Tri-Share Child Care Program

 

MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Project

AVAILABLE TO ST. CLAIR COUNTY COMPANIES AND THEIR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES

MI Tri-Share is an innovative program that helps make access to quality child care more affordable by sharing the cost among the employee, the employer, and the State of Michigan. St. Clair County RESA is the Thumb Region Hub for MI Tri-Share, serving Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, St. Clair, and Tuscola counties.

  • For Families: Reduces child care costs by approximately 66%, helping more parents reenter or stay in the workforce.
  • For Employers: Strengthens employee recruitment and retention, reduces turnover, and supports workforce stability.

Whether you're a family looking for help with child care costs or an employer committed to supporting your team, MI Tri-Share makes quality child care more accessible.

For more information, visit the MI Tri-Share Website. 

For Families

MI Tri-Share splits the cost of your licensed child care three ways between you, your employer, and the State of Michigan.

You may qualify if you:

  • Have dependent children ages 0-12
  • Work for a participating employer
  • Meet income guidelines
  • Use a licensed child care provider

How it works:

  • Your employer enrolls in MI Tri-Share if they don't currently participate
  • You complete an online application
  • Payments are coordinated directly to your child care provider
  • You notify the Hub if your employment or child care situation changes

Benefits to the employee:

  • Significant savings on child care
  • Flexibility to choose the licensed provider that fits your needs
  • Reliable care that supports work, school, and family life

MI Tri-Share Program Income Eligibility 2025

As of May 1, 2025, the household income eligibility cap has increased to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, broadening access to wider range of working families.

Household Size Minimum Income Maximum Income
2 People $42,300 $84,600
3 People $53,300 $106,600
4 People $64,300 $128,600
5 People $75,300 $150,600
6 People $86,300 $172,600
7 People $97,300 $194,600
8 People $108,300 $216,600


Complete an online application

For Employers

Partnering with MI Tri-Share enables you to offer affordable child care to eligible employees. You cover one-third of employees' licensed child care costs, with the remaining two-thirds split between the employee and the State of Michigan.

MI Tri-Share Employer Overview 

Employer requirements and considerations:

  • Offer the MI Tri-Share program to one or more employees with dependent children ages 0-12
  • Cover 33% of participating employee's licensed child care costs
  • Collect the employee portion of payment through payroll deduction
  • Submit employer and employee payments via ACH
  • Notify the program if an approved employee is no longer employed
  • Allow for flexibility, understanding that family needs and care arrangements can change

How it works:

  • Contact St. Clair County RESA to enroll
  • Set up payroll and ACH processes
  • Share the benefit with eligible employees

Benefits to the employer:

  • Improves recruitment and retention
  • Reduces absenteeism
  • Demonstrates a family-friendly work environment

Participating Thumb Region Employers

  • City of Port Huron
  • Marshall E. Campbell Company
  • Megan Simmons - State Farm
  • M.L. Chartier Excavating, Inc.
  • PTM Corporation
  • Rosebrook Child Care Center
  • St. Clair County Community Mental Health
  • YMCA of the Blue Water Area

MI Tri-Share Employer Overview

For more information

Riley Alley
Early Childhood Coordinator
810-455-4397
Email Riley Alley


 ADD ITEM TO REPORT

As you navigate our website, you can use the “Add Item to Report” button to add any page or property to a custom report that you can print out or save.