A new Michigan initiative, Our Strong Start, pairs child care entrepreneurs with a staffer from the state licensing agency who helps with paperwork and obtaining inspections. The program seeks to address problems raised in MuckRock’s “Disappearing Day Care” investigation, which found that Michigan’s child care supply is even more limited than experts thought.

We received more than 170 stories from parents and providers about Michigan’s child care crisis, many of which included detailed policy proposals. Here are seven of those ideas.

In 2021, there was a net loss of 735 childcare providers statewide. A $1.4 billion pot of federal relief money is being used to help. But experts say the child care industry will likely worsen, making it harder for Michigan families and the state economy. We want to hear about how Michigan’s childcare crisis is affecting you.