Learn About Michigan’s MI Tri-Share Child Care Program

July 28, 2026

Michigan’s MI Tri-Share Child Care Program is a state initiative designed to make licensed child care more affordable for working families while helping employers recruit and retain employees. The program is administered by Michigan’s Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).

In today’s post, we will take a detailed look into how the program works:

  • The cost of child care is split three ways: one-third is paid by the employee, one-third by the employer, and one-third by the State of Michigan. This significantly reduces out-of-pocket child care expenses for eligible families.
  • Employers participate voluntarily by enrolling in the program through a regional facilitator (also called a hub). The facilitator helps coordinate enrollment, billing, and payments between employers, employees, and child care providers.
  • Families must use a licensed child care provider. Eligible care includes full-time and part-time child care, preschool, before- and after-school programs, and many summer programs. Families can often continue using their current provider if that provider is licensed.
  • Income guidelines apply. Employees must meet household income eligibility requirements, which are updated periodically by the state.

The program aims to address one of the biggest barriers to employment—affordable child care—by:

  • Helping parents stay in or return to the workforce.
  • Giving employers a valuable benefit to attract and retain employees.
  • Supporting licensed child care providers with more consistent enrollment and payment.

Since launching as a pilot program in 2021, MI Tri-Share has expanded to all 83 Michigan counties. As of mid-2026, the program had helped Michigan families save more than $14 million in child care costs, with hundreds of participating employers and more than 1,000 enrolled employees. Legislation has also been introduced to make the program permanent.

If you have any questions about how your family can benefit from the MI Tri-Share Child Care Program, contact Southwest Child Care Resources & Referral for more information.