The state is launching a new effort for child care business owners to navigate everything from licensing requirements to staffing shortages and financial challenges.
About 44% of Michigan residents live in a child care desert.
Child care deserts are recognized as an area three children are competing for every licensed child care opening or where no licensed provider is available.
The goal of the initiative lead by MiLEAP is to help child care providers succeed so families can access care they need.
MiLEAP stands for Michigan department of lifelong education, advancement and potential.
The agency was created in 2023 to oversee programs ranging from early childhood education and child care to college access and workforce training.
State leaders say the goal is to help more Michiganders succeed in school, build job skills and find good-paying careers.
Emily Laidlaw, MiLEAP deputy director joined Local 4 Live to tell us about the program and it’s goals.
You can watch the full interview in the video at the beginning of this article.