Small Business Association applauds expanded access to child care through MI Tri-Share Child Care program

The Small Business Association of Michigan on Wednesday applauded the expansion of the MI Tri-Share Child Care Program, designed to increase access to high-quality, affordable childcare for working families.

“The childcare crisis is greatly impacting Michigan’s small businesses as employees with young children struggle to find quality care,” said SBAM President and CEO Brian Calley.

“High-quality, consistent and affordable care creates proper stability for employers and parents, which is why the Tri-Share program is such a game changer for everyone.”

The Tri-Share program splits the cost of childcare equally by an eligible employee, their employer and the State of Michigan, with coordination provided regionally by a facilitator hub. This week the State of Michigan announced the addition of seven new facilitator hubs for the program, which now means Tri-Share, which was launched in March 2021, has 10 facilitator hubs and now covers 59 of Michigan’s 83 counties.

SBAM has been a longtime advocate in finding solutions to deal with the childcare crisis and participated in a coalition of business voices, legislators, state leaders and children advocacy groups to come up with the Tri-Share system.

“Tri-Share is a prime example of what happens when everyone puts their heads together to solve a problem for the greater good," Alexa Kramer, SBAM’s Director of Government Operations. “This program is helping tackle a workforce barrier for employees, providing more affordable childcare to families and more childcare providers enrolling children full time.”

For additional information about Tri-Share, visit Michigan.gov/Tri-Share.

The Small Business Association of Michigan focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community through advocacy, collaboration and buying power. Today its serves 30,000 members in all 83 counties of Michigan. For additional information, visit www.sbam.org.