There are more than 192,000 low-income families in Michigan, a major portion of them in the Southeast Region, with incomes under the federal poverty level. These families are struggling to work and provide for their children, to meet their basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, utilities, etc.). Thus, there is little or no disposable income for early education programs or quality childcare, which averages approximately $6,500 annually per child.
The need and desire for quality childcare/early childhood education is overwhelming. Without marketing our program, 400 families are on the waiting list to receive WCP’s ChildCare Commitment funding for the coming year. The cost of eliminating only the waiting list and of providing the 40% subsidy that WCP endeavors to provide will cost approximately $1.04 million --for this year alone.
The scientific data is clear: children living in poverty who have access to quality childcare/early childhood education are more likely to graduate from high school, be employed, earn more and commit fewer crimes as adults than those who did not.
Cost-Benefit analyses for childhood programs show an enormous eightfold benefit to society: for every $1 invested in high-quality childhood programs, over $8 returns to society. This benefit takes the form of reduced crime rates along with reduced grade retention and special education placements; and increased rates of high school graduation and adult earnings.
