11/04/2025

GOGEBIC COUNTY - Gogebic Ontonagon County Head Start, serving low-income families with three- and four-year-olds, has temporarily closed due to the government shutdown. Director Renee Pertile says the shutdown prevents grant processing, delaying November 1st funding needed for staff and operations. The program, which offers meals, school readiness, family support, and health services, impacts dozens of Western U.P. families. Pertile’s team is connecting families with other resources, and a church is fundraising. Reopening may be delayed even after the shutdown due to continued grant processing issues. Families will be updated and won’t need to re-enroll.

11/04/2025

MICHIGAN - Michigan’s child poverty rate has climbed to 10-percent, according to a new report – and it suggests that without the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, it would rise to 13-percent. The Annie E. Casey Foundation report – called "Measuring Access to Opportunity in the United States" – says programs like federal food assistance and tax credits have been vital lifelines for families, helping to prevent even deeper hardship across the state. Anne Kuhnen is Kids Count policy director for the Michigan League for Public Policy.

                    0:13  "It certainly shows that with a lot of these policy choices that we have, that can have a real impact on child poverty. Child poverty declines when families have access to the resources that they need."

The report uses what’s known as the Supplemental Poverty Measure, or S-P-M. Advocates say it's a more realistic look at what families actually face. It factors in child care, housing and medical costs, and adjusts for living expenses that vary across the country.

11/04/2025

LAC DU FLAMBEAU – Due to the Government Shutdown and FoodShare benefits not being issued for November, the Lac Du Flambeau Economic Support/TANF Program is offering temporary, limited food assistance for Foodshare and TANF eligible households in Iron, Vilas or Oneida Counties for tribal members.  Some Eligibility requirements do apply.  Eligible households will receive a $100 food voucher per eligible household member redeemable at the Ojibwe Market.  Those receiving food benefits must use the food voucher in its entirety on the day of issuance.