June 3, 2026
Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute will play a central role in supporting Michigan’s new statewide Child Care Small Business Support Hub by providing research, data analysis, strategic planning, and cross-sector collaboration expertise.
Working in partnership with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) Foundation, the initiative will help child care business owners navigate challenges such as licensing requirements, staffing shortages, municipal obstacles, and sustainable issues.
Pulse’s role focuses on helping build a more sustainable and responsive child care business ecosystem across Michigan. Through its research and convening work, Pulse will help identify barriers facing child care business owners and also support efforts to align business assistance resources, community partnerships, and policy strategies that strengthen the long-term stability of child care providers and expand access for families.
In addition to supporting the operational framework of the hub, Pulse will help facilitate collaboration among state agencies, economic development leaders, early childhood organizations, and local communities to ensure support systems are responsive to the unique needs of child care entrepreneurs. By integrating data, research, and community expertise, Pulse will help the hub deliver practical solutions that improve business sustainability, strengthen the child care workforce, and support broader economic growth across the state.
“Strong partnerships between early childhood and economic development leaders are critical to creating lasting solutions for families and educators,” said Kathy Szenda Wilson, co-executive director of Pulse.
The initiative creates an opportunity to connect systems, resources, and expertise so child care business owners can access the support they need to succeed.
“By aligning data, business supports, and community expertise, this initiative will help child care entrepreneurs build sustainable programs that meet the needs of children, parents, and local economies across Michigan,” said Maria Ortiz Borden, co-executive director of Pulse.
This work reflects Pulse’s broader mission of connecting research with action to advance equitable, data-driven solutions that improve outcomes for children, families, educators, employers, and communities throughout Michigan.