October 19, 2026
WHEREAS, nearly 100,000 babies enter the world in Michigan each year, each deserving relationships, communities, and systems that support their extraordinary potential to thrive; and,
WHEREAS, nurturing, secure, and responsive early relationships provide the foundation for lifelong mental, emotional, developmental, and physical well-being, and every baby, toddler, and young child deserves consistent care, protection and the support to thrive; and,
WHEREAS, supporting parents and caregivers from pregnancy through early childhood strengthens these relationships and the well-being of entire families; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan is dedicated to promoting perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental health, healthy social and emotional development, and equitable access to high-quality, culturally responsive services; and,
WHEREAS, meaningful progress requires addressing disparities and centering families’ voices, experiences, and expertise in the policies, programs, and systems intended to support them; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s first statewide Perinatal, Infant, and Early Childhood Mental Health Strategic Plan creates an opportunity to establish shared priorities and policies, strengthen cross-system coordination, and guide collective action and sustained investment; and,
WHEREAS, state leaders and policymakers continue this work through strategic public investment, policies that strengthen a diverse workforce, and collaboration with the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation; and,
WHEREAS, Think Babies Michigan is a statewide coalition of thousands of families, early childhood providers, researchers, and advocates advancing policies and investments to make Michigan a top state in which to have and raise a baby; and,
WHEREAS, Celebrate Babies Week began in Michigan and now brings communities together across the nation and beyond to celebrate babies, families, caregivers, and professionals; elevate family voices; and inspire awareness, action, and investment;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 19–23, 2026, as Celebrate Babies Week in Michigan for the seventh consecutive year and call upon Michigan residents, communities, organizations, and policymakers to visit www.celebratebabiesweek.org to participate in Celebrate Babies Week to help elevate babies, early relationships, families, caregivers, and the professionals who support them.
