The Infant Toddler Quality Improvement (ITQI) Grant program is an equity-centered strategy to increase the supply of high-quality infant toddler child care in Michigan. These one-time grants are designed to help programs increase capacity for infants and toddlers, and increase pay for infant and toddler teachers.
The program has three goals:
Increase Equitable Access to High Quality Infant and Toddler Care
Increase Pay Equity for the Infant and Toddler Workforce
Improve Quality in Early Learning using an Equity Lens
How It Works
Grantees will receive a one-time grant, payable in monthly installments, based on a per slot calculation. Funding amount is determined by benchmarks in Michigan’s Early Childhood True Cost Report, which established that the total estimated annual cost to fully fund high-quality infant toddler child care in Michigan ranges from $26,060 to $30,414 per child.
In addition to funding, these grants will include strategic technical assistance, designed to connect child care programs and teachers to resources that improve the quality of early learning settings for infants and toddlers.
The ITQI Grant’s capacity-building funds will allow programs to:
- Hire additional I/T teachers
- Purchase materials for I/T classrooms
- Recruit new families and/or enroll families on waiting lists
Improve pay inequities for I/T teachers through:
- Staff bonuses
- Salary increases
- Retention awards
ITQI Grants will increase classroom quality by providing funding to:
- Hire staff w/ I/T CDA or AA in ECE or above
- Enroll staff in I/T CDA programs using TEACH scholarships
- Improve business practices
- Purchase quality materials and furnishings for I/T classrooms
Who Is Eligible
Child care programs in low-supply regions are eligible for this grant if they are:
- Currently licensed to provide infant-toddler care
- Already enrolling or willing to enroll subsidy-eligible families with infants and toddlers
- Already participating or willing to participate in GSQ
Resources for Applicants
PowerPoint, FAQ, Webinar to go here.
Effective February 25, 2024, Michigan has removed the requirement to work with the Office of Child Support to receive help paying for child care. Check to see if you are now eligible!