Kids Count Reveals Increasing Needs in Era of Decreasing Funding

January 12, 2010

Kent County Community Providing Support to Meet the Growing Needs of Young Children

The economic problems of the last decade are taking a toll on young children across Michigan and in Kent County.  Child poverty has increased 40 percent over the last 10 years.  In Kent County, more than 20% of children age 5 and younger are in poverty, with another 20% in low-income households struggling to pay for basic needs.  trans Kids Count Reveals Increasing Needs in Era of Decreasing Funding read more…

Community Partnership is Reforming Healthcare for Kent County Children

October 08, 2009

The Children’s Healthcare Access Program Shows Encouraging Results; Receives Awards for Collaboration

Grand Rapids, Mich.—As the nation debates healthcare reform, a community partnership in Kent County is ensuring more children have access to quality healthcare by shifting resources to focus on prevention and early intervention.  read more…

First Steps Names New Executive Director

August 19, 2009

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.

Great Start Parent Coalition Begins Diaper Drive

August 03, 2009

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 number of other locations.

Download the Diaper Drive Flier for more information and a complete list of diaper drop boxes.

Check out the Parent Coalition’s Diaper Drive Blog.

Tread Lightly in Cutting Child Development Services

July 26, 2009

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.

Business Leaders Focus on Investing In Early Childhood

March 11, 2009

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. read more…

Kent County Early Childhood Initiative Receives Major Grant

January 15, 2009

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. read more…

Annual Kids Count Report Highlights Needs of Kent County’s Youngest Children

January 09, 2009

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 nutrition.  Scientific research makes it clear the stresses threatening the stability of a family- such as poverty, unemployment or foreclosure-also threaten the healthy brain development of young children. read more…

Community Partnership Connects Kent County Children To Quality Healthcare

August 27, 2008

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, the first initiative of First Steps, is designed to help children get the care and support they need to stay healthy. read more…

Kent County Takes The First Steps To Ensure All Children Have The Opportunity To Reach Their Full Potential

July 24, 2008

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 making sure that every child in Kent County will be ready to succeed in school and in life. read more…