Link to a variety of resources to support families and children in your care. Check back often as links to valuable resources are continually being added!
Local, State & National Resources
National Resources
Advocacy
New American Foundation The New America Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States.
Every Child Matters Education Fund Established in 2001, the Every Child Matters Education Fund is is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization working to make public investments in children, youth, and families a national political priority.
Children, Abuse and Trauma
24-Hour Parent Support & Crisis Intervention Helpline
Trauma- Informed care for Children Exposed to Violence
Tips for Parents & Other Caregivers
Tips for Early Childhood Providers
Tips for Engaging Men and Fathers
Tips for Domestic Violence and Homeless Shelters
Language and Early Literacy Activities (Free & Reproducible)
Health and Safety
A 5-Day Visual and Musical Curriculum Teaching Hand Washing in Child Care Centers
Child Care Resources for Disasters & Emergencies
Safe Sleep Advisory for Michigan
Screen Free Moments: Promoting Healthy Habits will show you a few simple ways to limit or even eventually eliminate screen time in your family child care home.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission The Consumer Product Safety Commission is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Infant/Children Product Recalls
Safe Kids, free car seat inspections, water safety information, home safety education Safe Kids USA is a nationwide network of organizations working to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading case of death and disability for children ages 1 to 14. To receive Safe Kids USA bi-monthly newsletter, click here and enter your email address in the blue 'Sign Up' for email updates box in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage.
Professional Development Associations
NAEYC The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children with nearly 80,000 members, a national network of more than 300 state and local Affiliates, and a growing global alliance of like-minded organizations. To get public policy updates from NAEYC, click here, scroll down to the bottom of the page, click on 'NAEYC Email List' under the Stay information heading and enter your information.
NACCRRA - the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies leads projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families.
NAFCC - the National Association for Family Child Care NAFCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting quality child care by strengthening the profession of family child care.
National Association of Head Start - Their vision is to be the untiring voice that will not be quiet until every vulnerable child is served with the Head Start model of support for the whole child, the family and the community.
Resources
Casel: Collaborative for Academic social and emotional Learning
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.
Child Care Exchange is committed to supporting early childhood professionals worldwide in their efforts to craft early childhood environments where adults and children thrive- environments that foster friendship, curiosity, self-esteem, joy, and respect; where the talents of all are fully challenged and justly rewarded. Exchange Everyday is delivered five days a week and contains news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more. To receive Exchange Everyday, click here and enter your email address on the homepage, on the right-hand side in the yellow box!
Colorin Colorado A free web-based service that provides information, activities, and advice for educators and Spanish-speaking families of English language learners (ELL's). To subscribe to Colorin Colorado's newsletter click here, and enter your email address on the homepage, on the right-hand side under the 'Free newsletters' heading.
Drug Free Communities Support Program Grantee Handbook 2011 Quick Reference Tool
Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center Locate a head start & access professional development resources.
Hatch: The Early Learning Experts Join us for these exciting webinars featuring invited experts covering the latest trends and best practices in early learning! New sessions are being added to the schedule and you may register to view on-demand recordings of past events any time.
Information for Early Childhood Providers and Parents Free milestone checklist, products and flyers
Parent Further A search resource institute for families.
TACSEI and CSEFEL The Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI) takes the research that shows which practices improve the social-emotional outcomes for young children with, or at risk for, delays or disabilities and creates FREE products and resources to help decision-makers, caregivers, and service providers apply these best practices in the work they do every day. The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country. To get updates from TACSEI and CSEFEL, subscribe by filling out your information here.
U.S. Department of Education Best practices, facts and research.
World Association of Early Childcare Educators (AMEI-WAECE) Weekly bulletin distributed free of charge in English, and Spanish to provide information on news and developments in the field of Early Childhood Education.
ZERO TO THREE is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. To receive emails on topics that are the most relevant and useful to you, either as an early childhood professional, or parent, click here and enter your email in the 'Get Connected' box in eh upper right-hand corner of Zero to Three's homepage.
State Resources
Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC)
Michigan Office of Great Start
The purpose of Great Start is to assure a coordinated system of community resources and supports to assist all Michigan families in providing a great start for their children from birth through age five.
Child Development and Care (CDC) Handbook (Revised 4/2011) For many families, the cost of safe, quality child care can affect the family budget. The Child Development and Care (CDC) Program may offer payment for child care services for some families when the parent is not able to provide child care because of: Employment, High School Completion, Approved Activity, Family Preservation. This handbook provides: General information about the Child Development and Care Program for parents and providers, and Additional provider information.
Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Infant and Toddler Programs
Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten
Early On® Michigan is the system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers, birth to three years of age, with developmental delays and/or disabilities. Early On supports families as their children learn and grow.
First Book This program offers books at a reduced price for programs serving low-income children.
Great Start CONNECT Resource Center Michigan's Great Start Connect Resource Center Website.
MIAEYC The Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children is committed to improving the education and welfare of children from birth through age eight.
Michigan Afterschool Partnership The Michigan After-School Partnership (MASP) is a statewide network developing a shared vision and influencing others to believe in the power of after-school programs to help all children and youth succeed. MASP links stakeholders interested in improving outcomes for children and youth through school-based/school-linked and enrichment after-school programs.
Michigan Department of Education
Michigan Department of Human Services The official State of Michigan website.
Michigan E-Library Resources MeL Subjects including: Books and Reading, Business and Jobs, Genealogy, Health and Wellness, Kids, Legal, Reference Desk, Teens, Full Text Magazines and Newspapers, Tests and Tutorials (GED, ACT, Careers, etc.) and Job and Career Accelerators.
Michigan Public School System Data MI School Data is your window to a wealth of data on Michigan's public school education system. MI School Data provides views of Michigan education data to help make informed educational decisions, to help improve instruction and to enable school systems to prepare a higher percentage of students to succeed in rigorous high school courses, college and challenging careers. Over time MI School Data will be expanded to provide you with more data, more reports and more ways to access the information important to you.
Michigan State University Extension Family is at the heart of many of MSUExtension’s programs, and keeping Michigan families strong and successful—financially, emotionally and physically—is a big part of measuring our own success. MSUExtension programs help you deal with issues related to the entire age spectrum, including topics such as aging and early childhood development. Programs devoted to keeping families safe include those dealing with bullying and violence prevention. Caregivers can find information to help them provide better care, and everyone can find help managing their complex family relationships. And in these financial times, nothing could be more welcome than programs that provide personal financial management help. Families can count on MSUE for the information they need.
Report of Actual or Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect Form for mandated reporting of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect.
Local Resources
LOCAL GREAT START COLLABORATIVES & PARENT COALITIONS
LOCAL AGENCY RESOURCES
- 2-1-1 Call Center Provides free and confidential information and referral. Call 2-1-1 for help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more. Learn more about your local 2-1-1 by looking it up here.
- Good Samaritan Care Closet Helps to fill the gap between what food stamps cover and the need for diapers, personal and cleaning items.
- The Salvation Army Each year, individuals an families turn to The Salvation army for help during the holidays, whether it's needed food for a Thanksgiving dinner or with Christmas gifts. Download the Assistance Schedule (PDF) in English or Spanish.
- Whole Family Connection Using online profiles, the Whole Family Connection identifies and matches familes' needs with service providers who can help them in areas such as education, health, social well-being, spiritual well-being, environment safety and economics.