Early Educator Wage Initiative
Wage Boost
Application Information for Region 8 – Southwest Michigan
The Early Educator Wage Initiative, also called the Wage Boost, is an exciting opportunity to support licensed child care programs and the early educators who care for children every day. This effort is part of MiLEAP’s broader strategy to strengthen Michigan’s early learning system by addressing key barriers such as low compensation and high turnover that affect the quality and consistency of early learning experiences.
In Region 8, the initiative is being administered by the Southwest Michigan Child Care Coalition in partnership with:
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Pulse @ the W.E. Upjohn Institute
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Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District (GOISD)
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Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)
Before you apply, please read all of the information on this page and review the attached documents.
Who Can Apply
All licensed child care programs located in the following Southwest Michigan counties are eligible and encouraged to apply:
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Berrien
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Branch
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Calhoun
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Cass
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Kalamazoo
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St. Joseph
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Van Buren
Application Timeline
Friday, December 12, 2025 by 5:00 PM EST
Eligible programs include:
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Child care centers
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Group child care homes
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Family child care homes
Application Link
Ready to Apply?
Documents Available for Download
The following materials are available to help you prepare:
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FAQ Document
Answers to common questions about eligibility, the Wage Boost, and how payments will work. -
Copy of the Application
A PDF or document version of the application so you can review all questions in advance and gather the required information before completing the online form.
FAQ DOC
APPLICATION PREVIEW