INITIATIVE: Child care back office (ccbo)
Strengthening Child Care Infrastructure Across the Sunrise Side Region
Develop Iosco (“DI”) is leading a coordinated regional effort to strengthen child care access across Northeast Michigan’s 11‑county Region 3—the MEDC-defined Northeast Prosperity Region (Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon). Through our partnership with the Child Care Back Office (CCBO) and the Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition, we work to expand provider capacity, support the child care workforce, and ensure families have reliable, high-quality options that strengthen our local economy.
Background
In 2023, DI secured a Child Care Innovation Grant through ECIC to convene the Quad County Childcare Coalition (Alcona, Arenac, Iosco, Ogemaw) and conduct a regional planning process. The resulting Child Care Innovation Report identified administrative burden as a major challenge and recommended creating a shared-services support hub—now the Child Care Back Office (CCBO) a 501(c)3, created Nov. 2024.
Our Approach
DI co‑leads the Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition with Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) and serves as the fiscal and convening lead for major regional child care initiatives:
• Managed Service Organization (MSO): CCBO provides administrative, financial, licensing, and operational support to child care providers to reduce burden and strengthen business sustainability.
• Workforce & Provider Support: DI leads regional wage-pilot initiatives and supports efforts to strengthen the early childhood workforce.
• Access Expansion: By strengthening business processes and reducing administrative barriers, providers can focus on expanding high-quality child care options for local families.
Key Milestones & Funding
• October 2024: CCBO launched as a nonprofit based on DI’s coalition work.
• Spring 2025: CCBO hired its first CEO, Sarah Foglesong.
• 2025: Region 3 Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition secured $116,000 in early funding for planning and pilot services.
• October 2025: DI awarded $685,581 through the MiLEAP Early Childhood Workforce Wage Pilot to support regional wage stipends in partnership with CCBO.
• 2025: DI received a new $100,000 ECIC grant to continue coordinating and supporting the Region 3 Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition.
• 2025: CCBO received $400,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to expand shared services and provider business supports.
Provider & Business Engagement
Child care providers can partner with CCBO to access services such as license management, accounting and financial dashboards, tax preparation, enrollment management, and business software optimization.
Employers can collaborate with DI and CCBO on models that strengthen employee retention by improving access to dependable child care.
Community partners, municipalities, and economic development organizations are encouraged to participate in quarterly DI Community Meetings for updates and engagement opportunities.
Impact & Vision
By supporting providers, investing in the early childhood workforce, and coordinating resources across Region 3, the initiative aims to build a strong, sustainable child care ecosystem where families have dependable access, providers operate successful businesses, and communities see long-term economic benefits.
Providers, employers, and community partners interested in joining the effort can connect with Develop Iosco to learn more about engaging in the Sunrise Side child care initiative.
Sign Up for Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition Email Updates
Services CCBO offers:
- License Management – Support for maintaining existing child-care licenses, inspection assistance, and launching new centers.
- Enrollment Management – Onboarding, wait-list management, optimizing enrollment, and outreach to fill available seats.
- Tax Preparation – Quarterly estimated tax payments, annual tax returns, and strategic tax planning.
- Core Accounting & Financial Dashboards – Bookkeeping, accounting support, financial dashboards, and per-child cost analysis.
- Crisis Management – Policy and procedure development, incident support, and crisis communication assistance.
- Business Software Management – Configuration and optimization of business-management software, master contracts, and access to discounted pricing.
MiLEAP Early Childhood Workforce Wage Pilot to support regional wage stipends.
Michigan is launching the Early Education Wage Initiative to strengthen Michigan’s child care system. The initiative will be coordinated through Michigan’s Regional Child Care Coalitions (RCCCs), which work to unite families, providers, employers and community partners to identify challenges and create practical, community-based solutions that ensure all children have access to quality care. As the region's RCCC leader, Develop Iosco is leading the implementation of the Wage Initiative in Northeast Michigan with administrative support from Child Care Back Office. Learn more about the Wage Initiative, including how to apply at Wage Initiative | Child Care Back Office
DI’S QUAD COUNTY CHILDCARE COALITION RELEASES SOLUTIONS REPORT
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
DEVELOP IOSCO AWARDED REGIONAL CHILD CARE PLANNING GRANT
March 10, 2023
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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