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 Preschool Development B-5 renewal grant (PDG).
The PreK for All Initiative helps Michigan families save money while preparing the state’s youngest learners for kindergarten.
The Office of Education Partnerships at MiLEAP oversees both the Governor’s Educator Advisory Council and the Michigan PreK-12 Literacy Commission.
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.
Resources for Michigan’s Out-of-School Time programs and providers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
October 28, 2025
Photos available for media use
$75 Million Budget Investment Reinforces the State’s Commitment to Helping Students Thrive Outside the Classroom
Three older students in neon green shirts guide and smile with an elementary student during a Lights On Afterschool event
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) joined Governor Gretchen Whitmer and partners across the state last week to celebrate Lights On Afterschool Day in Michigan, highlighting the importance of afterschool programs in helping children learn, grow and thrive beyond the school day.
“Before- and after-school programs give kids a safe place to learn, do homework, and make friends while their parents are at work,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m proud that our seventh education budget supports kids and saves parents money by expanding before-and after-school programs in schools across our state. This year’s Lights On Afterschool Day was another example of how we’re working together to empower every student and help more families ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
“Afterschool programs open doors to new experiences and help students discover their strengths beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “They connect learning to life, and that connection can often change a child’s trajectory. Through Lights on Afterschool, we were pleased to celebrate the educators and organizations who keep the lights on for Michigan’s students and remind families that learning doesn’t end when the school day does.”
Each October, Lights On Afterschool is celebrated nationally to highlight the achievements of afterschool students and educators while raising awareness about the need for accessible, high-quality programs. More than 90 organizations across Michigan joined thousands nationwide in hosting events that brought students, families, and community members together to share stories, showcase achievements, and spotlight the importance of expanded learning opportunities.
Lights on Afterschool messages reached approximately 7.6 million people across social media, shining a light on the growing demand for afterschool opportunities. According to the Afterschool Alliance, approximately 30 million families across the nation say they would enroll their child in an afterschool program if one were available in their community.
“This demand speaks volumes about how vital these programs are for students and families,” said Rawlan Lillard II, deputy director for the Office of Education Partnerships at MILEAP. “While many states continue to struggle with sustaining access, Michigan is leading by example, investing in opportunities that support students before school, after school, and during the summer. Our commitment helps ensure that learning doesn’t stop when the final bell rings.”
More than 90,000 Michigan students participated last year in hands-on learning, enrichment, and academic support through nearly 700 OST program sites statewide.
These efforts are made possible through the state’s sustained investment in expanded learning, with $75 million included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to support organizations that deliver safe, high-quality programming before school, after school, and during the summer months. The grant application for the 2025–26 program cycle is currently open.
To learn more about Lights on Afterschool and find highlights from this year’s events, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.
For more information about Out-of-School time and other initiatives, visit Michigan.gov/MiLEAP/Education-Partnerships.
###
Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from preschool to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.
Two girls smiling while reaching over a fence to pet a friendly goat at a Lights On Afterschool event
Two boys smiling at the camera, one dressed as Superman and the other wearing a traffic cone costume, during a Lights On Afterschool Day event
Elementary student smiling as they get off of a white horse at a Lights On Afterschool event
Media Contact:
