Healthy Development

Healthy Development promotes healthy births, overall child health, and developmental milestones for children in Kent County.

Developmental, Social Emotional Screening and Referral
Programming promotes positive social emotional development that also ensures that children have regular developmental screenings to identify concerns as early as possible as well as follow-up referrals to services, and information.

  • Keep Early Education Positive (KEEP) – Arbor Circle
    Partners with parents, teachers, and child care providers to support children ages 0–5 facing challenges in child care or preschool. Promotes positive social-emotional development and ensures successful early learning experiences.

  • Infant Toddler Developmental Services – Arbor Circle
    Home-based support and clinical interventions to families with young children to build strength and skills, increase bonding between the parent and child, and create a sense of emotional security within the family. Through counseling and other hands-on interventions, parents learn more about themselves and their children and receive guidance for various behavioral concerns and parental issues.

The Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Network
Examines the factors contributing to fetal and infant deaths in Kent County and to guide community-driven actions that improve birth outcomes and reduce disparities.

  • Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) - Kent County Health Department
    Community-driven effort led by Kent County Health Department to address social, economic, and health factors affecting healthy births. Brings together health providers, parents, advocates, and community leaders to review cases and take action.

Niche Family Supports
Specialized services for families in Kent County, helping those who may not typically be reached by standard programs access resources and support.

  • Family Services Coordinators – Family Promise of West Michigan
    Connects families experiencing or at risk of homelessness with coordinators who provide support for young children and link families to community resources using a trauma-informed approach.

  • Early Childhood Navigation (Hands Connected) – Bethany Christian Services
    Links children and families to a Refugee Navigator who provides guidance and comprehensive support to navigate community resources.

  • Family Support Services – Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
    Supports expectant mothers and parents with young children. Staff address family needs and child development to help families achieve self-sufficiency.

  • Child and Family Advocate Program – YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
    Supports families of children in early education through one-on-one guidance. Advocates work with local partners to strengthen families and enhance early learning experiences.

  • First Call - Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM)
    Supports new and expectant parents with a child with Down Syndrome through two key initiatives. First Call connects families with trained parent mentors who share lived experience, answer questions, and provide immediate guidance and support. Celebration Baskets deliver baby gifts, books, handmade items, and helpful resources to celebrate each new arrival and remind families they are not alone.

Environmental Home Health
Addresses environmental hazards in the home, such as lead exposure, which can affect children’s health and development. Programs work with families to reduce risks and create safer homes.

  • Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan
    Offers home screenings which help to identify potential lead, asthma/air quality, and injury risks. Post-screening, families may choose to enroll in Healthy Homes’ home visiting program where they receive education and supplies to reduce the hazards in their homes.

  • Lead Program Expansion - Kent County Health Department
    This program provides lead risk identification, prevention, and elimination services for residents of Kent County. Health Educators and Lead Sanitarians also offer public education and coordinate services to reduce lead exposure and protect children’s health.

  • Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) – Kent County Health Department
    CLPPP provides nursing case management and home visits for children with elevated blood lead levels or at risk of lead poisoning. The program helps families reduce exposure, supports follow-up care for confirmed cases, and offers education and outreach to healthcare providers to encourage testing for all children in Kent County.

Network Training and Education
Provides training for Ready by Five-funded service professionals and supervisors to build a responsive network that meets the needs of families and young children in Kent County. Health Net of West Michigan offers the Care Model © Training Series for all Ready by Five providers.

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