This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Michigan’s first ever parents' council to formally bring parents into the education budget process.
Each of the 11 appointees have been tasked with hosting round tables in their region, where parents can share input on education.
Appointee Bailey Nuss, of Traverse City, is the Northwest region impact director for United Way, and a parent of two boys.
“I'm really hopeful that we have a lot of discussions, we bring in a lot of the voices from parents throughout the state, and that hopefully all of these issues can get put in front of the governor,” Nuss said.
Appointees include parents with children in public, private, and home school learning environments. Nuss said her experiences as a single parent offer a unique perspective on the council.
“I feel like Youth Mental Health is a really important piece right now across our country because of the pandemic,” she said. “It's one that if we don't seriously address, that we'll be facing the repercussions of in 10-15 years if not sooner.”
Nuss said rural areas in Michigan are lacking counselors that could help improve youth mental health. She hopes the council can spearhead legislative changes to benefit all Michiganders.
The new council will meet for the first time on Tuesday, September 20.
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