Regional Child Care Coalitions
What is the Coalition?
We are a group of community members who are working to bridge the gap between child care providers, families, and businesses. We are aiming to share, align and take action towards improving and strengthening Early Childhood Systems.
Using our coalition members’ unique lived experiences, we are working toward a stronger early childhood system for our community. Our coalition is one of ten across Michigan participating in this state-funded initiative, with support secured through 2030 to help create lasting impact for children, families, and providers.
If you are passionate about childcare and strengthening our community, we want to hear your experiences and perspectives.
Who is on the Coalition?
Our Regional Child Care Coalition is made up of more than 200 community members representing diverse perspectives and shared commitment to strengthening the early childhood system. Coalition members include:
✓ Early Childhood Providers (Center & Home-Based)
✓ Economic Development Organizations (EDOs)
✓ Regional Employers & Business Leaders
✓ Municipal Leaders & Policy Makers
✓ Parents & Caregivers (Parent Advisory Board)
✓ Educators, Community Organizations, & Advocates
We welcome anyone who is passionate about childcare, family support, and community collaboration. By bringing together lived experiences, professional expertise, and regional partnerships, coalition members work together to identify challenges, implement strategies, and create solutions that support children, families, providers, and communities across our region.
How We Work
Our coalition comes together through quarterly full coalition meetings that serve as opportunities to connect, collaborate, and guide regional decision-making. Supporting this work are five focused working groups and a Parent Advisory Board, which act as the driving force of the coalition by addressing key areas of the childcare crisis and bringing recommendations and insights back to the full coalition. The working groups convene monthly to implement regional strategies and solutions that address their specific focus areas within the childcare system.
In addition, the regional childcare coalitions help administer the Early Educator Wage Initiative, a statewide effort to supplement wages for early educators across Michigan and strengthen the childcare workforce.
Serving Regions 6 and 9
As the Lead Organization, we support and coordinate two Regional Child Care Coalitions across Michigan, helping strengthen early childhood systems through collaboration, strategic planning, and community-driven solutions.
Region 6 – East Central Michigan
Serving communities across:
• Genesee
• Huron
• Lapeer
• Sanilac
• Shiawassee
• St. Clair
• Tuscola
Region 9 – Southeast Michigan
Serving communities across:
• Hillsdale
• Jackson
• Lenawee
• Livingston
• Monroe
• Washtenaw
Through these regional coalitions, we bring together childcare providers, families, employers, policymakers, and community leaders to address local childcare challenges and build stronger systems that support children, families, and the workforce.
Early Educator Wage Initiative
The Early Educator Wage Initiative is a state-funded effort designed to support and strengthen Michigan’s childcare workforce by increasing take-home pay for early childhood educators. Operating alongside the Regional Child Care Coalitions, this 20-month initiative helps provide direct wage supplements to educators working in licensed childcare programs across the state.
Through the administration of this initiative across Regions 6 and 9, our coalition has distributed more than $3.27 million in wage supplements, supporting both childcare programs and the educators who care for children every day.
Impact Across Our Regions
Programs Served
• Region 6: 65 Programs
• Region 9: 53 Programs
Educators Supported
• Region 6: 235 Educators
• Region 9: 220 Educators
By investing in early educators, this initiative helps strengthen the childcare workforce, improve retention, and support the long-term stability of childcare services for families and communities across Michigan.
Meet the Team
Oliver Burnstein
Community Programs Manager – Regional Initiatives
Leads and coordinates the Region 6 & 9 Regional Child Care Coalitions, supporting community collaboration, strategic initiatives, and regional partnerships focused on strengthening early childhood systems.
📧 oburnstein@childcarenetwork.org
📞 (734) 768-1773
Ana Johnson
Community Programs Coordinator – Region 6
Leads and coordinates the Region 6 & 9 Regional Child Care Coalitions, supporting community collaboration, strategic initiatives, and regional partnerships focused on strengthening early childhood systems.
📧 oburnstein@childcarenetwork.org
📞 (734) 768-1773
Nick Hogenbirk
Community Programs Coordinator – Region 9
Leads and coordinates the Region 6 & 9 Regional Child Care Coalitions, supporting community collaboration, strategic initiatives, and regional partnerships focused on strengthening early childhood systems.
📧 oburnstein@childcarenetwork.org
📞 (734) 768-1773