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. 
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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…
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 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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
