Advocacy News – Oct. 2, 2024
What’s new: In September, the Michigan Chamber hosted our first childcare roundtable, exclusive to MI Chamber members, to hear from stakeholders on how the MI Chamber should address the childcare crisis moving forward. At the virtual table were childcare providers, employers from every industry with a vast array of needs, and leading state and national childcare experts.
What happened: The conversation emphasized the complexity of needs for the childcare industry. To find solutions, the crisis needs to be viewed through a holistic lens. The cost of childcare is too high, childcare providers don’t make enough, the industry historically experiences a high turnover rate, and we need qualified providers to fill the countless open positions. It’s a tough issue.
What’s next: Because of the number of issues that plague the childcare industry, the solutions were many. No one policy change will be the silver bullet, but the roundtable discussed the following as options: tax incentives for businesses to get involved in childcare, further improvements, expansion of MI’s Tri-Share program, lessening regulatory barriers, funding to build centers in childcare deserts, and helping providers navigate the multiple layers of government for licensing.
If you weren’t able to attend and would like to share your thoughts, please contact Leah Robinson.