More Than 1 Million Family Connections, 108,000 Youth Served Through Michigan Education Partnerships

New report from MiLEAP’s Office of Education Partnerships details work across family engagement, out-of-school time, camps, education and workforce pathways 

LANSING, Mich. – Partnerships across Michigan are helping families, educators, schools and communities expand learning opportunities and improve outcomes for children and youth, according to a new report from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s (MiLEAP) Office of Education Partnerships (OEP). 

The OEP Vision & Impact Report 2026 highlights the state’s work to strengthen family engagement, expand learning beyond the school day, support safe camp settings and build education and workforce pathways. MiLEAP is also releasing a revised edition of the MiFamily: Michigan’s Family Engagement Framework, which provides guidance for building meaningful partnerships with families throughout a learner’s educational journey. 

“Every learner’s success is shaped by the relationships and opportunities that surround them,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, executive director of MiLEAP. “Through partnerships across Michigan, we are working to create stronger connections throughout the education system. This work helps ensure families have a voice, children have opportunities to learn and grow and communities have the support they need to help every learner thrive.” 

The report outlines OEP’s work across four pillars: families as partners, learning beyond the school day, safe places to learn and grow, and workforce and systems alignment.  

Key highlights include: 

•  More than 1.09 million family connections reported by Michigan’s 10 MiFamily Engagement Centers, which help strengthen partnerships between families, schools, and community to support children’s learning from birth through postsecondary.

• 108,966 children and youth served through out-of-school time programming across 69 Michigan counties, expanding access to learning and enrichment before and after school, and during the summer.

• More than $73 million distributed through the state-funded Out-of-School Time Grants Program in fiscal year 2025-26 to support community-based programs.

• More than 1,000 active children’s camp licenses in 2026, reflecting OEP’s work to support camp providers and maintain safe environments for children.

• 151 Education and Training career and technical education programs in 2024-25, creating pathways into careers serving children and youth. The number of programs has grown more than 160% since 2019-20. 

Strengthening family engagement across Michigan 

The revised MiFamily: Michigan’s Family Engagement Framework gives family-facing professionals a shared foundation for building partnerships with families across early learning, K-12 education, out-of-school time programming and postsecondary planning. 

OEP began revising the framework in summer 2025 with input from families, educators, providers and community partners. Nearly 200 participants from 55 counties reviewed an early draft through statewide focus groups, helping shape the framework’s updated definition, foundations and recommended practices. 

MiLEAP defines family engagement as a partnership among families, students, educators and community partners built on trust, respect and common goals so that every learner thrives. 

The framework establishes five foundations for effective family engagement: 

1. Relationships are the cornerstone of family engagement.
   
   
2. Family engagement efforts are purposeful, intentional and clearly identify learner outcomes.
   
   
3. Families are engaged and supported partners in their child’s education.
   
   
4. Positive learning environments contribute to family engagement and learning.
   
   
5. Family engagement efforts are tailored to address all families, so all learners are successful. 

“Families bring essential knowledge about their children, their experiences and their communities,” said Rawlan Lillard II, deputy director of MiLEAP’s Office of Education Partnerships. “The MiFamily Framework gives professionals practical guidance for building relationships with families, listening to their perspectives and working together to support learners.” 

Connecting Learning Beyond the Classroom 

OEP’s work extends across the settings and systems that shape a learner’s experience, from early childhood and school-day learning to community programs and career pathways. 

The report also identifies areas where continued investment and coordination are needed. Demand for out-of-school time grants continues to exceed available resources, regional family engagement partnerships need sustained support and education workforce pathways require continued coordination among schools, postsecondary institutions and employers. 

The report underscores the importance of sustained investment and coordination to expand learning opportunities and strengthen outcomes for Michigan’s children, youth and families. 

Links: 

• Read the OEP Vision & Impact Report 2026. 

• Read the MiFamily: Michigan’s Family Engagement Framework. 

• Learn more about the Office of Education Partnerships. 

### 

About MiLEAP: 

Established by Gov. Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP ensures every Michigander has a path to prosperity from birth to earning a postsecondary credential that leads to high-wage careers. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.