(The Center Square) — Michigan lawmakers recently approved $75 million for out-of-school time grant programing for fiscal year 2026-27.
That includes before- and after-school programs and summer programs, which advocates say is greatly lacking in the state.
Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, recently applauded the funding.
“High-quality out-of-school time programs give Michigan’s young people safe spaces to learn, grow and thrive,” Walker-Griffea said. “By investing in programs that strengthen academic skills, spark new interests and connect students with caring adults, we’re ensuring Michigan’s children and families have the opportunities and resources they need to succeed in the year ahead and beyond.”
MiLEAP, which was first founded by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023, will be responsible for rewarding approximately $73 million in grants to eligible organizations throughout the state.
This funding comes as a recent study raised concerns about how lacking those types of programs are for Michigan families.
Released by the Afterschool Alliance, the fifth annual “America After 3PM” survey found that five in six Michigan parents who want afterschool programs for their children are unable to enroll them.
“What stands out most is the sheer scale of unmet demand,” Stephanie G. Van Koevering, director of public affairs for the Michigan Afterschool Partnership, told The Center Square in an exclusive interview.
In 2025, 150,508 children were enrolled in an after-school program. That means 678,070 children were not able to attend those programs, according to the survey. It pointed to a variety of reasons for that gap, including program cost, availability and inaccessibility.
Van Koevering said this is a broader issue affecting both parents and children. In fact, the survey found that 84% of Michigan parents said after-school programs allow them to keep their jobs or work more hours, and 92% said they’re less stressed knowing their child is safe.
“When after-school programs are out of reach, families struggle to work, employers lose productivity, and kids miss critical enrichment, academic, and social supports,” Van Koevering explained. “Expanding access isn’t just about children—it’s about the health and stability of Michigan’s entire economy.”
While Michigan Afterschool Partnership applauded the investment made by the legislature into those programs, Van Koevering argued it’s not enough taxpayer support.
“Michigan can lead by creating a universal afterschool system, ensuring every child who wants a program has one,” she said. “Building on the state’s $75 million investment in FY 2025, which is so urgently needed and valued by all our state’s families, Michigan can continue to grow a sustainable, statewide infrastructure for afterschool and summer learning that makes access equitable, stable, and affordable for all families.”
Michigan already funds free pre-K and community college for all. The survey found that 88% of Michigan parents, regardless of political leanings, would also support taxpayer funding for after-school programs.
Elyse Apel is a reporter for The Center Square covering Colorado and Michigan. A graduate of Hillsdale College, Elyse’s writing has been published in a wide variety of national publications from the Washington Examiner to The American Spectator and The Daily Wire.
