RAPID and Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute partnership

Community served

Based in Battle Creek, Michigan, Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute is a partner, advocate, and coach in improving early childhood development in Michigan. By making bold moves, Pulse works with key partners to ensure sufficient resources are available for equitable access to quality early childhood experiences, create and improve learning environments, and promote the healthy development of children.

Priorities and goals

Pulse uses child-centered and process-driven approaches to improving early childhood development to:

• Reposition the early childhood industry
• Advocate for better policy and pay
• Improve access to financing
• Assist with early childhood system alignment
• Demonstrate generational impact

Engaging families

In 2023, Pulse was charged with developing a comprehensive early learning and care plan for seven counties in southwest Michigan – Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren. Pulse partnered with the RAPID Survey Project to support gathering of family voices so that early learning and care professionals, policymakers, funders, economic and workforce developers, intermediaries, and business leaders can make recommendations reflective of what families need.

Data and insights

In this fact sheet, we share how families use early learning and care, what their ideal care arrangement would look like, and their experiences applying for and using the state child care subsidy from the Child Development and Care Program.