Lyndsay Carey

MARQUETTE — Child care costs are one of the main barriers for parents returning to work, according to Lyndsay Carey, Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency director of early childhood education.

During an online presentation on Tri-Share, a state child care cost-sharing program, to address this problem, MARESA has become Tri-Share’s local facilitator hub in the Upper Peninsula.

Their informational session hosted via Zoom educated both parents and employers on the benefits of using Tri-Share to relieve the burden of child care costs on Michigan families.

Tri-Care splits the cost of child care between the family, the parents’ employers and the state. Families with a total income between 201% and 325% of the federal poverty line are eligible for the program.

“They have to be using a licensed child care center,” Carey said. “This is not for grandparent care, neighbor care, that is not licensed, but it could be any day camps, any home providers that are licensed, child care centers, school-based afterschool care, as long as there is a license attached to it, Tri-Care can cover it.”

United Way of Northwest Michigan, an administrative partner of MARESA, also helps facilitate Tri-Share plans with Michigan residents. According to UW’s Early Childhood System coordinator Norika Kida Betti, special cases — such as those with higher incomes in need or families working or living on Michigan’s Wisconsin border — may be brought to the Michigan Women’s Commission for review.

As of January, the following Upper Peninsula businesses are participating in Tri-Share: Swick, Sault Area Public Schools, Ishpeming Public Schools, Gretchen’s House and Northern Michigan University.

According to Carey, these entities are willing and available to provide testimonies concerning the program.

“We definitely want to retain and attract talent in the U.P.,” Carey said. “We know Tri-Share doesn’t solve (child care availability) … but it does help those families that are struggling to pay for care right now.”

Currently, MARESA is supporting 49 children and 35 families in the U.P. The total cost for that care is $181,000, but families have only paid $60,400.

Carey described getting calls from client families thanking MARESA for how much stress this program has lifted off their shoulders. For businesses, offsetting the ever-rising cost of child care can help with attracting and retaining employees, as well as reduce absenteeism.

Carey explained that employers can control the maximum dollar amount to be used for child care, how many spots they offer and can receive the money from employees by deducting it from their pay.

Those interested in Tri-Share can visit the trishare.org website for more information.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 506. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.