Advocate for Cost Sharing Initiatives
Municipal leaders can support working families in their communities by exploring and advocating for cost-sharing initiatives like Michigan’s Tri-Share Child Care Program. This model divides the cost of child care equally between the state, employers, and families, making high-quality care more accessible and affordable. A notable example is the City of Kalamazoo, where municipal leadership stepped in to cover the portion employers would typically pay, alleviating the financial burden on local businesses. By doing so, Kalamazoo not only supported working parents but also helped recruit and retain a stable workforce, strengthening the local economy. Municipal leaders across the country can replicate innovative cost-sharing approaches to ensure access to child care and boost economic vitality.
Next Steps: What Municipal Leadership Can Do
Engage Local Employers and Stakeholders Start by convening local employers, business leaders, and community stakeholders to assess interest in a child care cost-sharing model. Identify potential partners who could benefit from sharing child care costs, such as large employers, chambers of commerce, and regional economic development organizations.
Research and Evaluate Existing Models Explore successful cost-sharing programs, like Michigan’s Tri-Share Child Care Program, to understand how they are structured and the benefits they provide. It is important to understand how components of successful cost sharing efforts would work with the unique needs of the community you serve.
Advocate for State-Level Support Work with state officials and legislators to pilot or expand a tri-share model in your community. Advocate for state-level financial support to reduce the burden on employers and families, and highlight how these programs can improve workforce recruitment and retention while enhancing economic stability.
Develop a Local Funding Strategy Identify potential local funding sources to support the program, such as leveraging municipal budgets, tapping into community development block grants, or working with local foundations. Consider how public-private partnerships could help cover the municipal portion of the child care costs to make the program sustainable.
