LANSING — Early childhood educators across Northern Michigan, from Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties to communities in Otsego, Cheboygan and the Upper Peninsula, are beginning to receive monthly stipends through a new $16 million statewide wage initiative aimed at stabilizing the child care workforce and supporting working families.
Michigan’s Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential and the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District announced statewide participation in a $16 million Early Childhood Educator Wage Initiative that will provide stipend payments to more than 2,500 child care providers across Michigan.
In Northern Michigan, the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments/Networks Northwest coalition serving Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties is slated to receive $1.6 million.
The Develop Iosco coalition, which includes Cheboygan, Crawford, Otsego and Presque Isle counties among others, is also slated to receive $1.6 million.
The 4 C of the Upper Peninsula coalition, which includes Gogebic and Ontonagon counties among others, is also slated to receive $1.6 million.
The initiative, launched in November, now includes all 10 of Michigan’s Regional Child Care Coalitions, with funding amounts finalized and stipend payments beginning to reach providers.
“With all 10 regions now on board, this investment strengthens local partnerships and reinforces our commitment to building a more stable early childhood workforce all across Michigan,” Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP director, said. She said stipend payments are already reaching child care providers and are intended to support professionals who care for and teach young children.
Each coalition was eligible to receive up to $1.6 million based on required matching funds and in-kind contributions. The funding supports monthly stipends of up to $200 for part-time early childhood educators and $300 for full-time early childhood educators and assistant teachers, according to the announcement.
“GOISD is honored to work alongside MiLEAP and our regional partners to deliver meaningful, direct support to early childhood educators across Michigan,” GOISD Superintendent Alan Tulppo said. He said the effort is aimed at strengthening workforce stability, supporting working families and reinforcing the foundation of the state’s future.
The initiative is administered by MiLEAP and GOISD with technical support from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. Alicia Guevara, the corporation’s chief executive officer, said the initiative is a step toward improving compensation for early childhood educators and that a better supported workforce can strengthen outcomes for children, including literacy, lifelong learning and overall well-being, while also boosting local economies.
Regional coalitions are responsible for recruiting eligible providers, distributing stipend funds and supporting ongoing evaluation and quality improvement efforts. The initiative will run through September 2027.
More information about MiLEAP’s early childhood work is available through the MiLEAP Office of Early Education webpage.