Grants Program Specialist - West Michigan

Join a strong community where all we do is care-for the children and families we serve every day, as well as for our dedicated team members. Our people are our best asset. We listen and we know what you're looking for:

• You want benefits. We support you with a minimum 50% childcare discount, immediate access to benefits, innovative health programs, 401(k) company match, and much more.
• You want balance. We offer flexible schedules that work for you, no nights or weekends, the ability to bring your children to work with you, and paid time off.
• You want opportunity. We invest in your future with ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, credential assistance, and our unique Master Teacher Program.
• You want recognition. We provide a positive, fun workplace where employees are appreciated.

The Grants Program Specialist handles all areas of State PreK and Preschool program grant implementation and compliance in Michigan, supports other state Pre-K programs and grant related projects. Key responsibilities are to lend expertise on administrative, program implementation, and training requirements specific to state mandates, and deliver informational updates to the field. The Specialist also helps schools meet all program, financial, and administrative requirements for the funding aligned to LC processes and grant budget guidelines. Timely and clear communication is key to the field and grant management partnerships.

The successful candidate is a critical resource in LC schools that run state grant/preschool/Pre-K programs. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills are required to regularly assess and implement processes that promote compliance and ongoing program success each year.

Essential Functions:

1. Coordinate, monitor, track to ensure BTS and ongoing processes in areas of recruitment, financial and budget spending, marketing, enrollment, including compliance in family income processes, compliance of families info in ISD systems, ensuring LCW set up of GSRP children.
2. Understanding and implementation of all contract requirements and ensuring LCG processes in place to support.
3. Build and maintain field and agency partnerships, using effective communication and implementing LCW/GSRP processes to create high quality programs and promote ongoing compliance. 
4. Attend state or local ISD meetings to stay informed on changes and initiatives that effect GSRP programs and share that information with field and grant teams. 
5. Ongoing monitoring and support program implementation including timely child assessment and reporting in ISD system. 
6. Ensure home visit processes and compliance to GSRP and LCG requirements.
7. Coordinate and track enrollment efforts with marketing, My School, agency partners up to final count days.
8. Coordinate mentoring and trainings for Directors on GSRP and LCG systems (how to set up income requirements for families – how to support data systems, how to calculate over income, ensure LCW processes for grants).
9. Monitor teacher participation in professional development, ongoing training and maintaining credential requirements.
10. Create school GSRP calendars to requirements for families and teachers, coordinate State Pre-K teacher MOE’s that align with requirements.
11. Monitor and update Grants Program Employee Roster each week to ensure job codes and proper grant reporting. 
12. Observe classrooms for compliance with state Pre-K guidelines, best practices and curriculum requirements, teacher coaching opportunities (lesson planning, child interactions, CLASS, etc.) (8 wk.)
13. Partner with grant finance team to understand financial aspects of GSRP and plan, order and track spending of supplies and materials to meet grant budget requirements, partnering with field leaders to ensure LCG guidelines. 
14. Perform quarterly audits on staff and child files or as required in the GSRP guidelines.
15. Develop and support school/state-specific plans based on monitoring reports from state, local agency, or consultant. 
16. Provide regular, effective communication to the Grant Manager and field leaders to support program implementation and improvement.
17. Flexibility to quickly change and adapt processes based on fast moving changes in GSRP legislation or requirements.
18. Strong written skills for all levels of communication, including field leaders, teachers, grant managers and grant team.
19. Lead and support state grant application processes and timelines.

Supervision:
Position does not have direct reports.

Education:

• AA or BA preferred; grant management, early childhood, business, management focus preferred.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in early childcare program management/grant implementation or management preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities Qualifications:

• Flexible and able to support with all functions of GSRP daily program and needs.
• Able to mentor/coach/train teachers and directors to ensure program implementation to grantor/LCG requirements. 
• Able to engage appropriately with field, LCG Support team, Grant Team, and ISD or agency partners.
• Capable of working with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Ability to think critically to solve problems and make decisions.
• Effective communication skills, written, verbal and interpersonal.
• Proficient time management, organizational skills, and ability to meet established deadlines.
• Able to partner and collaborate with LCG managers/employees and all grantor personnel, with the ability to influence people at all levels. 
• Financial Acumen – understand and support budget implementation.
• Excellent customer service skills with both internal and external customers.
• Proficient computer skills with Microsoft Excel, Office, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams.

Travel Percentage: (Up to 40%, in-state program support)

In-person classroom observations, coaching/mentoring field teams, and parent engagement activities are included in the job description and integral to program success. Site visits are required and should be scheduled to effectively monitor and/or perform effective program assessment. Meeting attendance is required in both ISD and LCG.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation based on position, education and experience. Bi-weekly paid. 
  • $26.45-$28.85 hourly rate.
  • This position is also eligible for our Support Central bonus program which is based on annual achievement of company performance.
• Health and Wellness Benefits 
  • Employees are eligible for a variety of health and welfare benefits based on their Full-time or Part-time status on their date of hire, which include medical, dental, vision, healthcare & dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs), life insurance, disability, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, pre-paid legal, pet insurance and identity theft protection.
  • Employees are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan after 30 days of employment. Participating employees are also eligible to receive a company provided match on their elective deferrals once they reach 1 year of employment with the company.
• Employee perks/discounts 
  • Education assistance including tuition reimbursement 
  • Childcare discount available to all employees
  • Corporate partner Discounts
• This position is eligible for paid time off. All Corporate employees are enrolled in our Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) plan. This plan allows for flexibility and discretion between employees and managers in taking time off - with no set accrual for vacation or sick time. Employees can use Flexible PTO for any reason and is compliant with the Colorado Healthy Families Work Act.
• Applications accepted through 4/3/26.

Learning Care Group is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against an employee or applicant based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.