Strengthening Child Care Across Northeast Michigan

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January 18, 2024 

IOSCO COUNTY, MICH. –– The Quad County Childcare Coalition (QCCC), a four-county Regional Child Care Planning Coalition which includes Alcona, Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw Counties, has released their Childcare Innovation Grant Report. 

In March 2023, Develop Iosco (DI) was awarded a $203,000 regional childcare planning grant from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC). Subsequently, a four-county Regional Child Care Planning Coalition which includes Alcona, Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw Counties was formed and met quarterly to address the lack of childcare options in Northeast Michigan. 

“It is striking that, for many of us parents whose children are now adults, we found during the course of the work in 2023 that the childcare situation has not improved in thirty years”, said Gloria Brooks, President of Develop Iosco Inc. and co-chair of the QCCC. “It’s actually harder for parents today to access childcare services so they can be confident that their children are well cared for as parents work outside the home to support their families. If our counties plan to offer businesses the opportunity for expansion and reap the benefit of local economic development, we must solve the childcare deserts in our communities.”

The Coalition includes parent and grandparent primary caregivers and child care provider representatives from across the County. Other coalition members also include Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA), Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District, Hale Area Schools, Plainfield Township, MichiganWorks! Region 7B offices from Iosco, Arenac, and Ogemaw Counties, MichiganWorks! Northeast Consortium office in Alcona County, and Iosco County government. 

Lisa Bolen, CEO of NEMCSA and co-chair of the QCCC, agreed.  “We were honored to partner with Develop Iosco on this vital project. Pleased with the conclusions, we were able to shed light on a major dilemma for Northeast Michigan parents. This collaboration showcased our commitment to impactful solutions for the communities we serve.” 

The Coalition’s extensive research and study included interviews with 7 childcare providers, 29 families and 25 employers representing 1,395 employees from manufacturers, school systems, non-profits, government, and for-profit retail agencies.

In culmination of their work, the QCCC has recommended the following solutions:

1. Unified Advocacy Voice: Create a unified advocacy voice for childcare providers to facilitate communication and support when interacting with Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs representatives.

2. Community Liaison: Appoint a community liaison for prospective and current childcare providers to provide information, education and assistance in childcare startup and operation.

3. Childcare Capacity Expansion: Offer funding to support in-home childcare startup or expansion efforts to address the lack of available quality childcare in the region.

4. Streamlined Zoning: Make recommendations to local units of government to streamline and define zoning regulations to make childcare startup and operation more accessible.

5. Employer Engagement: Encourage employers to view the lack of childcare as a shared problem, potentially supporting childcare services for their employees.

6. Explore creation of a joint venture Management Services Organization: The MSO would function as one-stop shop for back-office administrative services such as billing, finance, regulatory and compliance, as well as a staffing company for childcare providers to recruit, train, certify and provide healthcare benefits (which could be a step toward dealing with equity in pay for childcare workers).

The QCCC concluded that childcare challenges in Northeastern Michigan effect providers, parents, and employers; impacting both the workforce and the community’s economic well-being. Addressing these challenges with strategic recommendations can lead to a more sustainable and supportive childcare system in the region leading to economic development investments from the business communities.

The QCCC plans to formally share the report and solutions for employers at an Employers CEO Roundtable event on Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery in Tawas City. Invitations and additional information will be forthcoming.

The full report can be read on the DI website: https://develop-iosco.org/child-care-coalition 

The Regional Child Care Planning Grant is supported by funding provided from the Michigan Department of Education utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

DI is a 501-(c)-(3) nonprofit volunteer organization serving as a convener and facilitator for economic development activities within Iosco County related to business development. As an economic development organization, DI promotes Iosco County as a place for business growth to improve the quality of life for current and new residents.

Link to Iosco News online article: https://www.iosconews.com/article_46686460-b640-11ee-9e72-7b806ffe3b6a.html

March 10, 2023 

contact@develop-iosco.org 

For Immediate Release:

IOSCO COUNTY, MICH. –– The Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s (ECIC) – Child Care Innovation Fund has awarded a Regional Child Care Planning Grant to Develop Iosco (DI) in the amount of $150,000. The grant enables DI to facilitate a newly formed four-county Regional Child Care Planning Coalition which includes Alcona, Arenac, Iosco and Ogemaw Counties. This announcement follows Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s statewide announcement earlier today.

“Develop Iosco believes that a diverse coalition of individuals will create a stronger solution to the child care dilemma in our four-county area,” stated Gloria Brooks, President of DI’s Board of Directors. “We are excited to have been selected to bring these grant dollars to the communities and develop solutions for working families”. This is the first time DI has successfully applied and received state grant dollars of this size of a grant award.

The Coalition includes parent and grandparent primary caregivers and child care provider representatives from across the County. Other coalition members also include NEMSCA, Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District, Hale Area Schools, Plainfield and Oscoda Townships, MIWorks! Region 7B offices from Iosco, Arenac, Ogemaw and Alcona, and Iosco County government. 

The 18-month grant period will focus on better understanding the needs of families with children age 12 and younger and learn new ways to expand access to child care including 2nd and 3rdshift and weekend care availability. The Regional Child Care Planning project is supported by funding provided from the Michigan Department of Education within the Caring for MI Future initiative, utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Develop Iosco will facilitate the Coalition meetings and coordinate data collection leading to a roadmap for the implementation of the plan by June 30, 2024. Community meetings will be held to keep working families, employers and others informed of the project’s progress and to provide feedback on potential solutions.

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