Great Lakes Wire

Day care centers interested in receiving assistance towards rehabbing their facilities can now apply to the state’s Caring for Michigan Future initiative.

The initiative will offer $50 million through the Caring for MI Future: Child Care Facilities Improvement Fund program, according to a Nov. 3 press release from the state government.  

“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,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in the release. “That’s why we launched Caring for MI Future, a $100 million bipartisan investment to establish or expand 1,000 child care programs by the end of 2024. Today, we take a step forward toward getting this done, with $50 million in grant funds to help child care entrepreneurs open or grow their business.”

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II said the funding will provide much needed support for parents and families across Michigan.

“As a parent, I know how critical it is to ensure access to affordable, high-quality child care,” Gilchrist II said. “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.”

Home-based child care programs can receive up to $50,000 and center-based programs can receive $150,000, the release stated.

“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.”