$450K Investment Expands High-Quality, Home-Based Child Care for Michigan Families
Investment will bring up to 125 additional child care options in southeastern and northwestern Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has awarded more than $450,000 to expand access to high-quality, home-based child care for Michigan families. The funding will support Family Child Care Network (FCCN) hubs in southeastern and northwestern Michigan by connecting home-based child care providers to the tools and resources they need to build stronger, more sustainable businesses that deliver reliable care for children and families.
“Home-based child care providers are essential to Michigan’s early learning system and a trusted source of care for families across the state,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP director. “This investment builds on our state’s commitment to ensuring these educators remain a strong and valued part of our child care system so that they can continue delivering high-quality care that helps children thrive from their earliest years.”
Implemented through the Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s (ECIC) Child Care Innovation Fund, FCCN hubs strengthen the quality and sustainability of home-based child care by connecting providers to training, technical assistance, peer support, and community resources. To date, more than 550 home-based child care providers have joined Michigan’s FCCNs.
“Family Child Care Networks are a key part of Michigan’s child care infrastructure,” said Alicia Guevara, ECIC CEO. “By giving home-based child care business owners the tools to grow their programs’ quality and sustainability, we ultimately give working families more high-quality, affordable child care options while supporting local communities and the economy.”
The recent investment will help increase FCCN capacity by providing support for new and expanded hub operations. With this funding, Northwest Michigan Works!, a program of /Networks Northwest, and MiSide Early Years will operate a total of five new networks in their respective regions, supporting up to 125 additional home-based child care businesses.
"Northwest Michigan Works is pleased to support Michigan's growing commitment to home-based child care providers," said Janie McNabb, CEO of Networks Northwest. "Our commitment is to empower these small businesses in our region to strengthen and build capacity in the child care industry."
Northwest Michigan Works! was awarded $260,586 to operate three networks, serving providers in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties.
MiSide Early Years was awarded $170,665.70 to expand its services to operate two networks across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
“Expanding the reach of Family Child Care Networks means elevating the voices of more home-based child care providers so support can be better tailored to meet the needs of Michigan communities,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director at MiLEAP overseeing the Office of Early Education. “By convening providers and connecting them to resources, this work removes real barriers and strengthens how child care businesses serve children and families across the state.”
Home-based child care business owners and license-exempt providers interested in joining a FCCN are invited to reach out to their local hub to learn more. Get connected today at ECIC4KIDS.org/family-child-care-networks/.
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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