MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Early Childhood Investment Corporation has just awarded two U.P. nonprofits with a total of $184,000.
The grant will coordinate the implementation of the U.P. Childcare Action Plan and the Family Child Care Network.
The Lake Superior Community Partnership says it will use $99,000 to expand the reach of its Childcare SPARK program.
“Currently, that’s only in Marquette County because that program was seated and developed using Marquette County funds as well as statewide equity funds,” LSCP CEO Christopher Germain said. “But now, that will be expanded to five other counties. Hopefully, eventually, we can scale it to U.P.-wide.”
The SPARK initiative provides families with the care they need so parents can engage in or re-enter the workforce.
Germain also says these funds will help ensure in-home child care providers always have qualified teachers.
“To operate a substitute teacher work pool,” Germain said. “This will help child care providers when their employees are sick. They can bring in someone from the outside and they don’t have to close down and impact everyone’s child care and and a number of other items in the action plan.”
The second organization to receive money is 4C of the Upper Peninsula.
Executive Director Deb Dupras says $85,000 is going to providing access to professional development opportunities.
“For instance, right now, we hear challenging behaviors,” Dupras said. “If our cohort comes together and says that’s a topic that is impacting the care that we are offering, we will be able to support them in ideas.”
She also says the Family Child Care Network will hold monthly virtual and in-person meetings to share resources and offer peer support.
Both agencies say these grants will be a vital step toward resolving the child care shortage.
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