Building a Brighter Future for Our Children and Workforce
A cross-sector partnership dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, affordable childcare across the Northeast Michigan region.
Families: Your Voice Can Help Shape Child Care in Hale & Plainfield Township
Join Develop Iosco’s Region 3 Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition for a community meeting created for parents and families with children ages 6 months to 12 years. Learn about a possible child care center in Hale, and get updates on a summer program planned for 2027.
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | 6–7 p.m. | Eagle Point Plaza, Hale
Sign up by Friday, August 14, 2026: https://tinyurl.com/SSRCCC
Parents who register ahead of time will be paid for attending. Eligible parents can receive $50 per hour for travel and meeting time, up to 2 hours; $25 per hour for child care, up to 2 hours; and mileage reimbursement at 70 cents per mile.
Why Childcare Matters to the Sunrise Side
Affordable and accessible childcare is crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life in our region. Our work addresses the childcare crisis, which impacts parents’ ability to work, employers’ capacity to hire, and the developmental success of our youngest residents.
Economic Stability
We aim to remove childcare barriers to allow full workforce participation, boosting local businesses and driving economic development across the region.
Child Development
By supporting high-quality providers, we ensure that children have the best possible start, equipping them with essential skills for school and life.
Community Collaboration
We bring together educators, parents, employers, and government to develop scalable and sustainable regional solutions.
Led by Regional Experts
The Coalition is powered by dedicated partners committed to regional prosperity.
Lead Organization
Develop Iosco
Develop Iosco facilitates economic development and capacity-building initiatives, recognizing childcare as a critical component of a thriving local economy and high quality of life for residents.
Co-Lead Organization
NEMCOG
The Northeast Michigan Council of Governments provides essential regional planning, research, and technical assistance, guiding the Coalition’s data-driven approach to solving the childcare desert problem.
Lead Organization
Develop Iosco
Develop Iosco facilitates economic development and capacity-building initiatives, recognizing childcare as a critical component of a thriving local economy and high quality of life for residents.
Co-Lead Organization
NEMCOG
The Northeast Michigan Council of Governments provides essential regional planning, research, and technical assistance, guiding the Coalition’s data-driven approach to solving the childcare desert problem.
Exciting News: Applications for the Early Educator Wage Initiative are now open!
The Wage Initiative is a two-year initiative to increase take-home pay for early childhood educators employed in licensed child care programs (including centers, family and group homes, Head Start programs and Great Start Readiness Programs) across Michigan. Supporting early childhood educators is key to Michigan’s broader economy. Families and businesses rely on strong, stable child care to keep parents in the workforce.
Childcare Needs Assessment
in Iosco, Ogemaw, & Arenac Counties
We conducted a survey to gather quantitative and qualitative data on the demand for, and availability of, childcare slots in our region. Your feedback as parents, employers, and childcare providers will now help develop real solutions. When analysis of survey results is complete, we’ll share the results here as well as in the communities that participated.
For Coalition Members: Tracking and Reporting
Help us measure the collective impact of the Coalition by tracking and documenting regional Systems Changes and Small Wins. This data is vital for our progress reports and future strategy.
Celebrate your progress!
🔏 Coalition members only.
Systems Change
A major shift in policy, practice, or resource allocation
(e.g., a new zoning code making expansion easier).
Small Win
A concrete step showing progress toward a larger change (e.g., a meeting agenda item, key conversation, or commitment).