Innovation | Tri-Share Pilot Program
Tri-Share is an innovative public/private partnership that equally shares the cost of child care between employers, employees, and the state of Michigan. This initiative, led by the Grand Rapids Chamber and a coalition of partners around the state, was developed to address the childcare crisis that our communities are facing. This initiative is the first of its kind child care support program in the country is now in 57 counties across Michigan and is currently enrolling participants. This program offers a unique and innovative way of thinking about child care funding, accessibility, and affordability. A few major highlights:
- Five pilot programs in 57 counties across Michigan
- Splits the cost of child care between state, families, and businesses
- Families, businesses, and providers would work with a Facilitator Hub that can identify supply from the provider side, and demand from Facilitator Hubs will also be the fiduciary and administrative arm.
- Businesses elect to be in this pilot and have the opportunity to offer this benefit to their employees
- Eligible employees must earn between 186% to 300% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL)
- Child care becomes more affordable for families, allowing for parents to climb the economic ladder.
Benefits for Business
- Employers are, now more than ever, aware that child care is a barrier to employment.
- Employers have the opportunity to opt-into this hub that allows employers to invest and retain their talent.
- During these uncertain times, business owners know that being a part of this hub gives their employees peace of mind and their business stability.
Benefits for Providers
- Our child care industry has taken a Being a part of the pilot gives providers access to the facilitator hub that provides administrative support to navigate these uncertain times.
- Working directly with local employers provides long-term security.
Benefits for Families
- Employees see their child care bill reduced, allowing them to better provide for their families and/or enter the workforce at a price point that works better for their family’s pocket.
- Employer engagement and the facilitator hub takes some of the guesswork out of searching for a reliable child care facility.
- Long term, business engagement will demand higher quality facilities for their employees, leading to an increased level of care.
Learn More
- Learn more by visiting the State of Michigan’s Official Webpage for Tri-Share here (opens in new window).
- Learn more about the program guidelines here (opens in new window).
- Recent Chamber Articles:
In the News
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- Michigan offers labor shortage solutions – but cutting unemployment is off the table (opens in new window)
- Top Chamber Priority Receives 370m in State Budget
- Child care more affordable through innovative, bipartisan cost-sharing program (opens in new window)
- Early Childhood care in the U.S. is in crisis (opens in new window)
- Two West Michigan nonprofits named ‘hubs’ for state child care pilot program (opens in new window)
- Program to help workers afford child care coming to the lakeshore (opens in new window)
