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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Levin Press Office: 202-228-3685 Stabenow Press Office: 202-224-4822 |
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Stabenow,
Levin Announce Over $65 Million to Care for Children and Prevent
Disease in Michigan
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| WASHINGTON
— U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced
today that Michigan has been awarded $65,683,257 in American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) to support child
care for working families and to provide funding aimed at making vaccinations
available to underserved populations.
“Michigan families should not be forced to choose between providing their children with the care they need and putting food on the table,” said Stabenow. “This recovery funding will help ensure hardworking parents receive much-needed child care assistance as they continue to struggle in this economic downturn.” “Especially during tough economic times, parents should not have to worry about finding high-quality care for their children,” said Levin. “I am pleased that this economic recovery funding is going toward such an important goal, and I am hopeful this will help families in Michigan make ends meet.” CCDF is the primary federal program specifically devoted to child care services and quality. It enables low-income parents and parents receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to work or to participate in the educational or training programs they need in order to work. Funds may also be used to serve children in protective services. In addition, a portion of CCDF funds must be used to enhance child care quality and availability, and to enhance infant and toddler care. Two billion dollars in ARRA funds were allocated nationwide for the CCDF program and will allow states to support child care services for more families whose children require care while they are working, seeking employment or receiving job training or education. The funds will be used by states to provide vouchers to families for child care, to provide access to care through contracts with child care centers, or to invest in quality improvements. Recovery Act dollars will support a wide range of child care providers, including child care centers and home-based programs. Michigan will also receive $6,612,318 through the Immunization Grant Program, which provides funding for immunization operations and infrastructure necessary to implement a comprehensive immunization program at the federal, state, and local levels. More detail on the breakdown of funding in Michigan through the Child Care and Development Fund program can be found in the tables below.
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