong learners. Across Michigan, communities are creating welcoming, engaging opportunities that help make literacy part of everyday life.”
“Strong literacy outcomes begin with strong family engagement and meaningful community partnerships,” said Maggie Dwan, MiFamily Engagement coordinator for Region 5 in Mid-Michigan. “Across Mid-Michigan, trusted community partners are helping families access books, literacy resources, and early learning supports that strengthen relationships, build confidence, and help children thrive in school and beyond.”
“A literacy training in my region gave me practical strategies I could use right away with children and families,” said Molly Yuhanna, an early childhood educator from Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District Early On, who attended a recent literacy training. “It was valuable to connect with other educators in Mid-Michigan and learn new ways to make literacy activities more engaging and accessible for families.”
Regional literacy and family engagement efforts include:
• Region 1 (Upper Peninsula): All seven Upper Peninsula ISDs supported schoolwide literacy events, STEM nights, and family literacy workshops. Region 1 is addressing chronic absenteeism through Safe & Civil Schools training while expanding educator professional development and mini-grant opportunities to strengthen family engagement and literacy systems.
• Region 2 (Northwest Michigan): Region 2 launched partnerships with local libraries and playgroups to model evidence-based literacy practices and strengthen home literacy environments. “Make and Take” events, Family Fun Days, and mini-grant funding continue expanding access to trusted community literacy supports.
• Region 3 (Northeast Michigan): Ready to Read Spaces are being added in community locations to provide books and literacy resources where families already gather. Literacy packets and summer learning events are helping families support reading and school readiness at home.
• Region 4 (West Michigan): Region 4 convenes an Early Literacy Workgroup connecting educators and community partners across 12 counties. Partnerships with organizations including WGVU Public Media and United Way of Northwest Michigan are expanding literacy trainings, storytelling projects, and community-wide reading events.
• Region 5 (Mid-Michigan): MiFamily Libraries have been established in trusted community locations including health centers, pediatric offices, libraries, and recovery networks. More than $25,000 has been invested in local literacy partnerships, while regional events and literacy training continue promoting literacy through family-centered engagement.
• Region 6 (East Central Michigan): Mini-grants are supporting literacy nights, educator training, and literacy-based family playgroups across multiple counties. More than 1,500 community members attended countywide literacy nights in Sanilac County focused on family learning and engagement.
• Region 7 (Capital Region): Regional partners updated Kindergarten Readiness Toolkits and hosted a statewide literacy conference at Michigan State University attended by more than 200 educators and literacy leaders. Community partnerships are also supporting violence prevention and broader family engagement initiatives.
• Region 8 (Southwest Michigan): The region expanded Talking is Teaching materials and translated literacy resources into multiple languages to better support families across the region. More than 1,300 families have participated in literacy engagement activities since January 2026.
• Region 9 (South Central Michigan): Parent Cafés are creating welcoming spaces for families to strengthen literacy learning and school partnerships. A new Family Engagement Literacy Coach position and upcoming literacy mini-grants will support sustainable, family-centered literacy strategies.
• Region 10 (Southeast Michigan): Regional literacy initiatives have reached hundreds of families through literacy events, educator trainings, and community partnerships. This summer, Lit Lab Library Pop-Ups at the Detroit Main Library will provide STEM activities, books, writing stations, and family learning guides.
"Early literacy is at the heart of all of these amazing programs," said St. Clair parent Maddie Dombrow, a regular attendee of the literacy-based family playgroups and other literacy activities in Region 6 for the past three years with her daughters, Blake, 3 ½, and Blaire, 1 ½. "Over the past several years, they have helped foster my daughters’ love of books and learning. The free books we’ve received have become family favorites, and my daughter can now recite many of them from memory. These programs have also provided valuable resources and practical ideas for incorporating literacy into our daily routines. I am so grateful for the support, encouragement, and opportunities they provide to help make learning meaningful and enjoyable for our family."
Together, these coordinated efforts reflect Michigan's continued investment in ensuring every child has access to strong early learning opportunities, supportive family engagement, and evidence-based literacy experiences that help them become confident readers, writers, and communicators. By working together, communities across Michigan are advancing the goal of Governor Whitmer's Every Child Reads initiative and helping children build the foundation for success in school, career, and life.
To learn more about Michigan’s literacy and early childhood initiatives and get connected with an event in your community, visit MiLEAP’s MiFamily Engagement Regional Centers webpage.
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About MiLEAP:
Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from birth to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.
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