Grand Rapids Reporter

Daycare programs in Michigan are in line to receive their portion of a $253 million grant to help keep them operational.

According to a news release by the state government, approximately 5,200 child care organizations will receive money from the grant as a result of the third round of the Child Care Stabilization Grant. These funds will keep programs open for business and serving Michigan families.

“As a father, I know the importance of having skilled child care professionals to care for our kids,” Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II said in the release. “These stabilization grants are a step towards our goals to support child care entrepreneurs and improve access to care for working families, helping them go to work knowing their kids are cared for. Governor Whitmer and I will continue working hard to boost access to affordable child care in every community.”

Whitmer added that the state would be in better shape if working families had more access to affordable child care.

“I’ve worked across the aisle to make record, bipartisan investments in child care because as a mom I know the importance of having a child care provider you trust and your kids love,” said Whitmer. “All our kids deserve a strong start. These grants are another investment in their future, our child care industry, early educators, and our state’s prosperity. Let’s keep working together for our kids."

Kristen Sobolewski, Project Director for First Steps Kent said the grants would help stabilize the industry.

"Because of added stresses like the rising costs of supplies and food, these grants have been a lifeline to allow child care businesses to remain open, which in turn allows families to remain working, confident their children are being taken care of,” she said. “As we look to the future, we stand ready to support additional financial investments that center equity, innovative solutions, and public awareness to help expand access to child care in Michigan."