Plan shaped by parent leaders, state partners, funders and communities sets four priorities through 2029, starting with growing Michigan’s child care industry
LANSING, Mich. — The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) today released its Three-Year Living Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2027–2029, a roadmap for advancing its vision that all young children and their families in Michigan thrive. The plan arrives as families face rising costs and federal funding uncertainty, and as Michigan prepares to welcome a new governor.
The plan was built with the people closest to the work. Between January and April 2026, ECIC held more than 30 listening sessions and surveys with parent leaders, ECIC staff and board members, state agencies, intermediate school districts, regional partners, advocacy organizations and philanthropy.
“Families told us what they need, and partners across Michigan told us where ECIC can lead and contribute the most to improve the prenatal-to-age five system,” said Alicia Guevara, CEO of ECIC. “This plan builds on 21 years of work by sharpening our focus so every child, starting at birth, has the support to thrive, ensuring that early childhood stays a top priority for Michigan no matter who is in office.”
The plan centers on four interdependent pillars:
Grow Michigan’s Child Care Industry, so families have access to high-quality, affordable early care and education. Strategies include advancing a road map toward universal child care, fair compensation for early educators, expanding home-based and infant-toddler care, and building supply in all 10 economic development regions.
Elevate Family and Parent Leadership, so families’ experiences and voices shape early childhood systems, including scaling the National Center for Family and Parent Leadership as a resource for Michigan and the nation.
Shape and Advance Public Policy, so the early childhood system works for all children and families, through nonpartisan policymaker education, coalition building and public will-building.
Strengthen Operational, Cultural and Strategic Alignment, so ECIC has the internal systems, culture and diversified funding to deliver lasting impact.
The stakes are high for families and for Michigan’s economy. Insufficient child care capacity costs the state an estimated $2.88 billion in lost economic activity every year. More than four in 10 Michiganders live in a child care desert, and just 1% of early childhood educators earn enough to support a family of their own.
ECIC enters this chapter with a strong track record. Its Child Care Innovation Fund has distributed more than $23 million through 134 grants to Michigan early childhood partners and businesses. The Think Babies Michigan coalition has mobilized more than 2,500 members behind a unified early childhood agenda. ECIC’s parent leadership practice, which compensates parents and shares decision-making power with them, is recognized nationally.
As a living plan, it will be updated each year. After Year 1, ECIC will begin planning for Year 4, keeping the direction steady while responding to a changing landscape. ECIC will track progress through a Results-Based Accountability framework.
The full plan and a one-page summary are available here.
