LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that applications for the Caring for MI Future: Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund are now open. Childcare entrepreneurs who are interested in starting or expanding a childcare facility can apply for a grant to reduce the cost of converting space that meets childcare facility guidelines. The $50 million to open and grow new childcare facilities as part of the state’s Caring for MI Future initiative. Caring for MI Future is a $100 million investment to help Michigan families find quality, affordable child care in their community by opening 1,000 new or expanded child care programs by the end of 2024.
“Today, too many Michigan families live in a community without enough child care 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,” said Governor Whitmer. “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 towards getting this done, with $50 million in grant funds to help childcare entrepreneurs open or grow their business. Let’s keep working together to expand access to high-quality, affordable child care that meets people’s needs so we can grow our economy and move Michigan forward.”
“As a parent, I know how critical it is to ensure access to affordable, high-quality child care,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “A part of our Caring for MI Future initiative, these Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund grants will help new and expanding child cares 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.”
Grants are being administered in partnership with IFF, a mission-driven lender, developer, and real estate consultant, the Michigan Departments of Education and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
“Quality early childhood education is essential to the vitality of communities and safe and healthy spaces are a crucial part of this,” said Joe Neri, IFF CEO. “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.”
Through the Caring for MI Future: Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund, new and expanding childcare entrepreneurs in Michigan can apply for grants. The grants which range in size from $50,000 for home-based child care and $150,000 for center-based programs, help providers to complete minor renovations and improvements to meet licensing and quality standards.
The Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund will address facility quality related to heating and cooling, ventilation, noise, lighting, classroom furnishings, and outdoor play areas, which are proven to contribute to quality learning environments and positively impact children’s learning, development, and well-being. Eligible applicants include licensed childcare providers located in the State of Michigan who are newly licensed providers or existing providers expanding their licensed capacity.
For a full breakdown of eligibility requirements and information on the application process visit michigan.gov/caringformifuture.
Childcare entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit Our Strong Start, to connect with a navigator and apply for all grants available for new and expanding childcare businesses.
Caring for MI Future
Caring for MI Future is a $100 million investment to help more Michigan families find quality, affordable child care in their community. Today, too many communities do not have enough childcare options to meet demand. To respond, the state is investing $100 million to dramatically increase access to childcare across the state and open 1,000 new, or expanded, childcare programs by the end of 2024. This strategy responds to the most pressing needs facing childcare entrepreneurs and creates sustainable systems to support the current and next generation of childcare business owners.
To learn more about Caring for MI Future, visit www.michigan.gov/caringformifuture.
Childcare entrepreneurs can access all State of Michigan childcare resources through Our Strong Start. Resources available include applications for Prelicensure, Start-up and Facilities grants, business planning tools, licensing assistance and trained navigators to assist entrepreneurs through the licensing and grant processes. In addition, through Our Strong Start, current and future childcare educators can learn about scholarships and grants available to offset educational costs for students pursuing degrees that prepare them to work or professionally advance in the childcare field.
Delivering for Families
Caring for MI Future is part of a bipartisan $1.4 billion investment to expand access to quality, affordable child care and get Michigan families back to work. Child care is often the largest expense in a family’s budget and one in three Michigan families are now eligible for free or low-cost child care.
To qualify, families must:
It only takes two minutes to see if you’re likely to qualify. Visit greatstarttoquality.org/calculator. Families can apply for child care support by visiting MiBridges.Michigan.gov.
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