The grant will support MPHI’s Center for Quality Family Support in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging within the team.

Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI) announced that it has been awarded $10,000 from Parents as Teachers National Center for its Family Challenge Grant. These Challenge Grants are part of the Parents as Teachers (PAT) Investing in the Power of Families Initiative, which strives to support PAT home visiting programs in increasing enrollment in home visiting, increasing direct services of needed mental and physical health supports to families, and growing opportunities within communities that can lead to systemic positive changes through engaged parent leaders.

The Center for Quality Family Support, which includes the PAT Michigan State Office, will use these funds to advance progress in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) within the team. A consulting firm will be hired to evaluate and increase the focus on DEIB, foster growth for the team, and help them further develop an Equity Plan.

 "We are honored and grateful to receive this grant from Parents as Teachers National Center, which will help us strengthen our commitment to DEIB and enhance our capacity to serve families and communities in Michigan," said Dr. Renée Branch Canady, CEO of MPHI. "We believe that investing in the power of families is essential for creating a healthier and more equitable society."

The grant is part of the $1.75 million that Parents as Teachers National Center awarded to 40 home-visiting organizations nationwide, marking the beginning of their 40th anniversary with their "Investing in the Power of Families" initiative. 

"Parents as Teachers is proud to partner with MPHI and support their efforts to promote DEIB within their team and their community," said Constance Gully, President and CEO of Parents as Teachers National Center. "We believe that home visiting is a powerful tool for empowering families and transforming lives, and we are excited to celebrate our 40th anniversary by investing in the power of families."

Parents as Teachers is the nation's premier home-visiting program, serving more than 200,000 families annually in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six tribal organizations, and six other countries. The program provides parents with child development knowledge and parenting support, helps them detect developmental delays and health issues, prevents child abuse and neglect, and increases children's school readiness.

The Center for Quality Family Support is one of the multiple centers within MPHI. It provides leadership, training, technical assistance, and evaluation for home visiting and other family support programs in Michigan and beyond. MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged non-profit public health institute. Its mission is Working Together to Center Equity, Promote Health, and Advance Well-being. 

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ABOUT MPHI
MPHI is a Michigan based, nationally engaged nonprofit public health institute leading public health efforts with a mission of working together to center equity, promote health and advance well-being. Our broad network of partners includes academia, government, community-based organizations, and healthcare providers. These connections empower us to develop solutions to a wide range of challenges. Learn more about our work by visiting www.MPHI.org.