A regional child care coalition is a group of community leaders in Michigan’s prosperity regions who want to increase the supply of high-quality child care. The GLSSC Regional Child Care Coalition is the coalition that represents Genesee, Shiawassee, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties.

Throughout Michigan, and in each region, there are more children needing child care than there are spots available.¹ The reasons for this gap are complicated. Child care providers have challenges recruiting and retaining staff. People who might be interested in becoming child care providers encounter many barriers. And child care is quite expensive—on average, child care costs 41 percent of a family’s income if they work full time earning minimum wage.^2,3

_{1 Parker James. March 12, 2021. “Child Care: A Critical Need in Michigan.” MLPP.org. Accessed November 10, 2022.}

_{2 Maureen Coffey and Rose Khattar. September 2, 2022. The Child Care Sector Will Continue To Struggle Hiring Staff Unless It Creates Good Jobs. Washington D.C.: Center for American Progress. Accessed November 10, 2022.}

_{3 Michigan League for Public Policy. n.d. “2021 Kids Count in Michigan: Cost of Child Care by County.” MLPP.org. Accessed November 10, 2022.}

Regional child care coalitions are funded by a grant through the Early Childhood Investment Cooperation (ECIC).

Each regional coalition is co-led by organizational leaders that have expertise in child care and economic development. GLSSC Regional Child Care Coalition is co-led by the Flint & Genesee Group, Child Care Network, St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency, Lapeer Intermediate School District, Lapeer County Community Foundation, and Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership. Coalition members include business and economic development partners, organizations that fund and administrate child care providers, and parents.

Each coalition is going to get everyone who cares about the quality and availability of child care in the same room. All voices will be heard, and with thoughtful conversations and planning, the coalition will gain shared insight and join forces with a shared aim of improving child care in the region. To make data-driven decisions, the coalition will use research, surveys of child care providers, and parent focus groups.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Himes Greer at shgreer@publicsectorconsultants.com.