MiLEAP Announces $1 Million Awarded to Regional Child Care Coalitions to Expand Access to Child Care for Michigan Families
Funding awarded to 10 community-led coalitions to increase access, grow the child care workforce and meet local family needs
Lansing, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) announced 10 Regional Child Care Coalitions selected to receive nearly $1 million in funding to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care across the state. The coalitions, made up of community leaders, child care providers, parent leaders and economic development organizations, are working together to strengthen Michigan’s early childhood systems and address child care challenges at the local level."
“Child care is essential to Michigan’s economic strength and the well-being of our families. Every Michigan family deserves access to safe, affordable, and high-quality care – no matter their ZIP code,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “These coalitions reflect local voices and community needs, and MiLEAP is proud to invest in their leadership as they work to create sustainable, community-driven solutions for children, families, and providers across the state.”
In partnership with the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), MiLEAP is supporting the coalitions in implementing community-informed strategies to address local child care needs. Federal funds administered by the state through the Child Care Development Block Grant will accelerate efforts to increase access to care, strengthen the early childhood workforce, and expand supports for families and providers statewide.
“The Regional Child Care Coalitions are leading efforts that are tailored to the unique needs of Michigan communities,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director of Early Education at MiLEAP. “By empowering early educators and investing in access to affordable, high-quality care, we’re building a child care system that truly serves every family and strengthens our state from the ground up.”
“A strong child care system is essential for Michigan’s families, economy, and future,” said Alicia Guevara, CEO of ECIC. “By investing in communities through Regional Child Care Coalitions, we are ensuring that more families have access to high-quality care in their communities because when we support child care through community-driven collaboration, we help build a Michigan where all young children and their families can truly thrive.”
Regional Child Care Coalitions focus on key priorities to increase child care availability and improves access to care in each of Michigan’s regions:
- Supporting child care businesses and nonprofits to grow and increase access to full-day, full-year care for working families.
- Ensuring families in each region are engaged in coalition planning and implementation.
- Addressing early childhood workforce gaps through collaboration with providers and partners.
- Aligning child care and PreK navigation resources to help families access information and financial resources.
- Expanding Tri-Share participation by recruiting employers, child care businesses, and nonprofits to support working families and local economies.
“As businesses and people consider the opportunity to ‘Make It’ in Michigan, they seek the kind of services necessary for a full-time, engaged workforce, and child care is chief among those needs,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “This effort, in addition to the MI Tri-Share program and other initiatives by the Whitmer administration to make child care more accessible to Michiganders are the positive, necessary steps forward that Michigan needs to take to ensure growth and prosperity in every corner of the state for generations to come.”
In December, the coalitions published a statewide report outlining opportunities to improve Michigan’s child care infrastructure. The report is informing MiLEAP’s efforts to build on this momentum and ensure that every Michigan family has access to the affordable care they need to thrive.
The funded Regional Child Care Coalitions include:
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Economic Development Region
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Lead Organization
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Co-Lead Organization(s)
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Funding Amount
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Region 1
Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, Iron, Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee, Delta, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, Chippewa
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Lake Superior Community Partnerships
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Community Coordinated Child Care Association of the Upper Peninsula
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$99,730.31
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Region 2
Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee
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United Way of Northwest Michigan
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Networks Northwest
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$100,000
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Region 3
Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon Community College
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Northeast Michigan Council of Governments
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Develop Iosco
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$100,000
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Region 4
Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa
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Vibrant Futures
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The Right Place
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$100,000
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Region 5
Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Midland, Saginaw, Isabella
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Middle Michigan Development Corporation
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Gratiot-Isabella RESDMidland County ESA
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$100,000
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Region 6
Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola
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Child Care Network
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Shiawassee Economic Development
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$100,000
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Region 7
Clinton, Eaton, Ingham
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Lansing Economic Area Partnership
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Capital Area Michigan Works!United Way of South Central Michigan
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$100,000
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Region 8
Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Van Buren
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Sturgis Area Community Foundation
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Southwest Michigan First
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$99,999.85
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Region 9
Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson, Hillsdale and Lenawee
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Child Care Network
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Ann Arbor Spark
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$100,000
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Region 10
Macomb, Oakland, Wayne
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IFF
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$100,000
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To learn more and get connected with your Regional Child Care Coalition, visit https://www.ecic4kids.org/regional-planning/.
For more information about MiLEAP’s efforts to expand access to child care in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/CaringForMIFuture.
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Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from birth to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.
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