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MIRS, July 1,
2005
Licensed or registered child care providers serving low-income families
have access to $661,371 more grant dollars, thanks to a new grant program
funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and supported by the
Michigan 4H.
Thursday, Gov. Jennifer Granholm approved the Enhanced Quality Improvement
Program (EQUIP), a program designed to award 173 grants ranging from
$1,000 - $5,000, to child care providers working with low-income families.
“Quality care can help ensure our children get the great start in life
they deserve,” Granholm said.
Grants are issued to new providers as a means to increase low-income child
care throughout the state. EQUIP includes start up funds for 30 new
providers. So far, 18 counties have received start up money.
Existing providers also receive grants to build child care capacity,
support childhood development and to improve staff knowledge and caregiver
techniques. Grant money helps develop weekend programs as well as before
school and after school programs which are highly desired by low-income
families.
In February, the DHS awarded nearly $200,000 to 60 child care providers.
>From fiscal year 1998 through the current funding cycle, DHS distributed
more than $7.6 million in EQUIP grants.
For more information about the program, or to view current grantees, go to
www.michigan.gov/dhs.
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