Budget Headed to Governor for Signature |
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The Legislature approved a State Budget on its way to Governor Whitmer for her signature that includes several big wins for young children, families and the early childhood workforce. Highlights include:
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$12.6 million for the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program to ensure women have access to the care they need for a healthy pregnancy
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$26 million to expand access to child care for families by increasing the income eligibility from 130% to 150% of the federal poverty level
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$30 million for Michigan Reconnect – which allows any Michigander over age 25 without a college degree to earn one, tuition-free (including early childhood workers in the early care and education and health fields)
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And continued funding—meaning no cuts—for Early On, Home Visiting, Great Start Collaboratives & Parent Coalitions, GRSP, and literacy programming and coaches
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Additional Financial Relief for Child Care Providers is Coming in October
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The State Budget also keeps nearly $100 million in federal CARES relief funding in child care. These dollars will:
- Launch a final round of grants from the Child Care Relief Fund. The state will design this new grant round based on input from over 300 child care providers. Watch for more details on this flexible funding that child care providers can use to pay operating costs, such as rent, wages, hazard or bonus pay for employees, PPE costs and more.
- Fund temporary changes to child care subsidy billing to meet the needs of child care providers and families, including:
- Allowing reimbursement for school age children receiving the child care subsidy during the school day if virtual education is their only option (for eligible child care providers). Directions on how and when to bill for school age children is coming from the Michigan Department of Education soon.
- Providing for a one-time increase in absence hours to children receiving the child care subsidy. This 60 hour increase will be applied to families’ accounts this fall. MDE will reach out to providers with more details later in October.
What you need to know about federal relief funds – this $100 million in relief funds for child care from the federal government must be spent by December 31, 2020. Though immediate financial support is on the way, state leaders and advocates know that the child care sector needs more support to survive this pandemic. To learn more about what’s happening in Washington, D.C. and how to add your voice to critical discussions about future funding, click here.
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Top Take-aways from Child Care Townhall |
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Researchers estimate that, without additional public support, 40% of Michigan’s child care providers will permanently close their doors because of the pandemic. On Tuesday evening, September 22, 2020, nearly 300 of Michigan’s child care providers came together for a Virtual Townhall to share what they are experiencing, what they need to survive and what actions elected officials and government administrators can take now to help stabilize the essential child care sector.
Thank you to everyone who participated. State leaders are listening and learning. To find out what Michigan child care providers are saying about their needs, challenges and priorities for the future, click here.
ECIC thanks our Virtual Townhall Co-Hosts: Hope Starts Here and the Grand Rapids Chamber. Listening to all the feedback and ideas provided during the Virtual Townhall were leaders from the Office of the Governor, Michigan Department of Education – Office of Great Start, Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and invited State Legislators.
We encourage you to continue to build relationships and discuss your concerns with your state legislators. Not sure who represents you? Look here to find your state representative and here to find your state senator.
Most importantly, thank you to all Michigan Child Care Providers and Early Educators – you are essential and your voice matters. We are so grateful that so many child care experts shared their powerful stories and gave their time at the end of a long day to help shape stronger policy and funding decisions for early childhood. Thank you.
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Ready to Take More Action? |
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There are several upcoming opportunities for parents, early childhood workers, advocates, educators, providers and community partners to get more involved and help future policy decisions:
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Virtual Free Program sponsored by Hope Starts Here
Tues., October 13, 2020
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
A Seat at the Table: Engaging as & with policy influencers to shape equitable conditions for Detroit children & families
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Free Program
October 19-23, 2020
Each year the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) dedicates one week to officially celebrate infants, toddlers, young children, their families and early childhood professionals in Michigan and across the globe.
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Free Program
Sign up this October!
A policy initiative focused on the first three years – you can help ensuring that race, income or zip code does not determine a child’s destiny in Michigan.
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For more information about Michigan's Prenatal-to-Three Collaborative: |
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