Michigan’s $59 Million Investment Paid for Expansions, Upgrades, and Renovations at 1,100 Childcare Facilities

Thanks to federal dollars from the Facilities Improvement Fund, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Learning, Achievement, and Potential (MiLEAP) disbursed $59 million to help more than 1,100 home- and center-based childcare facilities fund more than 3,500 renovation and upgrade projects. The projects expanded access to safe, quality, and affordable childcare for families across the state. “Quality, safe, and affordable childcare is essential to the vitality of communities,” said MiLEAP Acting Director Michelle Richard. “Childcare enables parents to remain in the labor force, increasing household income, boosting economic productivity, and benefiting their community.” Caring for Mi Future is a federally funded Michigan plan to open or expand 1,000 childcare programs by the end of 2024. This goal was met and exceeded one year ahead of schedule, with 1,200 new childcare centers and 2,159 home-based providers expanding to create 36,783 new spots in childcare facilities across Michigan. “Thanks to our childcare providers and the Caring for Mi Future team, more than 1,100 childcare programs across the state are able to offer higher-quality care to more families. And we’re not done,” Richard added. “There is still an urgent need for more childcare facilities, the professionals caring for our children need more support, and...