Child Care Innovation in Northeast Michigan: New Leadership and Funding to Support Providers
NEMCSA is proud to share exciting developments in regional efforts to expand access to quality child care across Northeast Michigan. Through collaboration, innovation, and investment, the region is making real progress toward strengthening child care systems for families, providers, and communities.
The Region 3 Sunrise Side Child Care Coalition—co-facilitated by the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) and Develop Iosco—has secured $116,000 in new funding to support child care business growth and planning over the next six months. A $100,000 grant from the MI-LEAP program (via the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and MEDC) will fund strategic planning, business development services, and partial salary support for the newly hired CEO of the Child Care Back Office (CCBO). An additional $16,000 from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan and the Otsego Community Foundation will support a pilot program offering back-office services to child care providers.
This announcement coincides with the hiring of Sarah Foglesong as the first CEO of CCBO. Selected from a competitive pool of candidates nationwide, Sarah brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and child care systems innovation. She most recently served as Executive Director of the Eagle Valley Child Care Association in Vail, Colorado, where she oversaw multi-site operations, budget development, strategic planning, and initiatives to strengthen provider capacity and staff resilience.
The CCBO was created in response to recommendations in the 2024 Child Care Innovation Report, produced by Develop Iosco and the Quad County Childcare Coalition. The organization aims to relieve administrative burdens for child care businesses and help providers focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality care.
“By combining resources and regional expertise, we’re helping build a sustainable support system for providers, employers, and working families,” said Melissa Chambers, Regional Planner with NEMCOG and a CCBO board member.
The pilot program is currently recruiting child care providers for summer 2025. Interested providers can learn more at www.childcarebackoffice.org or by contacting Sarah Foglesong directly at sarah@childcarebackoffice.org.