Hands Connected provides culturally and linguistically responsive early childhood navigation support for expecting parents and families with children through age five in Kent County. Services include individualized community resource navigation and parent engagement opportunities that help reduce barriers and promote equitable access to resources that support healthy child development and school readiness.

Supports families in tracking their child’s development through regular, evidence-based developmental screenings using the ASQ. Families receive monthly activities and age-appropriate materials to encourage learning at home, along with relationship-based support from a Family Support Navigator who answers questions and connects families to community resources.

Supports pregnant and postpartum Black and Latine parents through home visits by Community Health Workers who serve as peer mentors to provide social support, education, and referrals for needed resources. A fatherhood initiative serves male partners. Behavioral health counseling is provided for clients dealing with mental health or substance use issues. Services are offered at home or other convenient locations. Community education, discussion groups, and breastfeeding cafes are also offered. (Prenatal – 18 month old)

Playgroups across Kent County that support parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family wellbeing. Families connect, explore parenting topics, learn about child development, and grow through play. Evening playgroups are also offered once a week for families who may not be able to attend during the day, with fun learning activities, time to connect, and dinner for the whole family. Services are available to all families across Kent County. (Prenatal–5 years old)

A 10 -11-week home visiting program that empowers parents to become their child’s first teacher by turning everyday parent-child interactions into meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and school readiness. Baby Scholars is focused on supporting Black and Latine families in the Grand Rapids area. A certified Parent Coach visits weekly to guide positive parent-child interactions that support language, social, and brain development. (5 months – 5 years old)

Helps parents prepare for the postpartum period and 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.

Provides hands-on, in-home support to parents after bringing home a newborn. Services may include discussion of postpartum resources, care for babies and their siblings, and light housework. Services are available to all families across Kent County. (Birth – 6 months old)

Supports caregivers and their young children to strengthen the parent-child relationship and promote healthy development. Offers parent-child interaction and play, guidance on child development, and specialized counseling for biological, foster, kinship, and adoptive families. Available to all families across Kent County. Families also have access to Little Feet Movement classes to further support development and attachment. (Prenatal – 5 years old)

One-on-one coaching in families’ or child care providers' homes to help parents and caregivers understand responsive parenting, provide positive interactions, and learn about child development. Services are available to all families across Kent County. (Birth – 5 years old)

Play is essential for whole-child development; it is the vehicle for learning. GRCC offers weekly playgroups for caregivers with infants through 5 years old. The community-based groups help caregivers understand their child’s development and give them tools to support playful learning at home using everyday materials and routines. Children develop language, literacy, fine/gross motor skills, and cognitive and social-emotional skills.

Playgroups for children ages 0–5 and their caregivers, hosted in child care centers, schools, and community settings. Uses play-based activities to support cognitive, language, literacy, social, and emotional development.

Enhanced by Ready by Five funding, Cherry Health’s MIHP provides individualized support for expectant parents and families with young children through home-and community-based services, childbirth and parenting education classes, and breastfeeding/lactation support. The multidisciplinary team includes registered nurses, social workers, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), an Infant Mental Health Therapist, and bilingual Spanish-speaking clinical staff. Families may also receive maternal and infant health education, developmental and emotional well-being support, care coordination, resource navigation, and connections to healthcare and community resources. Limited transportation assistance may be available based on eligibility and program guidelines. MIHP services extend from pregnancy through 18 months after birth, and Infant Mental Health services are available to eligible families with children up to age 5. Families do not need to be current Cherry Health patients to participate.

Family Promise partners with the community to prevent family homelessness, provide safe shelter, and help families build a future filled with stability and hope. Early Childhood Stabilization Services helps families divert from shelter, achieve housing stability through in-home case management, and support young children and their caregivers.

Home-based program helping families strengthen parent-child bonds, build skills, and foster emotional security. Parents receive counseling and guidance on child development, behavior, and parenting challenges.

Partners with caregivers, 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.

Our Family Support Services team takes a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Community Support Navigators aim to serve as a bridge between resources and community members to help families achieve self-sufficiency. Our bilingual (Spanish & English) staff provides comprehensive resource navigation, document assistance, and application help. Our Community Health Outreach Specialist provides tobacco cessation support and assistance with navigating behavioral and mental health access.

Lead Program Expansion

The program helps families identify and reduce lead risks through education, prevention, and coordinated services that protect children’s health and promote safe home environments for residents of Kent County.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP)
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.

Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan offers in-home screenings for health hazards such as lead, poor air quality (including asthma triggers), and injury risks. Families receive education, coaching, and supplies to reduce identified hazards.

Provides proven methods to help caregivers understand early child development, identify potential concerns, and build a strong foundation for later academic success. Services are available to all families across Kent County. (Prenatal – 5 years old)

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.

Early Childhood Navigators empower families by simplifying the search for childcare, early education, and community resources. With deep local knowledge, our experienced Navigators work closely with parents to identify quality programs and immediate childcare openings that align perfectly with their family’s unique needs, preferences, and circumstances.

Supports new and expectant parents with a child with Down Syndrome by connecting families with trained parent mentors, resources, and encouragement. Families receive guidance, peer support, and celebration materials to help them feel informed, welcomed, and supported.

Supports mothers and young children impacted by domestic violence and/or human trafficking through safe housing, resource navigation, parent-child engagement activities, and other services that promote safety, stability, and well-being.

Supports families facing housing instability by helping prevent eviction and providing resources that promote housing stability. The program offers financial assistance, guidance, and support to help families remain safely housed.

Supports children ages 0–5 and their families through medical, dental, mental health, and navigation services that promote healthy development and well-being.

Supports child care providers in creating breastfeeding-friendly environments that support families and promote health. The program provides education, resources, and practical strategies related to human milk handling and storage, responsive feeding, communication with families, and breastfeeding-supportive policies and practices

Supports young mothers (13 to 24-years-old) and their children through peer support, resource navigation, birth and postpartum care, parenting education, life skills groups, and connections to health care partners. The program helps families access preventative care, support healthy development, and build stable futures.

Provides culturally and linguistically responsive support to Asian American families, including immigrant and refugee communities. By building trusted relationships, reducing barriers, and improving access to resources, West Michigan Asian American Association strives to create safe, stable, and nurturing environments where young children and families can thrive.

Peer-to-peer conversations that help parents and caregivers build resilience, strengthen relationships, and gain knowledge about parenting and child development. The program supports families in creating safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.

Provides support to help parents and caregivers identify goals, connect with community resources, and navigate services through a relationship-based approach. Services are available to families across Kent County.

Provides contextualized English-language literacy instruction for parents of young children to navigate early childhood development and preliteracy education.