Public Policy Associates, Inc. (PPA) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Office of Great Start were awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families to explore opportunities to increase access to quality child care for Michigan families.
This planning grant will result in a stakeholder-informed, mixed-methods research design. The design will examine how administrative complexity affects participation in the state’s child care subsidy program, particularly in connection with provider payments and family co-payments. The study will focus on the impact of administrative procedures on recipient families, child care providers, caseworkers, and other State staff.
PPA is using a collaborative research model that gives stakeholder advisory groups an important role in shaping research questions and data-collection approaches. Data collection is expected to include surveys, the use of panels, and secondary data. With this project, Michigan will be positioned to improve upon its program processes and facilitate access to child care that is equitable, affordable, promotes children’s development, and meets parents’ needs. The project begins in October and will continue through March 2023.
If you have any questions about this project or would like to know more about PPA’s work in child care, feel free to contact Colleen Graber at cgraber@publicpolicy.com.