September 14, 2026
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has selected seven organizations to serve as Great Start to Quality (GSQ) Resource Centers, strengthening regional support and coordination within the state’s early childhood system.
Beginning Oct. 1, the GSQ Resource Centers have been awarded to operate across 10 regions aligned with Michigan’s 10 economic development regions. This alignment will make it easier for partners to coordinate services and support communities across the state.
GSQ is Michigan’s quality recognition and improvement system for early care and education programs. The Resource Centers provide direct support to families and providers, offering information, resources, coaching and connections to local programs and services.
“Strong early childhood systems depend on strong regional partnerships that can connect families and providers with the information, resources, and support they need,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, executive director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). “By welcoming these organizations to operate our Great Start to Quality Resource Centers and aligning them with Michigan’s existing economic development regions, we’re strengthening connections between communities and the resources available to them.”
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) administered the competitive selection process with funding support from MiLEAP.
“By bringing together statewide standards with local expertise, these Great Start to Quality Resource Centers will help Michigan build a more connected and coordinated early childhood system,” said Alicia Guevara, CEO of ECIC. “We look forward to partnering with the organizations selected to serve families and providers in communities across all 10 regions.”
“Strong community relationships are essential to helping families and child care providers navigate the resources available to them,” said Synthia Britton, interim deputy director overseeing MiLEAP’s Office of Early Education. “These Great Start to Quality Resource Centers combine local expertise with statewide resources and support, helping strengthen early learning opportunities for children and the providers who serve them.”
Great Start to Quality Resource Centers
The 10 Resource Centers and the regions they will serve are:
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Economic Development Organization Regions + Counties Covered |
Awarded Organizations |
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Region 1 - Upper Peninsula Region Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft |
Community Coordinated Child Care Association of the UP |
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Region 2 - Northwest Region Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford |
Networks Northwest |
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Region 3 - Northeast Region Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon |
Crawford-Oscoda-Ogemaw-Roscommon (COOR) Intermediate School District |
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Region 4 - West Michigan Region Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa |
Vibrant Futures |
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Region 5 - East Central Michigan Region Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw |
Saginaw Intermediate School District |
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Region 6 - East Michigan Region Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola |
Child Care Network |
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Region 7 - South Central Region Clinton, Eaton, Ingham |
Vibrant Futures |
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Region 8 - Southwest Region Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Van Buren |
Child Care Network |
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Region 9 - Southeast Michigan Region Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Washtenaw |
Child Care Network |
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Region 10 - Detroit Metro Region Macomb, Oakland, Wayne |
Leaps and Bounds Family Services |
The selected Resource Centers will support both Licensed Providers and License Exempt Providers (LEPs) in their regions. LEPs are important to Michigan’s mixed-delivery system offering care for children in either their home as family-related providers or in the child’s home as unrelated providers.
A regional approach to child care resources
The GSQ Resource Centers will work alongside Regional Child Care Coalitions, Family Child Care Networks, Early Learning Partnerships, and other partners to strengthen support for child care providers, expand access to statewide practice-based coaching and technical assistance, and help communities address local child care needs. As roles continue to evolve, Early Learning Partnerships will also help strengthen connections between families and the early childhood system.
“High-quality early learning begins with strong relationships and support for the educators and providers who serve young children,” said Joan Blough, vice president of Innovation and Evaluation at ECIC. “The Great Start to Quality Resource Centers will bring expertise, coaching, and regional connections together to help providers continuously improve and strengthen the experiences they provide for children and families.”
This work supports Governor Whitmer’s Every Child Reads statewide literacy initiative by strengthening the early learning experiences that help children build foundational language, literacy, and communication skills before they enter kindergarten.
Through GSQ, Michigan is helping early childhood programs access high-quality resources and practices that support children’s development and prepare them for future reading success. GSQ also connects families with literacy and learning resources they can use at home and information about programs that fit their needs, including free, high-quality PreK.
Families can, visit MiPreKforAll.org to learn more about free PreK options.
For more information about GSQ Resource Centers or the selection process, contact greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org.
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About MiLEAP:
Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from birth 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.
About ECIC
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) is Michigan’s leading public–private organization focused on improving early childhood outcomes. Established by the state to advance a comprehensive early childhood system, ECIC works with communities, businesses, policymakers, and families to increase public and private investment in the earliest years and elevate issues impacting young children and their families. Through innovative programs, research, and partnerships, ECIC helps ensure that every child in Michigan has the opportunity to thrive in school and in life. Learn more at ecic4kids.org.
About Great Start to Quality:
Great Start to Quality is Michigan’s quality recognition and improvement system for early care and education programs. Funded by MiLEAP and administered by ECIC, Great Start to Quality helps child care providers strengthen the quality of their programs through information, consultation, coaching, professional development, and other supports. It also provides families with information about early care and education programs and helps connect them with resources as they explore child care options.
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