MiLEAP

Early Education

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Every Child Reads

Every Child Reads

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Child Care Licensing

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The Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) performs state licensing regulatory duties as required by state laws and federal requirements.

Early Learning and Family Supports

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Early learning and development program resources for all children, birth to age eight, especially those in highest need.

MI Tri-Share Child Care

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The MI Tri-Share Child Care Program is an innovative approach to increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care for working families while also helping employers retain talent and remove one major barrier to employment.

PDG Birth through Five

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Michigan is one of 20 states selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to receive the Preschool Development B-5 renewal grant (PDG).

Literacy Support Network Hubs

PreK for All

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The PreK for All Initiative helps Michigan families save money while preparing the state’s youngest learners for kindergarten.

Education Partnerships

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Boards and Commissions

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The Office of Education Partnerships at MiLEAP oversees both the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council and the Michigan PreK-12 Literacy Commission.

Family Partnerships

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The Office of Family Partnerships coordinates and aligns a statewide system of family-school-community partnerships in support of positive developmental, health and academic outcomes, ensuring every learner in Michigan thrives.

Out-of-School Time and Summer Learning

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Higher Education

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Data Sharing Center

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MI Student Aid

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Sixty by 30

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By 2030, 60% of working-age Michiganders will have a certificate or college degree. Michigan will be a talent leader — fueling the future workforce and providing opportunity for all.

Dual Enrollment Task Force

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Transfer Success Project

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The Michigan Legislature tasked MiLEAP’s Office of Higher Education (OHE) with partnering statewide to improve student transfer and credit acceptance. Through its Transfer Success Project, OHE advances student-centered outcomes using evidence-based strategies and meaningful cross-sector collaboration.

Universal FAFSA Challenge

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The Universal FAFSA Challenge supports districts in adopting a local universal FAFSA policy and implementing FAFSA completion support in their high schools and local communities.

College Student Basic Needs Task Force Resources

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The Office of Higher Education at MiLEAP convened a 15-member task force to examine how basic needs insecurity affects college students across Michigan. Their goal is to identify effective interventions and recommend policy changes that remove financial barriers to education.

Digital Toolkit

Strategic Talent Preparation

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Inside MiLEAP

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Contact MiLEAP

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FOIA Procedures and Guidelines

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Accessibility

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Legislative Reports

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Lobbyable Public Officials

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Tribal Relations

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Join Our Team

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Press Releases

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Flexibility in Meal Service

Program Administration and Staffing

Flexibility in Meal Service

More and more families are adopting specialized diets or desire food that reflects the home and community cultures, is high in nutrients and low in saturated and trans-fat, added sugar, and salt. Some of these features are not easily met by programs. ISDs and local programs may adopt meal service policies allowing families to provide meals and/or snacks for their children. There are several conditions that must be met:

Families must not be expected or encouraged to provide food for their child or the program. The program must continue to provide meal and snack service meeting Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)/School Nutrition Program (SNP) requirements;
Families choosing to provide their own meals and snacks must sign an agreement stating their intent and their understanding of the requirements (for a sample form, see resources for this section);
When a family has signed an agreement, the program is not required to provide a meal or snack when the family is providing it, however the program must have a plan for addressing times when a meal or snack is forgotten, spilled, or insufficient;
All licensing requirements for food service must be met;
In GSRP/Head Start Blend classrooms, the highest standard from either program must be adhered to;
Family-style meal service must continue. Children of families who provide food intermingle with the rest of the class at snack/meals, sitting and eating with the rest of the class and participating in all other aspects of the family-style meal; and
Meals and snacks provided by families must also meet CACFP/SNP requirements except when documented food allergies or intolerance or family beliefs prohibit. If inappropriate foods are provided, teaching staff with the support of food service providers, program administrators, and ECS must work with families to meet the requirements or utilize the provided meals.

This added flexibility for families does not remove the requirement that families must incur no cost for program elements, unless in this case only, they choose to supply their child’s food. This guidance also does not remove the requirement to evaluate subrecipients each year on family-style meal service with nutritious food.