MI Tri-Share Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
This document was created to gather and share Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for participating Hubs,
surfaced during the MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot. Questions will be added and modified based on decisions
made during the pilot period.
Guidelines
1. What are the guiding principles for the MI Tri-Share Child Care pilot program?
The following principles will consistently be used in decision making around the implementation
of the MI Tri-Share pilot program:
• Choice of provider(s) will be made by the employee.
• Limit the burden to employers and providers in determining employee eligibility by
requiring Hubs to determine eligibility.
• Help ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) eliminate
barriers to employment.
2. Who is responsible to pay for child care using the MI Tri-Share Child Care pilot model?
The MI Tri-Share Child Care Program (Tri-Share), in its pilot phase, is an innovative approach to
increasing access to high quality, affordable child care for working families, with the cost of child
care shared by an employer, the employee and the State of Michigan. In all cases, child care
costs must be divided equally between the employer, employee and the State of Michigan.
Employee Information and Eligibility

1. What are the employee eligibility requirements?
Employee eligibility will be determined based on the employee’s family size and household
income. Employees must have a household income between 150%-250% of the Federal
Poverty Level (FLP). Employees must not be eligible for the Development and Care Program
(commonly referred to as child care subsidy). Once an employee is deemed eligible, they are
eligible for the entire year of the pilot.
2. How is eligibility determined?

Hubs will gather income data and determine final eligibility of employee.
3. Are employees eligible if they have seasonal work?

Seasonal income is considered contractual income if it is income meant to cover the other six
months when not working. In this instance, you would take the income for six months and
determine monthly income based on the year.
4. What is the process for determining which employees are eligible for child care slots?
Employers have flexibility in deciding which family will receive a child care slot. Possible ways to
make this determination include:
• First come, first serve process

• Employee lottery/random selection
• Employee needs (i.e., closest to 150% FPL)
• Each family receives one child care slot/Family receives multiple child care slots
5. How many child care slots are employees eligible for?

Employers have flexibility in deciding how many child care slots should be offered to
participating employees and their families. Possible ways to make this determination include:
• Each participating family receives one slots

• Participating families receive multiple slots based on how many children need care
• Participating families receive one or multiple slots based on greatest need
6. Can child care providers and employees outside the designated regions participate in the
Tri-Share program?
Eligible employees may reside outside the designated region of the Hub.
7. Do employees choose their own child care provider?

Employees are encouraged to select a licensed child care provider that meets their needs, this
includes an existing child care provider (so long as they are currently licensed). Employees may
utilize before and after care for schoolagers, summer care for schoolagers, and part-time and
full-time child care for their children.
8. Can children be placed at multiple child care providers, if the employer has more than
one child care spot given to their family?
Families do not have to have the same provider for all children to participate in the Tri-Share
program. Family choice of care is a guiding principle in this pilot.
9. Are there additional responsibilities of the employees enrolled in the Tri-Share program?
Eligible employees must complete a survey providing information around their children and child
care. The information gathered through this survey will be used in informing future policies
related to the work of this pilot. Personal information (like names or child names) will not be
shared with any person outside the work of the project. Employees also must sign and follow
any type of MOU or contract put forth by the participating Hub.
Child Care Provider Information and Eligibility
1. Is there flexibility for providers to increase rates based on their participation in the
program?
No, child care providers will not increase rates for families because they are participating in the
Tri-Share pilot. This does not include when child care rates for all families increase (based on
annual tuition increase, cost of living, etc.).
2. Can child care providers outside the designated regions participate in the Tri-Share
program?
Eligible child care providers may reside outside the designated region of the Hub.
3. What type of child care facilities are eligible to participate in the pilot?
All participating child care providers must be licensed by the state of Michigan. Before and after
school care, summer care, and part or full time care are acceptable forms of child care for this
pilot.
4. Can a child care provider who offers free child care to staff (as part of a benefit package)
participate as an employer in this pilot?
In all cases, the cost of child care must be divided equally between the employer, employee and
the State of Michigan. If an employee does not contribute to the costs of child care, then the
employer (in this case the child care provider) would not be eligible to participate in the pilot.
Employer Information and Eligibility

1. Are there additional responsibilities of employers when they are enrolled in the Tri Share
program?
Employees must sign and adhere to any type of MOU or contract put forth by the participating
Hub. Employers will be asked to participate in data collection processes implemented by the
evaluation team. These may include, but are not limited to, focus groups, surveys, interviews
etc. Employers should be willing to actively participate in gathering this information, to the best
of their ability.
2. Can tax deductions be used by participating employers?

There may be possible deductions for employers, please always consult with your tax
professional/advisor if you have questions related to tax deductions.

MI Tri-Share Frequently Asked Questions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MI Tri-Share Frequently Asked Questions

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

MI Tri-Share Frequently Asked Questions

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Frequently Asked Questions

Employee Information and Eligibility

2. How is eligibility determined?

3. Are employees eligible if they have seasonal work?

• First come, first serve process

5. How many child care slots are employees eligible for?

• Each participating family receives one slots

7. Do employees choose their own child care provider?

Employer Information and Eligibility

2. Can tax deductions be used by participating employers?

You might also like