Imperative 6
Investments in the Child Care System is Critical
We’re working to understand the full cost of a high-functioning early childhood system.
We are improving or renovating 16,000 seats in existing programs and working to lift the heavy cost burden affecting providers & families.
36.2% of families are currently living above the ALICE threshold.
67% of early childhood professionals cite low wages as their biggest staffing issue.
Funding for early child care and education is essential for children and families and for local and state economies to thrive. Well-funded systems support child development, learning, and support to working families with high-quality child care. This allows parents to stay in the workforce.
We’re addressing affordability issues by creating a solid foundation with public and private funding to meet the needs of families and child care providers who and are not served well by the current cost of care.
With our focus on affordable child care programs with well-paid and well-prepared staff and teachers, we’re working to increase funding and create a sustainable financial plan to take us into the future.
Lead Organization
Find Out More
We are working to ensure equitable access to resources by evaluating and repairing the city’s data systems to better connect families to resources that will help them. Find out the latest on the Hope Starts Here blog and on our Lead Organization's website.
The Latest
Hope Starts Here Work Advancing Prek for All in Michigan
Each team at Hope Starts Here is focused on furthering Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s vision for PreK for All, a bold goal to provide every four-year-old in Michigan with access to free Prekindergarten (PreK) by 2027. To support these efforts, we’re building connections with other programs and initiatives within the state’s birth-to-five early learning and care system. Learn more about what we’re doing on the Hope Starts Here blog.