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About Us Our Goals To ensure private licensed providers have a voice at the table at every state policy discussion. To provide decision-makers and legislators insight into how policies affect daily operations. To communicate and provide guidance to members regarding legislative and administrative changes that will affect daily operations. To advocate affordable childcare for families. Our Values Fairness across all levels of providers CPAOM believes that all level of Daycare providers deserves the same representation in Lansing. Partnership Respectful relationships are very important and on which our organization operates. We believe that quality of care we provide is measured by the quality of relationships we have with children, families, employees, funders, and legislators. We are committed to ensuring these relationships are respectful; warm and caring; honest and open; fair and equitable. Fiscal Responsibility We are committed to financial prudence and sustainability – to making decisions that take into consideration the overall financial health of the organization in order to meet our goals and objectives. We conduct ourselves in a manner that is professional and according to all business practices that are legal and ethical. "Membership in CPAOM allows my single center to have a voice at the state level; I get to pour into my local region while still knowing I am a voice to be heard within our Great State of Michigan." - Lindsey Potter, Bright Light Early Care & Education Who We Serve We serve the over 12,000 licensed Childcare Providers in the State of Michigan. Become a Member Board of Directors Our Board Lindsey Potter, Board Chair Bright Light Early Care & Education Owner/Director Meet Lindsey Denise L. Smith, MA Hope Starts Here Detroit Early Childhood Partnership Implementation Director Meet Denise La Tonya A. Glover Bright Beginnings Child Care Meet La Tonya Jared Rodriguez Executive Director Cindy Ray Secretary and Treasurer Interested in joining Childcare Providers Association of Michigan? Become a Member Contact Us info@cpaom.org (616) 274-0553

A collective voice working to improve childcare in Michigan Become a Member Our Work Our primary focus in to be the collective voice in Lansing. We have engaged the services of MainStreet Legislative Consulting LLC. They are a division of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). Learn About Our Work What is an Association? In general, an association is a group of persons banded together for a specific purpose. To qualify under section 501(c) of the Code, the association must have a written document, such as articles of association, showing its creation. At least two persons must sign the document, which must be dated. Our Events Stay up to date with CPAOM through our events. We offer events for non-members and members. See Our Upcoming Events In doing our research it came to CPAOM’s attention that there are over 12,000 childcare providers in Michigan that do not have a collective voice when it comes to representation of their industry in Lansing. For the past few years there have been some initiatives taken by local providers to strengthen the connection to Lansing. They have worked with the Grand Rapids Chamber in writing boiler plate language for bills that have passed as well as worked closely with LARA and Lansing through the pandemic to help with rules, regulations, and funding. CPAOM, a 501 (c) 6 is an association founded to engage Michigan Licensed In-Home, Center, Group, Public, Private, Profit and Nonprofit Daycare providers in making changes for the betterment of our industry and those that we serve. By providers for providers Member Benefits Peer to Peer Networking Join your peers in sharing best practices that will help you build a better business. Check out Events for more information. Advocacy CPAOM is a collective group of childcare providers working with MainStreet Legislative Consulting to elevate our voices in Lansing Training and Education Future Member Benefit Free Membership to Small Business Association of Michigan For more information visit www.sbam.org. Interested in joining Childcare Providers Association of Michigan? Learn About the Membership Contact Us info@cpaom.org 616-274-0553 Become a Member

News Press Releases LARGEST ONE-TIME INVESTMENT CHILDCARE IN STATE HISTORY Governor and Legislature agree to infuse $1.4B into childcare September 23. 2021 LANSING, MI - The Childcare Providers Association of Michigan (CPAOM) is elated with passage of the state budget and its inclusion of $1.4B for the childcare industry. The historic move ensures families, childcare provider businesses, and childcare workers have the critical resources necessary to care for our state’s most precious citizens. “The essential childcare businesses and workers remain one of the most critical components to our state’s economic recovery and getting Michiganders back to work without worrying how their children will be cared for,” stated Lindsey Potter, CPAOM Board Member and Owner of Bright Light Early Care and Education. CPAOM has tirelessly worked with lawmakers, Department Officials and the Governor’s office over the past five months to help direct the state’s priorities in childcare and is pleased to see its priorities included in the new budget deal. Key priorities included in the state budget are: $158 million for an ongoing 30% rate increase and $222 million for a temporary rate increase; $117.4 million to pay providers on enrollment vs. attendance; $100 million in business start-up grants; $36.5 million to expand the number of spaces for infants and toddlers; and $30 million to offer $1,000 bonuses for childcare professionals. “This giant win to childcare is a result of many voices working with their local elected officials,” shares Potter. “Imagine the impact we could have if we collected our voice, maintained our flexibility and independence, and continued to preach the value of quality systems, business practices, limited government oversight, and the service of childcare within the Early Care and Education system! We urge all providers to join us.” ​ ​ Project Name This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start. Project Name This is your Project description. A brief summary can help visitors understand the context of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start. Project Name This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start. Project Name This is your Project description. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start. Project Name This is your Project description. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start. Project Name This is your Project description. A brief summary can help visitors understand the context of your work. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.

Membership Benefits Pricing You must become a paid member to receive full CPAOM benefits. Home-based, family $ 50 50$ Every year Pricing is based on the # of children you are licensed for Get Started 0 to 7 children. Home-based, group $ 65 65$ Every year Pricing is based on the # of children you are licensed for Get Started 7-14 children. Small center. $ 80 80$ Every year Pricing is based on the # of children you are licensed for Get Started 13 – 40 children. Large center. $ 100 100$ Every year Pricing is based on the # of children you are licensed for Get Started 41 to 120 children. Membership dues auto renew at anniversary date and you can cancel your membership anytime. For multiple centers or centers licensed for 121 or more children please contact info@cpaom.org or request a quote below. Request a quote

Membership Membership Dues Structure Pricing is based on the # of children you are licensed for ​ 0-7 children: Home-based, family $50.00 per year 7-14 children: Home-based, group $65.00 per year 13-40 children: Small center $80.00 per year 41-120 children: Large center $100.00 per year ​ For multiple centers or centers licensed for 121 or more children, please contact info@cpaom.org or request a quote . ​ Membership dues auto-renew at the anniversary date and you can cancel your membership anytime. Become a Member Reasons to Join ​ You don’t have time to closely follow legislative and public policy issues that may affect your business and so will appreciate an industry organization working 24/7 on your behalf, with brief monthly Updates that keep you informed. You recognize that the businesses that survive the current state economic crisis will be the ones which are best informed about changing public policy issues. You want to be part of the statewide organization that is working everyday to support your interests along with those of your fellow Michigan childcare providers to protect and strengthen the Michigan childcare industry. You want the childcare industry to be present when policy and program decision are made. Ability to discuss your specific legislative issue with the CPAOM policy committee. Opportunity to testify in Lansing regarding the effects of legislative issues on your centers. Member Benefits Conversations with Providers Join your peers in sharing ideas around central topics that will help you build a better business. See Events for more information. Advocacy CPAOM is a collective group of childcare providers working with MainStreet Legislative Consulting to elevate our voices in Lansing Free Premium Membership with Small Business Association of Michigan For more information on the benefits included in this strategic partnership visit www.sbam.org . View a flyer with detailse HERE . Training and Education Future Member Benefit Certified Training for Staff Future Member Benefit Center Certification Future Member Benefit Mentoring Pool Future Member Benefit Respite Pool to Provider Cover Staffing Future Member Benefit Shared Services Future Member Benefit

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Lindsey Potter Bright Light Early Care & Education Owner/Director Lindsey has always worked in the field of childcare, in the beginning this looked like babysitting; growing up in a close knit and physically close family, Lindsey was the oldest grandchild of 27, whom met for Sunday Dinner and family time at the farm at least once a month. As an adult, she has worked in and out of many childcare and before and afterschool settings while attending MSU, graduating with a degree in Early Childhood and K-5 Teaching Certificate, as well as Olivet College, completing a Master's in Educational Theory. For 10 years Lindsey taught, ran, and administered a Head Start/GSRP blended programs in the rural communities of Olivet and Tekonsha, Michigan. Lindsey next worked on a WKKF funded grant to develop Shared Services and childcare infrastructure support in the connected community of Battle Creek, most of this work centered with the nonprofit sector of childcare. Lindsey is coming to CPAOM as a new business owner and director of Bright Lights Early Care and Education, a center with a vision of family bonds and real play centered at the heart of the daily work children will participate in. See all Board Members

La Tonya A. Glover Bright Beginnings Child Care See all Board Members La Tonya A. Glover has proudly served as the Owner and Lead Early Childhood Educator at Bright Beginnings Child Care in Detroit, MI since 2010. She is a devoted wife and mother of 4 amazing boys, an experienced mom who truly loves children and has a passion for teaching. She has a Child Development Associate Credential in Family Child Care and is currently working towards obtaining her BA in Early Childhood Education. La Tonya’s approach to child care exemplifies family, unity and a love of Christ. She believes strongly in creating positive relationships with community agencies and early childhood education advocates to ensure she is equipped with the information and resources necessary to best serve the families she provides care and support for. She creates effective partnerships with families to support her mission of ensuring that every child receives the “Bright Beginning” they deserve. La Tonya’s prior work, life experiences have provided her effective team building, management and organizational skills. She is a compassionate, strong-willed individual who strives to ensure that the needs and voices of the children and families she serves are heard and supported by every system, program and initiative that is designed for their benefit. La Tonya also desires to see Child Care Providers and Early Childhood Educators recognized, valued and positively supported in the invaluable work that they perform. La Tonya is currently working to advance the profession of Early Childhood Educators by ensuring they are informed, empowered and included in all matters that impact their ability to provide quality, equitable care and services.

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Denise L. Smith, MA Hope Starts Here Detroit Early Childhood Partnership Implementation Director Denise is the first implementation director of Hope Starts Here Detroit Early Childhood Partnership. Denise brings to this role a wealth of experience as an early childhood leader in Detroit and throughout the state of Michigan, rooted in her deep, personal commitment to children, families, and community. Her visionary leadership will propel the implementation of Hope Starts Here to new levels of effectiveness. ​ As Implementation Director, Denise will be responsible for implementing the Hope Starts Here framework, which was developed through a year-long community engagement process that drew on more than 18,000 Detroit residents to identify priorities for the city’s early childhood development system. Reflecting Hope Starts Here’s commitment to a distributed leadership model, Denise’s primary role will be to facilitate connections between the many community-based organizations supporting Detroit’s young children and families, strengthening the network of early childhood partners behind a common vision and set of strategies that come together to form a coherent early childhood development system, striving for a Detroit that puts its young children and their families first. ​ Denise is a native Detroiter, and for more than six years has focused her efforts on collaborative, community-based work to improve the early childhood education and care system for children and families in our most vulnerable communities. She also sits as a co-chair of the executive committee for Michigan’s Pritzker Prenatal-to-Age-Three grant and serves as one of 13 appointees to Michigan’s PreK-12 Literacy Commission. ​ Before returning to her hometown to continue leadership in early childhood system-building, Smith served as the executive director of the Flint Early Childhood Collaborative and Educare Flint, a system-level address to the needs of young children and their families as a result of the Flint water emergency. Previous posts have included vice president of early learning at Excellent Schools Detroit, and director of Great Start to Quality, Michigan’s statewide and tiered quality rating and improvement system at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. Her expertise also includes extensive experience designing, managing and consulting of early learning and care programs. Denise completed her undergraduate work in both Communication and in French at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her graduate degree in Human Development, Education Leadership and Infant Toddler Development, from Pacific Oaks College, CA. See all Board Members