Southwest Michigan’s Regional Child Care Plan, developed by Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, represents a comprehensive, data-driven approach to transforming the region’s early childhood landscape. The plan, titled “When Early Childhood Works, We All Work,” was published last summer and addresses the complex web of issues that have created barriers to accessible, high-quality child care.

“The plan recognizes that child care challenges extend far beyond individual families,” explains Aguilar. “When parents cannot find reliable, affordable child care, they may be forced to leave the workforce, reduce their hours, or turn down job opportunities. This creates a ripple effect that impacts businesses, economic growth, and community prosperity.”

The child care crisis in Southwest Michigan mirrors challenges faced across the state and nation. Working parents often struggle to find quality care that fits their schedules and budgets, while child care providers face their own set of challenges including low wages, high turnover, and inadequate resources to expand services.

The regional approach embodied in this plan acknowledges that child care solutions must be tailored to local needs while leveraging regional coordination and resources. By working across county lines and organizational boundaries, the initiative aims to create systemic change that benefits families, businesses, and communities throughout Southwest Michigan.

“We are fortunate to have so many partners at work on this critical issue. Each county in our region has an implementation team comprised of cross-sector stakeholders working on local solutions,” says Aguilar.

Implementation leads include the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce, Branch County Community Foundation, Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, Sturgis Area Community Foundation and the Michigan Transformation Collective. With leadership from each of these organizations, county teams meet monthly to advance Southwest Michigan’s child care plan.

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s investment in this initiative demonstrates the state’s commitment to addressing child care challenges through regional, collaborative approaches. The corporation has been instrumental in supporting innovative solutions across Michigan, recognizing that different regions may need different strategies to address their unique child care needs.

“Implementation of the Child Care Plan will require sustained effort and continued collaboration among multiple partners,” explains Aguilar. “The foundation’s role as lead organization positions it to coordinate resources, facilitate partnerships, and ensure that the plan’s ambitious goals translate into real improvements for families and businesses throughout Southwest Michigan.”

As the implementation continues, the foundation and its partners will focus on creating lasting change that ensures Southwest Michigan’s children, families, and businesses all have access to the high-quality early childhood resources they need to thrive. The underlying premise remains clear: when early childhood works, the entire community benefits.

For more information about the Sturgis Area Community Foundation’s child care initiative, contact Elizabeth Whitehead at elizabeth@sturgisfoundation.org. To learn more about Southwest Michigan’s Child Care Plan and resources for employers, visit the Pulse Roadmap at pulseroadmap.org.