June 18, 2004
June 18, 2004
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Family Independence Agency (FIA) Director Marianne Udow today announced $461,580 in new grants to licensed or registered child care providers who serve children from low-income families subsidized by the Family Independence Agency. Udow said that the 138 grants range in amounts from $585-$15,000, with all but three start-up grants in a range from $585-$3,500.
The grant program, called Enhanced Quality Improvement Program, or EQUIP, is funded by the FIA and is aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of child care in Michigan communities. The Michigan 4C (Community Coordinated Child Care) Association, a partner with the FIA in helping public assistance recipients stay in the work force, administers the grant program.
“These grants increase access to quality child care by helping low-income families find affordable, safe services through child care providers and child care centers,” said Granholm.
The Lansing-based Michigan 4C Association selected the grantees. Grants were awarded for proposals that address equipment, computers, and resources to build child care capacity, support childhood development at care centers, and improve staff knowledge and caregiver techniques. EQUIP grants help child care providers develop service during afternoon, evening, and weekend work shifts, which is critical for working families, and ways to care for infants and children with special needs. Provider start-up grants help communities better meet the needs of their low-income families.
“The EQUIP grant program supports families with children as adults work toward financial independence,” said Udow. “The ability to locate safe, affordable day care service is critical to the success of low-income families.”
Working collaboratively with the FIA, the Michigan 4C Association regularly awards EQUIP grants to increase licensed child care capacity across the state. In March, the FIA awarded $554,300 to 167 child care providers. From fiscal year 1998 through the current funding cycle, the FIA has distributed more than $7 million in EQUIP grants funds. For more information on EQUIP grantees in any county, contact the Michigan 4C Association at (800) 950-4171.
Read more on child care services at www.michigan.gov/fia under “Day Care”.
