I see firsthand how the Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition serve as the backbone of a stronger, more responsive system for families in our community.
These partnerships create a web of support that goes far beyond individual services. The Great Start Collaborative brings together professionals from health care, education, early childhood, and social services to align goals and share resources. This means families don’t have to navigate fragmented systems—they’re met with coordinated care that reflects their full reality.
The Family Coalition adds the heartbeat. It ensures that parents and caregivers have a voice in shaping the programs that serve them. I’ve seen families go from feeling overlooked to becoming advocates, leaders, and mentors. Their lived experiences guide our work and keep us accountable to what truly matters.
Together, these groups strengthen the system by: ✨Bridging gaps between agencies so families receive seamless support. ✨Elevating family voices to inform policy and practice. ✨Building trust through culturally responsive, community-rooted engagement. ✨Creating feedback loops that help us adapt quickly to emerging needs. - Montcalm County Maternal Infant Health Program Provider
We are a young family with three children under the age of five. We relocated to Michigan from New York State four years ago and love everything Michigan has come to mean to us. My son loves reading. He loves the library. And he’s so inquisitive. Learning is something he genuinely enjoys and has fostered that same excitement in his younger sister. Without these opportunities it would have been more difficult to encourage his love for learning. Developing an early positive exposure to learning and guiding young minds is essential to later development and overall outcomes for young adults. Our state frankly tests horribly against the rest of the nation and programs like this give us the chance to bridge that gap! - Montcalm County Mom of 3.
Due to the elimination of funding, Family Coalition will not be heald tonight. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience.
Please check your emails for communications sent: It is with a heavy heart that as we are sharing this information, we will no longer have Family Coalition. Due to funding cuts there will no longer be Great Start Collaborative. We have enjoyed meeting you and your family and the relationships we have built. Thank you for all your input for the Great Start Collaborative. ... See MoreSee Less
Montcalm Area ISD deeply believes in the value of early childhood education and the initiatives that support building a strong foundation for our youngest learners. The funding for the Great Start Collaborative and Great Start Montcalm County, known as section 32p, has been eliminated by the State of Michigan in its budget for 2025-2026. This funding supports early childhood initatives throughout Michigan as well as right here in Montcalm County. Without this funding, the result means the elimination of these programs. We are sharing a letter from MAISD Superintendent Katie Flynn and MAISD Associate Superintendent of Early Childhood Services Cari O'Connor. If you are moved to support the work of Great Start Collaboratives, we have provided contact information for Montcalm County legislators in the comment section.
Email addresses: Senator Rick Outman - SenROutman@senate.michigan.gov Representative Patrick Outman - PatOutman@house.mi.gov
MAISD Early On Great Start Montcalm County The Montcalm Area Career Center - The MACC Seiter Education Center ... See MoreSee Less
Losing these programs would be horrible for any of the children that depend on these books. We'd like the opportunity to support our children's minds and education too! I'm a better parent for using these programs. I've learned parenting skills, how to communicate more effectively, how to discipline more effectively, how to promote better relationships between siblings. We get to leave the house once a month for a meal we didn't have to prepare or buy, we get to let our children play with other kids while we better ourselves in a group of other parents, most of all we get to feel normal like we can have a night out of the house like everyone else. Take a chance and attend these groups and meetings! It feels so much better to hear other families' stories and what they're dealing with in their homes. You will feel like a better parent, your kids are like everyone else's kids, you're not crazy and your kids are not bad. Go meet other parents, make friends, and let your kids make some new friends. These programs are so helpful to gain ideas, and learn from professionals. Go to the meetings! We need this as parents and community members. They inform us on community action programs, where we can turn for help. They help improve our home lives and make us better parents. While we become better parents we are raising better children. -Montcalm County mom of two
Are you able to share why you are having to stop all programming? Is it a funds issue, employment issue, or lack of community members showing up to events? I'd love to help advocate for you as I personally have attended the community baby shower and have loved what you provide for the community, I just want to have a better understanding as to why everything is closed so quickly out of the blue if there is something I can do to help change it besides sharing my story
Please share your stories!
bit.ly/GreatStartStories ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
This is the first time I have seen this! It turned out great.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtGxto0F_Rg
Please share your stories!
bit.ly/GreatStartStories ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Wonderful job on this video!
I see firsthand how the Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition serve as the backbone of a stronger, more responsive system for families in our community.
These partnerships create a web of support that goes far beyond individual services. The Great Start Collaborative brings together professionals from health care, education, early childhood, and social services to align goals and share resources. This means families don’t have to navigate fragmented systems—they’re met with coordinated care that reflects their full reality.
The Family Coalition adds the heartbeat. It ensures that parents and caregivers have a voice in shaping the programs that serve them. I’ve seen families go from feeling overlooked to becoming advocates, leaders, and mentors. Their lived experiences guide our work and keep us accountable to what truly matters.
Together, these groups strengthen the system by:
✨Bridging gaps between agencies so families receive seamless support.
✨Elevating family voices to inform policy and practice.
✨Building trust through culturally responsive, community-rooted engagement.
✨Creating feedback loops that help us adapt quickly to emerging needs.
- Montcalm County Maternal Infant Health Program Provider
To share your story vist:
bit.ly/GreatStartStories ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We are a young family with three children under the age of five. We relocated to Michigan from New York State four years ago and love everything Michigan has come to mean to us. My son loves reading. He loves the library. And he’s so inquisitive. Learning is something he genuinely enjoys and has fostered that same excitement in his younger sister. Without these opportunities it would have been more difficult to encourage his love for learning. Developing an early positive exposure to learning and guiding young minds is essential to later development and overall outcomes for young adults. Our state frankly tests horribly against the rest of the nation and programs like this give us the chance to bridge that gap!
- Montcalm County Mom of 3.
Use the link below to share your story!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQEZvHYDPTbnEGZH53c68BWxlY91dGfWqbkRmYanPYIfcQSw/viewform?fbcli... ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Due to the elimination of funding, Family Coalition will not be heald tonight. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience.
Please check your emails for communications sent:
It is with a heavy heart that as we are sharing this information, we will no longer have Family Coalition. Due to funding cuts there will no longer be Great Start Collaborative.
We have enjoyed meeting you and your family and the relationships we have built.
Thank you for all your input for the Great Start Collaborative. ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for all you have done for families.
Do you know if play groups are still going on?
So bummed!
A firm, flat mattress in a clutter-free crib, bassinet or pack and play will reduce your baby’s risk of sleep-related infant death. Nothing but baby for EVERY sleep. #safesleep #CleartheCribChallenge #MIMoves4SafeSleep ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Today is the last day to purchase tickets! Don't miss out!
www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/midnight-masquerade-murder-mystery-fundraiser ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Montcalm Area ISD deeply believes in the value of early childhood education and the initiatives that support building a strong foundation for our youngest learners. The funding for the Great Start Collaborative and Great Start Montcalm County, known as section 32p, has been eliminated by the State of Michigan in its budget for 2025-2026. This funding supports early childhood initatives throughout Michigan as well as right here in Montcalm County. Without this funding, the result means the elimination of these programs. We are sharing a letter from MAISD Superintendent Katie Flynn and MAISD Associate Superintendent of Early Childhood Services Cari O'Connor. If you are moved to support the work of Great Start Collaboratives, we have provided contact information for Montcalm County legislators in the comment section.
Email addresses:
Senator Rick Outman - SenROutman@senate.michigan.gov
Representative Patrick Outman - PatOutman@house.mi.gov
MAISD Early On Great Start Montcalm County The Montcalm Area Career Center - The MACC Seiter Education Center ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
I am sad and angry about this. This program helped my Grandaughter immensely and helped her get to the right specialists.
Losing these programs would be horrible for any of the children that depend on these books. We'd like the opportunity to support our children's minds and education too! I'm a better parent for using these programs. I've learned parenting skills, how to communicate more effectively, how to discipline more effectively, how to promote better relationships between siblings. We get to leave the house once a month for a meal we didn't have to prepare or buy, we get to let our children play with other kids while we better ourselves in a group of other parents, most of all we get to feel normal like we can have a night out of the house like everyone else. Take a chance and attend these groups and meetings! It feels so much better to hear other families' stories and what they're dealing with in their homes. You will feel like a better parent, your kids are like everyone else's kids, you're not crazy and your kids are not bad. Go meet other parents, make friends, and let your kids make some new friends. These programs are so helpful to gain ideas, and learn from professionals. Go to the meetings! We need this as parents and community members. They inform us on community action programs, where we can turn for help. They help improve our home lives and make us better parents. While we become better parents we are raising better children.
-Montcalm County mom of two
To share your story use the link below:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQEZvHYDPTbnEGZH53c68BWxlY91dGfWqbkRmYanPYIfcQSw/viewform ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Are you able to share why you are having to stop all programming? Is it a funds issue, employment issue, or lack of community members showing up to events? I'd love to help advocate for you as I personally have attended the community baby shower and have loved what you provide for the community, I just want to have a better understanding as to why everything is closed so quickly out of the blue if there is something I can do to help change it besides sharing my story