Michigan Family Resources helps families meet their needs. If your child is enrolled in the Head Start program, the following services are available to you:

Child Development and Education
Children learn best through play and developmentally appropriate activities. We provide the following services to ensure the best learning experience possible for every child:

• Individualized planning for each child
• Observations three times a year
• Developmental screening annually
• Conferences and home visits
• Field trips twice a year
• Home activities for extended absences

 

Family Support
We engage parents in a process of partnership building to identify their family’s strengths, goals and needed services. Family Service Workers:

• Meet with families to identify needs
• Provide resources and referrals
• Conduct home visits as needed
• Organize trainings and workshops based on parent interest

 

Health and Special Needs Support
We support healthy development by addressing the various areas of child and family health.

• Encouraging regular medical and dental care
• Hearing and vision screenings
• Health Action Plans for children with allergies, asthma and other medical concerns

 

Literacy
Literacy development is vital for young children. Support is offered to staff and families in the form of:

• Research-based reading programs
• A resource library
• Visits to the public library
• Literacy parent meetings
• Reading is Fundamental (RIF) participation
• Book and other pre-literacy material distribution
• Classrooms with writing and printing materials

 

Nutrition
Children need adequate nutrition for their brains to develop fully. We provide:

• Snack and a meal each day in the half-day program
• Participation in Child and Adult Care Food Program
• Care to meet special dietary needs

IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) POLICY, THIS INSTITUTION IS PROHIBITED FROM DISCRIMINATING ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, AGE, OR DISABILITY. TO FILE A COMPLAINT OF DISCRIMINATION, WRITE USDA, OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS, 1400 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, SW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250-9410 OR CALL (800) 795-3272 OR (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER.

 

Parent Involvement
Working closely with parents, we involve them in all areas of the program. Parents are encouraged to:

• Volunteer in classrooms
• Volunteer on buses
• Attend conferences and home visits
• Attend Parent Committee meetings

 To volunteer, call the Parent & Community Relations Specialist at 616-453-4145 x2205.

 

Transition
Michigan Family Resources understands the importance of smooth transitions and offers support to families moving from one program to another by providing:

• Support moving from Early Head Start to Head Start
• Support in moving from Head Start to other early childhood programs
• Kindergarten resource books
• Kindergarten transition parent meetings

 

Transportation
We take great care in offering transportation for preschoolers to the majority of the half-day program sites. The following precautions are made to ensure child safety:

• Car seats and seat belts
• Bus aide on every bus

 

Special Needs
We provide services in the following:

• Speech screening and therapy
• Mental health services
• Special accommodations for children with special physical needs