Detroit Free Press: U.S. lawmakers propose more funds for Flint kids

Michigan members of Congress announced Monday that they would be introducing bills to expand learning programs for Flint children who have been affected by the city’s water crisis.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich) announced the legislation while touring Hurley Medical Center in Flint on Monday.

“Flint’s children were exposed to contaminated water by no fault of their own,” Peters said. “I am proud to introduce this bill to help ensure they have the resources and support necessary to lead happy and healthy lives.”

The announcement follows another planned effort, just a few days earlier, to ask for $400 million in matching funds to help rebuild Flint’s damaged water infrastructure. That proposal may be a hard sell given that no hearings have yet been held on the Flint water crisis.

The bill proposed Monday is called the Children’s Head Start Intervention for Life and Development (CHILD) Act. It would allow for a one-time, non-renewable grant to help low-income children with health needs and school readiness as part of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Those efforts include child learning classes, healthy meals and developmental screenings.

Peters’ announcement did not name how much money would be allocated for those efforts. The senator said he will introduce the bill with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich). U.S. Representative Dan Kildee, whose district includes Flint, will introduce similar legislation in Congress.

“Every child deserves a chance at a bright future, and the children of Flint are no exception,” said Stabenow in a statement.

The announcement also follows the Michigan legislature’s $28 million emergency relief package to aid in the crisis, though those funds are designed to alleviate short-term needs.