Michael Petit
Michael Petit President
Every Child Matters Education Fund and Vote Kids
Michael Petit founded the Every Child Matters Education Fund in 2002 with the mission of making new public investments in children and families a political priority. His strategy focuses on finding that one vote greater than 50 percent, reasoning that that is the only thing really necessary to create a political movement for kids. There is evidence that a strategy of supporting investments in children can make the difference between winning and losing elections, a situation that Every Child Matters seeks to capitalize on. Every Child Matters builds state databases containing child-serving organizations and individuals, allowing direct communication with voters who can be mobilized on behalf of children. This provides a vehicle for children and families to promote their fuller representation in the democratic process. Michael believes that when the nation adopts smart policies and programs that stop child abuse, help working families with childcare, expand early care and learning programs, and ensure good health care, the result will be lower crime, stronger families, and a more powerful economy. Michael has worked on issues relating to children and families for more than 25 years. Before founding Every Child Matters, he served as deputy director at the Child Welfare League of America, director of the National Center for Excellence in Child Welfare, and as the commissioner of Maine’s Department of Human Services. Michael was a delegate to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Helsinki, Finland. He works closely with leading members of congress and provides consulting services to many state and local public child welfare agencies. He also heads Vote Kids, a political organization that spotlights the voting records of elected officials on children’s issues. A graduate of Bowdoin College, Mr. Petit received a master’s in social work from Boston College.
For more on Michael Petit:
Activists Vow to Push Children Issues
By Mike Glover, Chicago Tribune
June 23, 2008
Kids Are Falling in the Wellness Gap
By Catherine Arnst, Business Week
April 2, 2008
When SCHIP Came to Crawford Ranch
By Michael Petit, The Hill
October 10, 2007
Archive
