Child care program for military families expands to Michigan

(Governor Gretchen Whitmer via Facebook)

By Kyle Kaminski

November 17, 2023

A federally funded childcare program that offers financial assistance to military families is expanding in Michigan.

MICHIGAN—A federally funded program that’s expanding to Michigan is expected to make it easier for thousands of military members and their families to access and afford child care.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist this week announced the launch of the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS initiative in Michigan, otherwise known as MCCYN-PLUS. The program is funded and operated by the US Department of Defense and offers financial assistance to eligible military families when on-site child care at military bases is otherwise unavailable.

“Michigan’s military families sacrifice so much for our state,” Gilchrist said in a statement. “We owe it to them to boost access to quality, affordable child care so they can focus on their jobs.”

State officials said the newly expanded program will boost childcare options for military parents by connecting them with more providers and reducing the cost of care, as well as benefit the broader community by raising the quality of child care for both military and civilian families.

State data shows that Michigan is home to about 4,200 active duty service members and 21,000 active National Guard and reserve members. Through the program, eligible families can qualify for federal assistance that will be paid directly to certain licensed childcare providers.

Only providers that meet certain quality thresholds set by the state can participate. And military families with the lowest incomes could save up to $1,400 per month through the program.

“This new partnership is a demonstration of the Biden Administration’s commitment to supporting military and civilian families,” Gilchrist added. “Gov. [Gretchen] Whitmer and I will continue working hard to help parents go to work knowing their kids are safe and supported.”

MCCYN-PLUS is already available to military families in Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Miami-Dade County. In addition to Michigan, the federal program is also expanding to Nebraska and Oklahoma this fall.

For the latest Michigan news, follow The ‘Gander on Twitter.

Follow Political Correspondent Kyle Kaminski here.

Author

Kyle Kaminski

Kyle Kaminski is an award-winning investigative journalist with more than a decade of experience covering news across Michigan. Prior to joining The ‘Gander, Kyle worked as the managing editor at City Pulse in Lansing and as a reporter for the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: EDUCATION | POLITICS

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Michiganders and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at The 'Gander has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Michigan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.