W.K. Kellogg Foundation Awards First Steps $400,000
Grand Rapids, Mich.-First Steps today announced the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is making a significant investment in Kent County’s youngest children.  The Battle Creek-based foundation is committing $400,000 to help build a comprehensive and coordinated network of support services for young children and their families.

Kent County Community Providing Support to Meet Growing Needs of Local Children and Families
Michigan’s economic difficulties are having a profound impact on the state’s youngest children.  The percentage of young children living in poverty has steadily climbed since the turn of the century, with one in four now relying on food stamps for their basic [...]

First Steps Announces First Initiative:  Children’s Healthcare Access Program
Grand Rapids, Mich.-The number of Kent County children who rely on Medicaid for their medical coverage increases every year; it’s now approximately one in three.  As that number grows, it becomes more and more difficult for low-income families to access primary healthcare.  The Children’s Healthcare Access Program, [...]

Community leaders launch a new early childhood initiative
Grand Rapids, Mich.—Thousands of children in Kent County are already one or two years behind on the first day of kindergarten. That achievement gap only widens as the children get older. To combat this trend, community leaders announced First Steps, a major new early childhood initiative committed to [...]

Speaker to Discuss Importance of Early Education to Develop Strong Workforce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and the Committee for Economic Development have all come to the same conclusion about strengthening the U.S. economy:  we must invest in early childhood education.

The First Steps Commission is pleased to announce the selection of a new executive director.  Rebekah Fennell comes to Kent County from Kalamazoo and brings with her a wealth of non-profit and business experience. Click here to read the complete announcement.

The Grand Rapids Press published a guest commentary from First Steps Commission Co-chairs Doug DeVos and Kate Pew Wolters urging elected officials to minimize budget cuts to quality early childhood programs and services.  Click here to read the piece.

The Great Start Parent Coalition is trying to collect 25,000 diapers for babies and toddlers in need in Kent County.  The parents need your help to keep ‘em covered.  You can drop off diapers at all branches of the Grand Rapids Public Library and all Fifth Third Bank branches in Kent County, as well as a [...]

Quality Child Care
There are free services that will help you find quality child care.

Great Start CONNECT:  1-877-61-GREATSTART (1-877-614-7328) or www.greatstartconnect.org.
Kent Regional 4C:  www.4cchildcare.org for a “Parent’s Checklist to Choosing Quality Childcare.”

Here are a few tips to help make for a smooth transition:

Visit the child care [...]

Community Resources
Are you wondering what kinds of services and programs are available for your family?  The Child and Family Resource Council’s “Family Resource Guide” includes resources for:

abuse and neglect
adoption
childcare
counseling
education and training
emergency services
grandparent information
health information
illness and special needs
parenting classes
prenatal classes
recreation and education
respite care
substance abuse
support services
transportation services

You can find the “Family Resource Guide” online.

Looking for activities for [...]