The Child Care Innovation Fund: An initiative to reimagine child care and its impact.
Michigan’s child care sector is in crisis — and new, equitable business and financing models for early childhood providers are crucial for supporting both Michigan families and our economy.
With the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC)’s Child Care Innovation Fund, common-sense business and financing solutions are available for child care.
The current situation
44%
of Michiganders live in a child care desert, where there are more than 3 children per every available licensed child care space.1
1%
of the child care workforce earns enough to support the average family size in Michigan (one adult, one preschooler, one school-aged child).2
-$2.88 Billion
cost to Michigan in lost economic activity each year due to insufficient child care availability.3
Innovative Solutions
Competitive Grants
The Child Care Innovation Fund does not have any current competitive grant opportunities. Please sign up for ECIC’s Monthly Bulletin Newsletter here to receive updates when new grant opportunities become available.
Current Projects
Caring for MI Future
Learn more about the important, innovative work currently underway in support of the Child Care Innovation Fund’s priorities.
Early Care and Education Wages Pilot
The purpose of the Child Care Innovation Fund’s Early Care and Education Wage Scale project is to pilot, assess, and advocate for the establishment of a competitive wage scale on a statewide level in the early care and education sector. This initiative aims to address the significant shortage of qualified professionals in this field and the ongoing issue of inadequate compensation for early childhood workers.
Our Impact
Access reports, webinars, and other resources developed by the Child Care Innovation Fund.
Our priorities to propel change
The Child Care Innovation Fund’s five priority areas are designed to benefit employers, working families, child care business owners and early educators.
Create Synergy Between the Economic and Child Care Sectors
Advance child care as essential community infrastructure for economic growth and development, business productivity, and school readiness.
Improve Compensation and On-the-Job Supports
Improve the wages, benefits, on-the-job supports, and professional learning early educators need to help children learn.
Build Supply
Accelerate the start-up and expansion of licensed child care businesses in areas with more than three children under age five for every licensed child care slot.
Collaborate With Employers
Collaborate on child care solutions with employers to improve the productivity, recruitment, and retention of their working families.
Strengthen Child Care Businesses
Increase the economic viability and sustainability of child care businesses.
News & Updates
We aim to keep our partners up-to-date on the latest policy developments in child care. Visit our blog and YouTube Channel for regular updates and educational materials.
2022 Child Care Innovation Fund Expansion
Innovations from the Field: Home Based Child Development in Rural Michigan Webinar
Lessons Learned from Innovation Fund Grantees: Successfully Navigating CDA & Apprenticeships
Contact Us
Joan Blough
Senior Director, Child Care Innovation Fund