To Strengthen Michigan's Workforce, Support Child Care

Supporting our child care providers is essential to strengthening families, communities and our state's economy.

Access to affordable, high-quality child care is one of the strongest economic drivers in Michigan. When families can find and afford reliable, high-quality child care, parents are significantly more likely to participate in the workforce, helping businesses fill critical positions, grow their operations, increase tax revenues and strengthen Michigan's talent pipeline.

Partnerships Supporting Child Care

The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) is proud to partner with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) on important initiatives that support the sustainability and growth of Michigan's child care businesses. Together, they are helping ensure the success of our state's children while supporting the employers, workers, and communities that depend on a strong child care system.

The Nurture Benefits Program

SBAM and MiLEAP established the Nurture Benefits Program, an innovative, grant-funded initiative designed to make high-quality employee benefits accessible and affordable for Michigan's child care workforce.

This program supports child care providers, educators and business owners who are essential to early childhood development but often face workforce challenges, including low wages, high turnover and limited access to affordable benefits. As small businesses struggle to manage rising costs of health care and employee benefits, the Nurture Benefits Program fills a critical gap for those providing early care and education for children throughout our state.

Tri-Share Child Care Program

SBAM also supports MiLEAP's Tri-Share child care program, which splits the cost of care between employers, employees and the state, helping more families access affordable care. The program supports hundreds of Michigan employers and has resulted in $14 million in savings for Michigan families.

Child Care Business Essentials Hub

The SBAM Foundation was recently selected as a grantee for MiLEAP's Child Care Small Business and Economic Development Integration grant and launched the Child Care Business Essentials Hub. The hub helps child care providers strengthen and grow their businesses through:

• Training and technical assistance

• Business resources

• Expert guidance through knowledgeable pathfinders

By supporting child care providers and educators with the tools they need to manage and expand their operations, Child Care Business Essentials will help increase child care capacity and improve access for families across Michigan.

Why Child Care Matters

When we support child care businesses, entire communities benefit and thrive. Reliable, high-quality child care allows parents to consistently go to work and maintain steady employment to support their families.

Child care providers also play a vital role in advancing Michigan's Every Child Reads initiative by helping young children develop foundational literacy skills that prepare them for success in school, future careers and the workforce. These early learning experiences create lasting benefits for families, employers and the state and local economies.

Looking Forward

Michigan's future economic success depends on the strength of its child care system. Continued collaboration among the business community, child care providers and state leaders will be essential to expanding access to care and supporting the workforce families and employers depend on.

By working together, we can ensure Michigan's children, small businesses and communities all have the opportunity to thrive.

Michelle Beebe is Chief Revenue Officer at the Small Business Association of Michigan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is child care important for Michigan's workforce?

A: Access to affordable, high-quality child care allows parents to participate in the workforce, helping businesses fill positions, grow operations, and strengthen Michigan's economy.

Q: What is the Nurture Benefits Program?

A: It's a grant-funded initiative by SBAM and MiLEAP that makes high-quality employee benefits accessible and affordable for Michigan's child care workforce.

Q: How much has the Tri-Share program saved Michigan families?

A: The Tri-Share child care program has resulted in $14 million in savings for Michigan families by splitting costs between employers, employees, and the state.

Source: Battle Creek Enquirer - Opinion