Join MSU Extension Classes ( 8- 9:30 PM). Register at https://bit.ly/4oskK2I
September 16: Talking With Kids About Differences
September 23: Young at Art
September 30: RELAX: Alternatives to Anger for Parents and Caregivers
September 16: Talking With Kids About Differences
September 23: Young at Art
September 30: RELAX: Alternatives to Anger for Parents and Caregivers
Allegan County families find our Booth at the Allegan County Fairgrounds, and register for our GLOW-IN-THE-DARK raffle package!
Allegan County families find our Booth at the Allegan County Fairgrounds, and register for our GLOW-IN-THE-DARK raffle package!
We are offering FREE Great Start Families Connected Events this fall. Registration will remain open until we are full at bit.ly/familiesconnected2026
TODAY (September 5th) is our 2nd September "Let's Talk About Our Community" Play-and-Learn at JC Wheeler Public Library from 10:30-11:30am. Families with children ages 0-5 years old are encouraged to join our FREE playgroups. Each family receives a FREE Book to take home.
TOMORROW (September 5th) is our 2nd September "Let's Talk About Our Community" Play-and-Learn at JC Wheeler Public Library from 10:30-11:30am. Families with children ages 0-5 years old are encouraged to join our FREE playgroups. Each family receives a FREE Book to take home.
TODAY (September 4th) is our 1st September "Let's Talk About Our Community" Play-and-Learn at Allegan District Library from 10:30-11:30am. Families with children ages 0-5 years old are encouraged to join our FREE playgroups. Each family receives a FREE Book to take home.
TOMORROW (September 4th) is our 1st September "Let's Talk About Our Community" Play-and-Learn at Allegan District Library from 10:30-11:30am. Families with children ages 0-5 years old are encouraged to join our FREE playgroups. Each family receives a FREE Book to take home.
Don't forget to schedule your September hearing, vision, and oral health screeners.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Our 2nd Annual Michigan Indian Day Celebration is on Thursday, September 25th from 4-6pm at Camp Jijak in Hopkins.
Join MSU Extension The Parent Talk System , Tuesdays, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14 (7:30-9 pm). Register at https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ymsFvepoXP3cFw
Join MSU Extensions on 9/10 (7-8:30pm) for Intro Into Hope Framework
Register: https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dZEat3Y_RLmerD7NcoQGyA
Register: https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dZEat3Y_RLmerD7NcoQGyA
Join MSU Extensions on Thursday, September 11, 18, 25, and October 2, 9 (7:30-9pm). Register
at https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dd7Nnn1h8Y1TcNg
at https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dd7Nnn1h8Y1TcNg
HAPPY SEPTEMBER! "Let's Talk About Our Community" at home or FREE Talking is Teaching Play-and-Learns across Allegan County.
Join MSU Extension Classes - September 2nd: Working Together to Develop Early Literacy Skills and/or September 9th: Back to the Basics: Skills in Infant and Toddler Care from 8- 9:30 PM. Register at https://bit.ly/4oskK2I
Protect Michigan's Youngest Learners: Keep Section 32p Early Childhood Funding Dedicated
Great Start Collaboratives and Family Coalitions are not duplicative programs. They are the backbone of early childhood infrastructure in Michigan. Their neutral, cross-sector leadership ensures every family has a place at the table and that no child falls through the cracks.
We urge Michigan lawmakers to:
✅ Maintain Section 32p as a dedicated funding line
✅ Reject proposals to merge it into Section 22f
✅ Protect the statewide network of Great Start Collaboratives and Family Coalitions that make our systems work
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!
🖊️ Add your name and stand with us to protect Section 32p and the systems that support every Michigan child’s great start in life.
https://chng.it/HN42RYr4GP
Great Start Collaboratives and Family Coalitions are not duplicative programs. They are the backbone of early childhood infrastructure in Michigan. Their neutral, cross-sector leadership ensures every family has a place at the table and that no child falls through the cracks.
We urge Michigan lawmakers to:
✅ Maintain Section 32p as a dedicated funding line
✅ Reject proposals to merge it into Section 22f
✅ Protect the statewide network of Great Start Collaboratives and Family Coalitions that make our systems work
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!
🖊️ Add your name and stand with us to protect Section 32p and the systems that support every Michigan child’s great start in life.
https://chng.it/HN42RYr4GP
🎉 It’s Book Reveal Time! 🎉
We’re excited to announce the 2025 NEA BIG • MIDDLE • LITTLE • MINI Read Lakeshore titles!
Allegan County’s Great Start Collaborative is proud to team up with Hope College for the third year in a row to celebrate stories, spark conversations, and share the joy of reading with all ages this fall.
We’re excited to announce the 2025 NEA BIG • MIDDLE • LITTLE • MINI Read Lakeshore titles!
Allegan County’s Great Start Collaborative is proud to team up with Hope College for the third year in a row to celebrate stories, spark conversations, and share the joy of reading with all ages this fall.
We need Allegan County parents and grandparents to join our Great Start Collaborative meetings to ensure decisions reflect local families' needs. Participants who attend any of our GSC "Whole Group" or "School Advisory Committee" Meetings will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card for their participation. Sign up at bit.ly/GSCMeetings2026.
SAVE THE DATES!
Join Kelli Stuifbergen this school year for FREE Coffee Connections! These relaxed gatherings give Allegan County parents and caregivers a chance to connect, share experiences, and chat about parenting, while little ones (ages 0-5 years old) enjoy playtime in a welcoming space. Location TBD. Register at bit.ly/2026CoffeeConnection
Great Start "Families Connected" Events are back again this school year. Don't forget to register your family for the events requiring registration at bit.ly/familiesconnected2026.
