The CDC scholarship is a federally funded program that helps eligible families pay for child care, often covering most or all costs and paying providers directly. It is administered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). 

“Access to affordable child care can be life-changing for families,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, MiLEAP director. “It reduces financial stress, supports parents’ ability to work or go to school, and ensures children are in stable, high-quality learning environments during their most important developmental years.” 

Across Michigan, families are using the scholarship to pursue education, maintain employment, and create more stable home environments. The program recently reached record enrollment, supporting 47,548 children from 28,857 families through partnerships and 6,325 child care businesses as of March 2026. 

For Ashley Jarvis, a mother of four in northern Michigan, the CDC scholarship has been transformative. Jarvis, who works as a night shift manager while finishing her GED and preparing for a new career, once struggled to afford reliable child care. Now her costs are fully covered. 

“It has been a blessing to not have to stress out about child care,” Jarvis said. “I haven’t had to pay hardly anything in more than a year. I even called to make sure everything was right because it felt too good to be true. I am truly grateful for this scholarship.” 

With reliable care in place, Jarvis can focus on completing her education while her daughter, Raelynn, benefits from a high-quality early learning environment. 

“There’s no way I’d be as far as I am professionally right now without it,” Jarvis said. “Being able to have my daughter in a quality child care program means I can work and focus on school for myself, because not working isn’t an option when you’re a homeowner and raising kids. My daughter has also learned so much. She hasn’t even started kindergarten yet and she can spell words she sees at the grocery store. She’s so smart, and she loves it there.” 

Providers say the program also strengthens their ability to serve families.  

“I want to make sure every family can access care, no matter their background or ability to pay,” said Martina De Los Santos, owner of Alexa’s Children’s Home and Daycare in Wyoming. “This scholarship makes it possible for children to be in a loving, high-quality environment. It means parents can go to work or go to school while their children are learning and growing. That’s huge for families.” 

De Los Santos, who has operated her in-home program for five years and currently serves 12 children, including several who receive the scholarship, said the program has also improved reliability for both families and providers. 

“The CDC program has improved so much in the last five years especially in communication and the application process for parents. Everything is moving quicker,” said De Los Santos. “Payments are very reliable. I don’t have to wait on families, and that makes a big difference for providers like myself.” 

For Rachel Lanenga of Battle Creek, the scholarship has been a lifeline for her family. A full-time pre-kindergarten teacher who is also taking college classes, Lanenga relies on child care for her two young children, Victor, 6, and Kobe, 3, both of whom have been in care since they were infants. 

“This scholarship has helped us so much. Without it, I would probably have to stay home but it would be hard because we can’t live off just my husband’s income,” Lanenga said. “Attending child care is a routine my children are used to, and it’s been really important for them. They’re learning, growing, and being around other kids. I would recommend child care to anybody.” 

The support has also provided stability for Lanenga’s children, especially during difficult times. When her youngest son was born prematurely and spent time in the NICU, having reliable care for her older child allowed her family to manage an already challenging situation. 

While challenges in the child care system persist, Michigan is continuing to invest in solutions that expand access and support families and providers. Programs like the CDC scholarship are helping more families afford care, enter and remain in the workforce, and ensure children are in safe, high-quality learning environments.  

“Parents shouldn’t have to choose between their paycheck and their child’s well-being,” said Emily Laidlaw, deputy director at MiLEAP overseeing the Office of Early Education. “The CDC scholarship helps remove that barrier, giving families peace of mind and the stability they need to succeed.” 

Additional information about the CDC scholarship and other early childhood supports is available on MiLEAP’s Office of Early Education webpage. 

About MiLEAP: 

Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from birth to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.