Friday, May 1, 2026
Table of Contents
- New Child Care Home Licensing Rules Implementation Plan for Providers
- Action Needed - Health and Safety Refresher Training 2026
- May Child Care Licensing Regional Office Hours
- BFS Plan Review Office Hours
- May Naptime Nugget Monthly Webinar - Save the Date!
- Follow-Up from CCLB's April Naptime Nugget on Birth to Five CDA
- MDHHS Launches Statewide Map to Expand Access to Free Gun Locks and Promote Safe Firearm Storage
- PRESS RELEASE: Record Enrollment in Child Development and Care Scholarships Strengthens Michigan's Workforce and Economy
- PRESS RELEASE: First-ever Mi Kickoff Event Connects 1,000 Michigan High School Students College, Career Pathways
- CPSC Recalls and Safety Warnings
The new child care home licensing rules were officially adopted on April 27, 2026. Providers will have at least 90 days from that date to meet the new requirements.
For a look at the new child care home rules please click the link: First Look - Child Care Home Rules
During this 90-day transition period, the Child Care Licensing Bureau will offer training, updated technical assistance, and provide new rule books to support providers with the changes. The training schedule for child care home providers will be released later this month.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant requires child care providers to receive ongoing health and safety training. The rule to meet this requirement is below. This bulletin serves as OFFICIAL notice that licensed child care providers have the specified timeframe indicated in the notice from today (May 1, 2026) to complete the training in MiRegistry. The information provided in this bulletin explains how to find that required training.
Licensing Rule information: R 400.8216a(13) for centers "When the department publishes a notice that a new health and safety update document or a new health and safety update training activity is published on MiRegistry, the licensee shall ensure that all identified staff or volunteers in the notice read and acknowledge the document or complete the activity within the timeframe indicated in the notice."
Licensing Rule information: R 400.1924(11) for homes “When the department publishes a notice that a new health and safety update document or a new health and safety update training activity was published on MiRegistry, the licensee shall ensure that all applicable personnel and unsupervised volunteers read and acknowledge the document or complete the activity within the timeframe indicated on the notice."
Deadline for training completion: Licensed Child Care Providers will have until November 2, 2026 to complete this training.
The online Michigan Ongoing Health & Safety Training Refresher 2026 is being hosted in Michigan Virtual’s online professional learning portal. To access the training, providers who do not already have a Michigan Virtual account, will need to create a Michigan Virtual account. When a provider creates their Michigan Virtual account, there is a space to list their MiRegistry ID. Providers should provide their MiRegistry ID and select “I want all of my eligible courses to be sent to MiRegistry” so completion will transfer to their MiRegistry profile.
Providers can register for this training by visiting either the MiRegistry Statewide Training Calendar or Michigan Virtual Professional Learning Portal. For step-by-step instructions, review the Navigating to the Michigan Ongoing Health and Safety Training Refresher 2026 Course guide.
Please contact your consultant should you have any questions.
Please join us for the CCLB Regional Office Hours hosted by the CCLB area managers! This is an opportunity to stay informed, connected, and engaged within your child care licensing region. Whether you're a seasoned provider or just starting out, these sessions are a great opportunity for conversation and connection.
Please see the coverage map below to ensure you attend the correct office hours for your county.
This map: Child Care Coverage Map
Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive within your child care community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Upcoming Office Hours:
Grand Rapids Region with Katrice Sweet
Tuesday, May 12th, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link - Grand Rapids Region
Southwest Region with Charnell Lennox
Thursday, May 14th, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link - Southwest Region
Pontiac Region with Jackie Sharkey
Tuesday, May 19, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link - Pontiac Region
Wayne Region with Paris Howard
Thursday, May 21st, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link - Wayne Region
Flint-Macomb Region with Crecendra Boone
Tuesday, May 26th, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link - Flint-Macomb Region
Southcentral Region with Darlese McConnell
Wednesday, May 27th, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link - Southcentral Region
Northwest & Northeast and UP Regions with Candice Case-French & Erin Kidd
Wednesday, May 27th, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link - Northwest and Northeast Regions
Child Care Licensing has partnered with the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Fire Services plan review division to offer monthly office hours. This is an opportunity to stay informed, connected, and ask questions surrounding plan reviews.
Office Hours with BFS and CCLB
Click here to register or join the below office hours.
Thursday, May 7, 2026, 3-4pm
Thursday, June 4, 2026, 3-4pm
Thursday, July 2, 2026, 3-4pm
During the April 20th Naptime Nugget, Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) joined us, and we were given an overview of the new CDA process. The question was asked if Child Care Licensing will accept the Birth to Five CDA for any lead teacher position within Birth to Five age groups.
The information below is a follow-up to that question:
- An individual who has the Infant/Toddler (I/T) CDA credential, would meet requirements for a lead caregiver, including the 45 hour requirement of R400.8210(10).
- An individual who has the Birth to Five CDA credential and wants to serve as an I/T lead, would still require a review of the learning record/training hours to ensure the 45 hours of I/T content of R400.8210(10) are met. If the individual does not have the required I/T coursework, they could serve as an I/T lead and would have six months to complete the required I/T coursework as allowed by R400.8210(10). The program administrator would submit the individual’s plan to meet the requirement to their licensing consultant if requested.
- An individual who has the Birth to Five CDA credential and wants to serve as a preschool lead teacher would qualify as a lead teacher for preschool.
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LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) today announced the launch of a new statewide Gun Lock Distribution Map, a tool designed to help residents easily locate free firearm safety devices and expand access to safe storage resources across Michigan.
The interactive map identifies 150 locations across Michigan where individuals can obtain free cable-style gun locks and provides an opportunity for community organizations, health departments and other partners to request supplies to distribute locally. By expanding the number of distribution sites across the state, MDHHS aims to make it easier for Michigan residents to take simple steps that help prevent firearm injuries and deaths.
“Safe firearm storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent tragedies such as unintentional shootings, youth access to firearms and suicide,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “By expanding access to free gun locks and making it easier for people to find them in their communities, we are helping Michigan families take practical steps to protect themselves and those around them.”
Free gun locks distributed through the program are provided by the Michigan State Police (MSP) and purchased through Project ChildSafe, a nationwide firearm safety initiative. Gun locks have been available for several years at MSP Posts statewide and from local law enforcement agencies, county offices and health departments. This new map expands the program by connecting additional community partners with supplies and making distribution locations easier for the public to find.
“If you have a firearm in your home, it is your responsibility to store it properly, away from minors – it’s the law,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “An interactive tool like this map makes it easier than ever to obtain a free gun lock that can be used to safely store a firearm in your home and most importantly, potentially save a life. Please visit an MSP Post, your local police department or any MDHHS office to obtain a free gun lock.”
Safe storage plays an important role in reducing firearm injuries and deaths, particularly among children and teens.
“Firearm injury is a public health issue that affects communities across our state,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Safe storage – keeping firearms locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition – is a simple step that can prevent unintentional shootings, reduce youth access to firearms and reduce the risk of firearm suicide. Expanding access to free gun locks helps empower communities and families to make safer choices.”
Community organizations, health care providers, local governments and other partners interested in becoming distribution sites can request gun locks by completing a brief survey online to be added to the map. Once approved, locks will be shipped directly to participating sites.
To find a free gun lock near you or request supplies for your organization, visit the MDHHS Secure Storage Law webpage. Gun lock installation instructions are included within the product’s packaging and available on the Project ChildSafe website.
For more information about secure storage, visit the MDHHS website. For tips on how to start conversations with friends, family and neighbors about secure storage, download “The Talk” flyer.
LANSING, Mich. – A record number of Michigan children and families are benefiting from the state's Child Development and Care (CDC) scholarship, with 47,548 children participating statewide. The milestone reflects growing demand for affordable, high-quality child care and underscores the essential role the scholarship plays in helping families work, providers operate, and businesses grow.
By reducing the cost of care, the CDC scholarship enables more parents to enter and remain in the workforce while ensuring children are in safe, nurturing learning environments.
In March 2026, the CDC scholarship supported 47,548 children from 28,857 families through partnerships and 6,325 child care businesses across Michigan.
“This CDC scholarship is delivering for Michigan families,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “We are meeting the needs of every family who qualifies with an eligible child care provider, ensuring they can access reliable, high-quality care they can afford. Every child served represents a family that can work, grow, and plan for the future."
The federally funded scholarship covers a portion or, in many cases, most of the cost of care by paying licensed or approved providers directly, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and making care more affordable and reliable for families. This stability allows parents to stay consistently employed or continue their education without worrying about disruptions in care.
State leaders say the impact of the scholarship is felt not only by families, but across Michigan’s workforce and economy.
“Access to affordable child care helps families go to work and school,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director at MiLEAP overseeing the Office of Early Education. “When families don’t have to worry about how they’ll pay for care or whether it’s reliable, it reduces stress and helps them stay focused on their jobs. That’s good for families and for employers.”
Child care advocates across the state say the program is also strengthening the broader early childhood system.
“The CDC scholarship is a critical support for both families and the child care workforce,” said Erica Willard, CEO of the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children. “When families can afford care, children benefit from stable, high-quality early learning experiences, and early childhood programs are better able to invest in recruiting and retaining educated and experienced staff. Continued investment in programs like this is essential to building a strong, equitable early childhood system in Michigan”
The program also plays a critical role in sustaining Michigan’s child care sector by providing consistent, reliable revenue to child care businesses, allowing them to maintain staffing, expand capacity, and continue serving families in their communities.
“Reaching a record number of children through the CDC scholarship is a clear sign of how important this program is to Michigan families and our economy,” said Alicia Guevara, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. “Child care is not just a family issue; it’s an economic issue. When families can access affordable care, businesses have the workforce they need to grow and thrive.”
MiLEAP continues to strengthen and improve the CDC scholarship through ongoing system enhancements, provider supports, and strong oversight to ensure families can access benefits efficiently and providers are reimbursed reliably.
“After more than 30 years in this business, I’ve seen firsthand how much the CDC scholarship matters for families and providers,” said Aimee Mastej, owner of Aimee Mastej’s Day Care in Gaylord. “It’s easy to use, and it gives me consistent, reliable payments so I’m not chasing down tuition. More importantly, it gives parents peace of mind because many of them wouldn’t be able to afford care without it. Honestly, without the scholarship, I’m not sure I’d still be in business. That stability allows me to focus on providing a safe, high-quality environment where kids can learn and grow.”
The record enrollment builds on Michigan’s broader early childhood investments, including PreK for All, which saves families an estimated $14,000 per year and helps ensure children enter school ready to succeed, and the Every Child Reads initiative, which is focused on improving early literacy and helping more children read proficiently.
Together, these investments are helping more Michigan families stay in the workforce, supporting small businesses, and building a stronger, more resilient economy for the state.
Additional information about the CDC scholarship and other early childhood supports is available at MiLEAP’s Office of Early Education webpage.
DETROIT – More than 1,000 high school students from across 40 Michigan schools gathered at Ford Field today for the first-ever MI Kickoff, a college and career exploration event designed to help students without a postsecondary plan connect their interests, strengths and ambitions to clear next steps after high school. Hosted by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), with support from the Departments of Education (MDE) and Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) the event builds on ongoing efforts to expand opportunity and increase postsecondary participation among young men statewide.
“Michigan’s future depends on every student having a clear path forward, yet too many young men are navigating this moment without one,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “MI Kickoff is changing that. By bringing students face-to-face with colleges, training programs and employers, we are helping them see what’s possible and giving them a playbook to turn opportunity into action.”
MI Kickoff featured immersive, hands-on experiences in high-demand career fields through 10 student-selected breakout sessions focused on topics such as financial aid, esports, drones, interactive medical equipment, robotics, carpentry, broadcast journalism and culinary, along with an “Opportunity Hub” with representatives from more than 50 community colleges, universities, skills training programs, and businesses. Each student also participated in a FAFSA session that walked them through the process and highlighted available financial aid to support their next steps.
By providing exposure to a full range of career pathways, the event directly responds to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s directive to expand outreach and connect more young men to existing tuition-free post-secondary and career training opportunities, advancing the state’s bipartisan Sixty by 30 goal.
Programs like Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Community College Guarantee and the Michigan Skills Scholarship exist to lower costs for hundreds of thousands of students. Yet, men remain underrepresented in these opportunities, reflecting a broader trend in which women continue to outnumber men at community colleges and universities across Michigan and nationally.
MI Data Center reports that only about 56% of young men enroll in college within one year of graduating high school, compared to 69% of young women. Women also earn nearly 60% of all degrees and certificates awarded in Michigan.
Additionally, according to the Pew Research Center, nationally men account for only 42% of students ages 18-24 at four-year colleges, a decline from 47% in 2011.
During the event, students heard from a panel of speakers who shared their journeys after high school, as well as professionals working in fields where men are traditionally underrepresented.
“I graduated from Crockett Technical School and thought I had everything figured out, but life didn’t go the way I had planned,” said Brandon Keyes, a Detroit native, Michigan Reconnect graduate and current manager of the Equal Opportunity Lab at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. “I had some setbacks and thought I had lost my future. Then I found the Michigan Reconnect program, which provides a tuition-free community college education, and it gave me a second chance at my education and my future. It helped me turn obstacles into opportunity. That is what this is about.”
Robert Pyle, a registered nurse (RN) at Henry Ford St. John Hospital, spoke to students about his career in health care.
“A nursing career gives you the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives every single day, while opening doors to advancement, stability and purpose,” said Pyle. “Young men should consider nursing because our communities need caring, skilled professionals who reflect the people they serve and who are ready to lead in one of the most respected professions in the world.”
In Michigan, according to the 2025 Survey of Michigan Nurses, nursing remains a major workforce need, with 66% of RNs employed full-time and persistent demand across the state.
The need for certified teachers across Michigan may be even greater. It is estimated that men make up only about one in four teachers in the state, underscoring the need to recruit more men into the profession.
“Too often, young men don’t see teaching as a career path because they haven’t been shown the impact they can have in a child’s earliest years,” said Rod Reyes, program coordinator for the early childhood program at Mott Community College. “Our classrooms need more male role models who can inspire, mentor and help students see what is possible. When men choose a career in teaching, they are not just building a profession for themselves — they are helping build the future for an entire generation.”
For many students, the event helped make the path beyond high school feel clearer and more attainable.
“The reasons men are not pursuing post-secondary opportunities are numerous,” said Derrick King, program director for Upward Bound at Muskegon Community College. “Young men across Michigan too often face barriers that can make the path beyond high school feel out of reach — from limited exposure to career pathways and college opportunities, to a lack of mentorship and clear guidance about what comes next. By connecting young men with mentors, educators and real-world career pathways, this event helps them see that their future is not defined by obstacles, but by possibility.”
Events such as MI Kickoff and the recent Moving Males Forward Convening are part of MiLEAP’s broader work to connect more young men to college and career pathways statewide. MiLEAP remains committed to expanding access and helping every student take the next step toward their future.
To learn more, visit Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.
Please review the following recalls and safety warnings. For a full list of recalls visit www.cpsc.gov.
HappyGira Recalls Sweetie Baby and Style Life Eleven Baby Loungers Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Suffocation and Fall Hazards; Violates Mandatory Standard for Infant Sleep Products
Cpzzkq Baby Loungers Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Suffocation Hazard; Violates Mandatory Standard for Infant Support Cushions; Sold on Amazon by CetoPMax
KMUYSL Big Red Barn Farm Animal Playsets Recalled Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Choking; Violates Small Parts Ban; Sold on Amazon by MISSJUNE
CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using YCXXKJ Baby Bath Seats Immediately Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Drowning; Violates Mandatory Standard for Infant Bath Seats
CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Bauhini SDADI Kitchen Step Stools Immediately Due to Entrapment, Tip Over and Fall Hazards; Risk of Serious Injury
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