LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 21, 2026) — The Capital Area Child Care Coalition (CACCC), co-led by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCM) and Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!), and 70+ coalition members has received renewed funding to continue strengthening the regional child care system across Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties.
The renewed $100,000 investment is provided through the Regional Child Care Coalition Grant, administered by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) via the State of Michigan’s MiLEAP (Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential) Department. This investment supports the CACCC as it advances priorities focused on improving the availability, affordability, and quality of child care in region.
“An important part of maintaining a successful and productive workforce in this highly competitive world is reliability, and childcare is central to connecting a reliable workforce to a successful employer,” said LEAP president and CEO Bob Trezise. “When child care works, parents can work and that is foundational to business growth and regional prosperity.”
Launched in 2023 with support from the ECIC Innovation Fund, the CACCC’s work is guided by a regional action plan developed in 2023 and continues to evolve to meet the needs of families, employers, and child care providers.
The coalition is supported by LEAP, Capital Area Michigan Works!, and United Way of South Central Michigan, along with a broad network of local business leaders, child care providers, community organizations, and parents/caregivers. LEAP serves as the grant recipient and facilitator and is not affiliated with the State of Michigan’s MiLEAP department.
“Renewed funding for the Capital Area Child Care Coalition represents a strong, continued investment in the region’s child care small businesses, their workforce, and the families they serve,” Carrie Rosingana, CEO, at CAMW! shared. “High-quality early learning and child care are essential to economic sustainability and underpin the success of every other industry in our region. Capital Area Michigan Works! is proud to continue co-leading this effort alongside LEAP and the United Way of South Central Michigan, and we look forward to the Capital Area Child Care Coalition driving even greater impact through this renewed investment.”
“We are excited to continue our partnership with MI-LEAP to foster community dialogue about child care in our region and sustain our capacity to bring the workforce and education sectors together to support high quality care for families” shared Michele Strasz, Director of Community Impact, at the United Way of South Central Michigan.
Importantly, this funding is not a grant to individual child care providers. Instead, it supports the coordination, planning, outreach, and systems-building work of the coalition to strengthen the overall child care ecosystem.
During this grant period, CACCC will focus on:
Supporting talent development within the child care industry
Increasing education and awareness among public- and private-sector stakeholders
Advancing collaboration and outreach around key child care initiatives, including programs such as Tri-Share, Pre-K for All, and other state and regional child care strategies
These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF).
