Kalamazoo Times

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reminded licensed child care programs that time was running out to apply for the Child Care Stabilization Grant put into force by the bipartisan state budget the governor signed in September 2021. 

The $365 million grant will be utilized to give $1,000 bonuses to child care professionals and also supply thousands of dollars in operational grants to local child care businesses.

"Childcare professionals are essential," Dawne Bell, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, said in a recent press release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office. "In recognition of the extraordinary role that childcare has played these past three years and will play in Michigan's economic recovery, help is on the way. The Child Care Stabilization Grants are a critical boost for a crucial industry in our state. We want every eligible program to apply and receive these resources."

Whitmer herself also weighed in.

"Countless Michiganders rely on childcare to go to work knowing that their kids are safe," Whitmer said in the press release. "High-quality, affordable childcare uplifts working families and our kids. That's why I was proud to work across the aisle to make game-changing investments in our childcare providers and professionals in the bipartisan budget I signed last September. Thanks to our bipartisan efforts, we have been delivering every childcare professional in Michigan a $1,000 bonus in recognition of their incredible sacrifices, expanding low or no-cost care to 105,000 kids, and helping providers improve their facilities. I urge providers to apply for the state grant so they can continue serving their communities and helping young Michiganders thrive."

Educators also spoke out in support of the grants.

"The Child Care Stabilization Grants are a significant investment in Michigan's childcare infrastructure," Jessica Savoie, director of Early Childhood Services at the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District, said in the release. "These grants are sustaining thousands of small childcare business owners across the state, investing in the childcare workforce, and keeping costs lower for families. These grants have kept the doors open in many rural areas where access and availability to licensed quality care is often scarce. The funding investment is crucial to our economy and the future of Michigan's youngest learners."

Business figures provided additional comments. 

"The first round stabilization investments have been a game changer for the childcare sector," Chana Edmond-Verley, CEO at Vibrant Futures, said in the release. "Providers are expressing appreciation and thanks for the unprecedented investment in their work through the Child Care Stabilization Grant. Family home providers, and center directors are certainly telling us these investments have been one of the keys to: staying in business, reopening doors, retaining talent, recapturing losses, and more importantly continuing to exercise the deep calling to do what they love — care for children. We've seen providers eager to take advantage of the promise round 2 holds for serving, nurturing, and supporting children — clearly the heart of all those who work in childcare."

The deadline to apply for the grant is 6 p.m. on Thursday, the release said.