Michigan Business Leaders Take on Child Care in New Webinar Series
Free, four-part webinar series will provide practical strategies to support working families, improve retention, and strengthen workforce stability
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan employers and business leaders will soon have access to a new statewide webinar series designed to explore employer-led child care solutions and workforce strategies that support working families and promote stability across the state’s economy.
“The Michigan Employer Roadmap to Child Care Solutions”, a four-part virtual series led by Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute in partnership with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), will feature voices from national experts and local employers, providing actionable takeaways for businesses looking to better support employees and strengthen workplace retention and engagement.
“Employers are increasingly recognizing that child care is not just a family issue, but a key driver of workforce stability, productivity, and long-term economic growth,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “When employees have the support they need to balance work and family needs, they are better able to consistently participate in the workforce, helping businesses operate more efficiently, and strengthening Michigan’s economy. This series will provide employers with practical tools and perspectives to provide that support.”
Across industries, businesses are experiencing hiring and retention challenges that are directly connected to gaps in child care. When employees have access to dependable care, they are more likely to participate in the workforce, show up consistently, and stay focused on the job. For employers, that translates to reduced absenteeism, improved retention, and a stronger, more reliable talent pool.
“Affordable child care is essential to a strong economy,” said Kathy Szenda Wilson, co-executive director for Pulse. “This series is about helping employers understand the role they can play and giving them clear, practical strategies they can use to support their workforce while strengthening their business.”
The series will walk employers through the business case for child care and provide actionable solutions they can implement, from internal policies to financing options such as federal tax credits and shared-cost models, and ways to partner locally to strengthen child care access. Supported by national partners including the United States Chamber of Commerce and the Bipartisan Policy Center, the series will also highlight how existing programs and investments are already helping businesses across Michigan.
Through initiatives like PreK for All, which is saving families an estimated $14,000 per year, the Child Development and Care (CDC) scholarship, and shared-cost models such as MI Tri-Share and Care-Share, families can significantly reduce the cost of child, helping them remain in the workforce while supporting businesses in attracting and retaining employees.
Business leaders planning to attend the series say the focus on real-world solutions is what makes the series especially valuable.
“As an employer, we know child care challenges don’t stay at home, they show up at work,” said Andy Richards, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Duncan Aviation. “Having access to practical strategies and understanding what’s already working for other businesses will help us make better decisions for our team.”
“Strengthening our state’s workforce requires all of us to work together to build sturdy supports for working families,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director at MiLEAP overseeing the Office of Early Education. “We encourage employers and business leaders across the state to register for this series and join the conversation. Together, we can help families and businesses thrive while contributing to the long-term growth of Michigan’s economy and success of Michigan’s children.”
The webinars will be held on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m., with each 90-minute session featuring national experts, Michigan employer perspectives, and clear, actionable takeaways:
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June 3, 2026 – Why Child Care is a Workforce Strategy: Featuring officials from the U.S. Chamber Foundation, Atlanta Fed, Business Leaders United, MiLEAP, Pulse, and Kalsec Inc.
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June 24, 2026 – Policies and Benefits That Work: Featuring experts from the Bipartisan Policy Center, Pulse, and Michigan Child Care Champions
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July 15, 2026 – Financing Solutions: Featuring leaders from the Niskanen Center, Pulse, MiLEAP, Frontier, and Bronson Healthcare
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August 12, 2026 – Building the Child Care Ecosystem: Featuring experts from Early Matters, Early Childhood Investment Corporation, Small Business Association of Michigan, Saginaw Future, Networks Northwest, and Duncan Aviation
Employers, HR leaders, chambers of commerce, economic developers, and business associations are encouraged to attend the series, which is also open to the public.
Interested participants can register at tinyurl.com/pulsewebinar.
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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.
About Pulse:
Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute is dedicated to transforming the early childhood landscape by equipping communities with data-driven solutions and actionable roadmaps. Pulse’s initiative bridges the gap between research and practice, building the conditions necessary for every child, family, and provider to have access to the resources they need to thrive. Through collaborative efforts with stakeholders across Michigan, Pulse drives sustainable change in childcare accessibility, workforce development, and policy innovation.
This project was made possible by grant number 90TP0138. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official view of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
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