Michigan’s Childcare Program May Influence National Policy
Michigan’s innovative approach to childcare funding, known as the MI Tri-Share program, is drawing attention for its potential to reshape federal policy. The program uniquely distributes childcare costs among the state, working families, and employers.
Launched as a pilot initiative in 2021, the program has been touted as a success by Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-MI 3). Alongside her Republican co-sponsor Rep. John James (R-MI 10), Scholten has introduced a bill to secure federal funding to expand the program nationwide.
Scholten shared her vision at a Grand Rapids event, stating, “By diffusing the cost over three participants and payers, you create a more stable model that we hope will have long-term staying power, and parents, employers, and, again, the state can rely on it.”
The press conference highlighted the benefits of the Tri-Share program, with strong endorsements from several speakers. Chana Edmond-Verley, CEO of Vibrant Futures, emphasized the importance of the bill for making childcare affordable. “This national Tri-Share legislation is strategic. It’s catalytic, you guys, and it’s a breakthrough driver in economic development for all of us achieving shared prosperity,” she remarked.
Since its inception, adoption of the program in Michigan has been gradual but is on an upward trajectory. The latest evaluation report from Fiscal Year 2024 reveals that by March, 550 employees were participating—nearly double the number from the previous year. However, the number of participating employers remains a limiting factor.
Scholten is optimistic about the incentives the bill provides for widespread participation, noting, “Access to affordable and high-quality childcare is a No. 1 barrier cited to a lot of working parents thinking about getting back into the workforce after having a child, and so employers are going to want to participate because it’s going to give them access to a workforce pool that they didn’t have access to before.”
While Michigan leads the way, similar Tri-Share programs have been trialed in Kentucky, Indiana, and North Carolina. The proposed federal bill seeks to allocate $250 million annually for three years to pilot the program nationally, with states eligible for grants up to $20 million based on specific criteria.
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