Speaking for Kids, the podcast from Michigan’s Children

About Speaking for Kids, the podcast from Michigan’s Children

Each month, Speaking for Kids the podcast will bring you a variety of crucial conversations with people making public policy – and the voices of the people impacted by those decisions in Michigan. Our goal will be to help you strengthen your voice to speak up for the changes we need to improve Michigan’s kids' & families' lives. In this and future podcasts, we’ll explore encouraging champions like you to get involved in the issues we’re fighting for. Including child care, early childhood education and development, the child welfare and foster care systems, family supports and kinship care, family supports, the needs of adult learners & family literacy, youths involved in the juvenile justice system, and more.

Publisher

Michigan's Children

Category

government · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2021

Latest episode

22 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

50 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Oct 2026

   Extended Services: A pilot project to see how increased service duration improves outcomes for youth who have runaway or are experiencing homelessness.

   In this episode of Speaking for Kids, we explore an innovative pilot project examining whether providing longer-term services can improve outcomes for young people who have run away or are experiencing homelessness. Hosted by Pam Cornell-Allen, Policy & Program Consultant at Michigan’s Children, the conversation features Rita McCann of Staircase Youth Services, Ben Moe of Dochas Youth Services, and Jonathan Jaber of Ozone House. Together, they discuss the challenges youth experiencing housing instability face, why additional time and sustained support can make a difference, and what this pilot could teach Michigan about better serving young people and families.

2. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Immigration & Kids: Two new reports show immigration policies are making Michigan less safe for kids

   In this episode of Speaking for Kids, we explore how current federal immigration policies are affecting Michigan's youngest children and the caregivers who support them every day. Joined by experts from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), we discuss new research highlighting the impact of immigration enforcement on early childhood development, access to health care and public benefits, and the well-being of immigrant families. The conversation also examines how fear of immigration enforcement is creating barriers to essential services, the long-term effects of toxic stress on young children, and what policymakers, advocates, and communities can do to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy, safe, and supported.

3. 

   2 Jul 2026

   Best Father's Day Gift for Dads: Help finding resources

   In this episode of Speaking for Kids, Michigan’s Children celebrates fatherhood with special guest John Miles, Coordinator of the Wayne County Fatherhood Initiative at The Children's Center, recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award, and father of Michigan’s Children’s Child Welfare & Education Policy Associate, Bianca Miles. Together, they discuss why one of the best Father's Day gifts we can give dads is better access to resources and support. The conversation explores the stigma many fathers face when asking for help, the importance of creating programs designed specifically for men, and how investing in fathers ultimately strengthens children, families, and communities.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,272

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

19

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

76

Contact Speaking for Kids, the podcast from Michigan’s Children

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.