GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan—With schools out until April 13th per a “Stay Safe, Stay Home” order from Governor Whitmer, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for parents that work in essential work sectors like grocery store personnel, or healthcare workers to find consistent childcare.
Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) in partnership with Child Care Network, is offering assistance for essential workers with children age 0-12 years old.
Care Network is a nonprofit organization that exists to help low to moderate-income families access quality child care with child care scholarships through their Family Support Program. They are based out of Ann Arbor and offer assistance to children, families, and child care providers in the Southeastern Michigan counties of Genesee, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, and Washtenaw.
Inquiries can be taken through their hotline number 591-KIDS. Anyone in need of childcare assistance can call from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and speak with a GISD staffer. Calls that can not be immediately answered are forwarded to an email system that will be followed up with everyone who leaves a message.
Parents can also fill out the Genesee County Essential Staff Child Care Interest Form online.
Although the volume of intake has been low as of late, GISD assures they will be prepared should that change.
“We have received a few dozen calls to date and have been able to work with these individuals in cooperation with Child Care Network to identify existing vacancies in child care centers in our community.” says Steven Tunnicliff, Associate Superintendent of the GISD, “At this point, we have not exceeded current capacity and thus have not had to open any GISD-operated emergency overflow child care centers to date. However, we are poised to meet that need if and when it arises.”
For more information visit the GISD Child Care for Essential Workforce page.
This piece was written as part of an underwriting series with Genesee Intermediate School District to promote an understanding of county-wide educational programming.
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