TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 17, 2023 — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced this week the awarding of grants to several organizations that will train and support child care workers. Michigan Works! Northwest Consortium will receive $120,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funding. The grants are part of the governor’s Caring for MI Future initiative to create or expand 1,000 child care centers by the end of next year. After the announcement, state Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) issued the following statement:
“One of my biggest priorities from day one has been making child care more available in our communities. The lack of available slots has a significant downward effect on the local economy. This funding to provide child-care worker apprenticeships will provide more opportunities for kids to get quality care and for parents to enter or reenter the workforce.”