Good News In Michigan

The following is an AI-generated overview of the positive news coming out of Michigan regarding child care.

A new state-supported program in Michigan is being launched to help child care providers offer health insurance and other benefits to their employees. This pilot program, called Nurture Benefits, is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). It aims to address the high rates of uninsured or Medicaid-reliant workers in the early education sector by creating a marketplace where providers can purchase benefits like health insurance, 401(k)s, and life/disability insurance. 

Key aspects of the program: 

• Target Audience: Licensed child care providers (both those licensed and license-exempt) in Michigan who employ individuals working 30 hours or more per week. 

• Benefit Offerings: The program allows providers to offer employees a range of benefits including health insurance, retirement savings plans (401(k)), and life/disability insurance. 

• State Subsidy: The state is providing a subsidy to make these benefits more affordable for employers, especially smaller businesses. 

• Partnership: SBAM is administering the program and working with insurance carriers to negotiate rates on behalf of participating providers. 

• Enrollment: Open enrollment is expected to begin in the fall of 2025, with benefits becoming effective January 1, 2026. 

• Funding: The program is funded by a three-year, $33 million federal early childhood grant awarded to MiLEAP. 

• Goals: The program aims to improve the total compensation for early educators, bringing it closer to K-12 teachers, and to address the high rates of uninsured child care workers