Downriver Today

With $50 million to grow childcare in the state, the Caring for MI Future initiative is set to aid day-cares in renovating their facilities.

According to a news release shared by the Michigan government, the funds are available through the Caring for MI Future: Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund program.

“As a parent, I know how critical it is to ensure access to affordable, high-quality childcare,” Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said. “A part of our Caring for MI Future initiative, these Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund grants will help new and expanding childcares renovate facilities and build learning environments that help kids thrive and set them up for success. Governor Whitmer and I are committed to ensuring that parents in every Michigan community can go to work knowing their kids are cared for.”

The entire Caring for MI Future program is a $100 million investment that state leaders hope will provide families with more childcare options by 2024.

 “Today, too many Michigan families live in a community without enough childcare options to meet their needs, meaning families are forced to leave the workforce, work fewer hours, or piece together options that don’t work well for their family,” Governor Gretchen Whitmer said. “That’s why we launched Caring for MI Future, a $100 million, bipartisan investment to establish or expand 1,000 childcare programs by the end of 2024. Today we take a step forward toward getting this done, with $50 million in grant funds to help childcare entrepreneurs open or grow their business.”

Home-based childcare programs can receive up to $50,000, and center-based programs can realize $150,000.

“Quality early childhood education is essential to the vitality of communities, and safe and healthy spaces are a crucial part of this,” IFF CEO Joe Neri said. “For nearly 35 years, IFF has worked to increase access to quality early childhood education, for all children, creating and supporting safe and inspiring learning spaces in the Midwest. Aligning programmatic and facilities quality is at the core of what we do, and so we’re honored to work with the Michigan Department of Education to facilitate this program and bestow the funds, and our knowledge and research, to providers across the state.”