Grants one good method to assist little one care suppliers | Information, Sports activities, Jobs

It’s no secret that child care in the region — and the state — is challenging, assuming families can find it.

In Marquette County, tales abounded of years-long waiting lists to get a child in a day care facility. Apparently, there are not enough facilities for the number of families that need child care.

Possible solutions have been discussed, but the effort will need to come from city, county, state and possibly federal levels.

Happy, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the launch of the third round of the Child Care Stabilization Grant program, which will award nearly $200 million to licensed child care providers to strengthen their programs and help lower costs for working families.

Whitmer noted that parents rely on child care so they can work knowing their kids are safe.

Not only is safety of paramount concern, but we believe parents want high-quality care, with proper nutrition and educational activities part of the package.

However, all this comes at a cost beyond what some families can afford.

The state’s recent effort means it has expanded low- or no-cost child care to 150,000 more youngsters, plus it is helping new providers open in Michigan.

The Child Care Stabilization Grant is a non-competitive grant available to about 8,000 licensed centers, group homes, family homes and tribal child care providers for operational expenses. Applications are available through Sept. 9 at MIchigan.gov/childcare .

Whitmer’s office indicated that nearly 6,000 child care providers received funding and 38,000 child care professionals received bonuses in the first two grant rounds.

Her office also pointed out that child care often is the largest expense in a family’s budget. However, to qualify for the grants, families must have a child under age 13, need child care because they are working or going to school, or have a qualifying monthly income less than $36,620 for a family of two, $46,060 for a family of three or $55,500 for a family of four.

Certainly, many families fall under these categories.

In May, Whitmer launched Caring for Mi Future, whose strategy is to open 1,000 new child care programs by the end of 2024, so we hope that program goes well.

We believe the Child Care Stabilization Grant is just one way to alleviate child care issues in Michigan — and discussions need to continue.

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