OTTAWA AREA ISD RECEIVES GRANT TO HELP FAMILIES FIND QUALITY CHILDCARE MORE EASILY
Ottawa County, MI - Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) recently chose Ottawa Area ISD as a Child Care Innovation Fund awardee. OAISD will receive a $32,000 grant to expand the early childhood county centralized enrollment system to increase access for children and families.
Currently, childcare data only shows how many students a daycare center can serve instead of showing how many students are in attendance and how many 'spots' are still available. The new enhancement will build upon an already existing centralized enrollment and eligibility system making it easier for families to find preschool and childcare openings.
Tami Mannes Ph.D., Director of Early Childhood Services for Ottawa Area ISD, said the grant will allow OAISD to develop a system to gather 'live' childcare data to help families find child care in real-time.
“These funds allow OAISD to partner with the Western Regional Resource Center to support families to find childcare by working with providers to determine childcare availability,” Mannes said. “The generous grant funds from ECIC will support tech time, project oversight and more to help launch this beneficial service.”
“We look forward to supporting these regional and community partners as they implement innovative child care solutions for working families, communities, early educators, and employers,” Joan Blough, Senior Director of the Child Care Innovation Fund, said. “Increasing access to affordable, high-quality child care is essential to Michigan’s economic recovery and future growth.”
“We are excited to explore how these funds will support families finding care as they return to the workforce,” Mannes said.
About Early Childhood Investment Corporation:
Created in 2005 to be a statewide leader in early childhood, ECIC collaborates to increase public and private investment in the earliest years, to elevate issues affecting young children and their families, and continuously improve Michigan’s comprehensive early childhood system, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed in school and in life.
About Ottawa Area ISD:
Ottawa Area Intermediate School District works collaboratively with schools and communities to meet the educational needs of students of all ages in the Ottawa area. By pooling resources and providing services regionally, OAISD provides important programs and services to local K‐12 school districts, charter, parochial and private schools and adults in the most cost‐effective ways possible. To learn more about OAISD visit www.oaisd.org
For more information on the ECIC grant, contact Michelle Ready at 616.738-8940 x. 4093 mready@oaisd.org
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