The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) is excited to announce that they have been awarded four impactful grants from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) that will work to ensure that families with young children have equitable access to critical programs and services to support development in the earliest years. The investment will advance access to quality early care and learning, expand support for child care businesses and educators, continue supporting regional child care plans, and provide training and technical assistance to local early childhood collaboratives working to ensure family needs are met.
The funding will be strategically applied to further strengthen child care systems statewide, ensuring that quality care is accessible for all families. By building on its established framework, ECIC will collaborate with its many partners to maximize the impact of this new investment to create a more robust, equitable system of support for Michigan’s early childhood system.
“We’re truly honored to receive these grants, which will allow us to work with partners across the state to strengthen and enhance the entire early childhood system,” said Alicia Guevara Warren, CEO of ECIC. “These much-needed investments will provide connection and supports for families with young children, child care business owners, and communities in Michigan as we all work together to ensure that all young children and families can thrive.”
“Child care is the backbone of our economy, and MiLEAP is committed to working with all partners to address the child care needs in our state,” said Emily Laidlaw, Deputy Director of Early Childhood Education at MiLEAP. “ECIC continues to demonstrate its commitment to Michigan children and families, and we are pleased to partner with them on these efforts to improve access to high quality child care and early education.”
Ja’Nel Jamerson, Chair, ECIC Executive Committee shared, “I’m thrilled that the Early Childhood Investment Corporation has been awarded these impactful grants from MiLEAP. This funding will significantly enhance our ability to provide equitable access to vital programs and services for families with young children across Michigan. By supporting early development, Michigan is laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.”
The four grants include:
- Family Child Care Networks (FCCNs)
This initiative supports home-based child care businesses through structured networks that provide business support, community connections, and resources to enhance program quality. ECIC will expand from nine FCCN Hubs and 22 Networks to statewide implementation.
- Regional Child Care Coalitions Grant
The grant will support 10 Regional Child Care Coalitions to implement their child care action plans, providing these organizations with a learning community, consultation, and engagement opportunities.
- Training and Technical Assistance for Great Start Collaboratives (GSCs) and Great Start Family Coalitions (GSFCs)
ECIC will provide training and technical assistance to the 54 GSCs and GSFCs across the state, partnering to build capacity to effectively support local early childhood systems, meet local community needs, and connect to statewide goals.
- Great Start to Quality (GSQ)
ECIC has led the implementation of GSQ since its inception and will continue to maintain and expand Michigan’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS), ensuring high-quality early care and education programs across the state.
Created in 2005 to serve as a statewide leader in early childhood, ECIC collaborates to increase public and private investment in the earliest years of children’s lives, while elevating issues affecting young children and their families, to continuously improve Michigan’s comprehensive early childhood system. Our vision is to create a future where all young children in Michigan and their families thrive.