The Child Care Licensing Bureau (CCLB) performs state licensing regulatory duties as required by state laws and federal requirements.
Early learning and development program resources for all children, birth to age eight, especially those in highest need.
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.
Michigan is one of 20 states selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to receive the PDG B-5 renewal grant.
The PreK for All Initiative helps Michigan families save money while preparing the state’s youngest learners for kindergarten.
Resources for Michigan’s Out-of-School Time programs and providers.
Search is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
September 29, 2025
Photos available below for media use
MiLEAP and local school leaders underscore the importance of investing in programs like Kingdom Community Center to help students succeed, provide critical support for working parents
MUSKEGON, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) joined local education leaders, families, and students at the Kingdom Community Center (KCC) to highlight the impact of a $101,000 Out-of-School Time (OST) grant awarded for the 2024-25 school year. KCC serves K-8 grade students in the Muskegon community, offering certified academic instruction, enrichment activities and counseling services that keep them supported in their growth while parents are at work.
“Out-of-School Time programs like KCC are lifelines for families,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP director. “They give students the extra support and exposure they need while giving parents the peace of mind that their children are safe and learning before school, afterschool, and during the summer. MiLEAP is committed to supporting opportunities like these that keep students engaged in learning and on a path to long-term success.”
KCC was awarded $88,800 in OST funding during the 2023-24 grant year, and $101,220 during the 2024-25 grant year, allowing the center to serve an average of 40 students during both the school year and summer across extended program days. OST funding remains the primary source that enables KCC to operate, and the center has extended its program by stretching current grant dollars to continue serving students and families.
“The 32n Out-of-School Time grant allows us to move beyond just opening our doors. It gives us the resources to hire and train staff and bring in professionals for enrichment and career exposure,” said Ardena Duren, director of KCC. “It also makes it possible to bring in certified resource teachers for students who struggle academically and counseling for students who need someone to talk to. This grant helps us meet those needs so parents can work and students can keep learning.”
During the event, guests observed students participating in STEM projects supported through KCC’s partnership with Muskegon Community College (MCC). Parents also shared how the program has provided essential academic support and stability for their children, while serving as a steady resource for families.
“This program changed my children’s lives,” said Laquesha Bailey-Smith, whose four children have participated in the KCC program. “When I was told my son needed an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), the staff here sat down with me, helped me understand the process, and even went with me to the school. With their support, he no longer needs an IEP, he’s thriving on his own. KCC has been a safe place for my kids to learn and grow while I work, and it has shaped their futures in ways I never imagined. My oldest daughter is now a junior at Wayne State, inspired to give back to the community after what she experienced here.”
Across Michigan, OST grants support programs that prevent absenteeism, reduce learning loss, and give students the academic, social, and career skills they need to thrive.
“Programs like KCC show the difference safe, supportive spaces outside of school can make for students and families,” said Rawlan Lillard II, deputy director of the Office of Education Partnerships at MiLEAP. “When young people are exposed to learning and career opportunities beyond the traditional classroom, we see stronger student achievement, families who feel more confident, and students discovering who they are and who they want to become. That’s why sustaining these investments matters. The outcomes are too important for Muskegon and for Michigan.”
Over the last year, MiLEAP awarded more than $55.8 million in OST funding to 169 organizations serving youth and families at nearly 700 program sites, reaching over 72,000 students statewide.
For more information about these initiatives and others, visit Michigan.gov/MiLEAP/Education-Partnerships.
About Kingdom Community Center (KCC): KCC serves K–8 grade students in the Muskegon community, providing programs that support growth, academic enrichment, personal development, and family stability. To learn more about the center, visit KCCCenterMuskegon,org
KCC students test their designs using a ramp experiment during an after-school STEM activity.
A student colors the fin of her rocket during a hands-on STEM activity supported through Kingdom Community Center’s partnership with Muskegon Community College's STEM Lab.
A student prepares to launch a straw rocket as part of a hands-on STEM project at KCC.
Students line up to launch straw rockets under the guidance of Muskegon Community College partners.
Rawlan Lillard II, deputy director of Education Partnerships at MiLEAP, delivers remarks at Kingdom Community Center in Muskegon.
Ardena Duren, director of Kingdom Community Center, discusses how OST funding supports students and families.
Laquesha Bailey-Smith, a Muskegon mother whose four children have participated in the KCC program, shares the program’s impact on her family.
Media Contact:
