Outreach and Navigation

Ready by Five millage funding has allowed for the creation of an Outreach and Navigation network by developing a multi-agency strategy to reach and engage families in a coordinated way. Outreach aims to increase the usage of early childhood programs and community resources by engaging future parents and families with young children who are not currently involved or aware of available services. As needs are identified, navigation helps address barriers to accessing services, information, and resources.

• Connections Program - Family Futures
  Supports families in tracking their child’s development through regular screenings. Families receive monthly activities and age-appropriate materials to encourage learning at home. Each family is paired with a Family Support Navigator who answers questions and connects them to community resources.
• Outreach & Navigation - Health Net of West Michigan
  Offers outreach, consultation, and care coordination to parents who need help accessing community resources, including basic needs, health care, and early childhood programs.
• Child Care Navigation – Kent ISD
  Helps families find high-quality, licensed early learning settings that have current openings in their program based on a family’s preferences such as location, type of provider, special needs care, and more. Integrated support from Vibrant Futures helps families to determine their eligibility and navigate the application process for scholarship programs that lower the cost of child care.
• Postpartum Resource Navigation Program - MomsBloom

Helps parents find the care and support they need after birth. From mental health providers to lactation consultants and other postpartum specialists, MomsBloom connects families with trusted local resources, so they don’t have to navigate this overwhelming time alone.