Kalamazoo County Great Start Collaborative

Kalamazoo RESA Early Childhood

An update regarding our early childhood programming and communication

Dear friends,

By now you have probably heard that the Great Start Collaborative will be dissolved at Kalamazoo RESA as of December 19th, due to State budgetary cuts. We want to take this moment to thank our community partners, families and stakeholders in working alongside the Great Start Collaborative these past 20 years, strengthening parent voice and early childhood systems throughout Kalamazoo County. We are grateful for the innumerable learnings from our time with you, and our friendships that will surely endure.

The Kalamazoo County Talking is Teaching campaign will continue through separate grant funding. Please continue to reach out to Jen Stroven for early literacy support and participation in the Talking is Teaching campaign. She can be reached at [email protected].

Best wishes, with grateful hearts ---

Sarah Drumm, Ashley Drenth, Deirdre Bartells, Jen Stroven

“The foundations (of the GSC) are very clear — that family engagement, early literacy, and coordinating resources needed for parents ensure all kids are ready for kindergarten,” said John Severson, executive director of MAISA. “If we can do that well, we know through research there’s a great shot of them reading by third grade. That’s part of the work linking this whole system together."

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/12/05/michigan-early-childhood-funding-cut/87548063007/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOnEZ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFMQ0Zqdk1pT2x6N1B0cWVYc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk1_RblNDyNobS4ugxPl7mCITPq9N-4SItuZXGk2NstzCrCP9kzphJB4KPMt_aem_9z54GxzNnJPX_7BD01v-hg

Parents 'stranded, lost' without state's long running early childhood program In the wake of the state's elimination of a 20-year early childhood program, counties are scrambling to continue supporting families with young children.

Parents & Caregivers: We hope you can join us for our final virtual Strong Roots Cafe on Thursday, December 11th from 1:30-2:30pm. We will spend time connecting and talking about the Protective Factor: Supporting Feelings. Sign up HERE: https://forms.gle/MqNF1xEf1bU8Ni5Y8

What to expect:
✅Real Talk: Share parenting wins and challenges in a supportive space
✅Recharge time: Meet other parents & caregivers who "get it"
✅Fresh Ideas: Practical tips to strengthen your family!

Grateful for this article written by the amazing and intelligent Jayme Vosovic and Allison Keessen.

Elimination of Great Start Collaborative funding is a major setback for early childhood development in Michigan – MLPP We’re pleased to feature this blog co-written by Jayme Vosovic, Community Engagement Director at the Michigan League for Public Policy, and Allison Keessen, Coordinator, Great Start Collaborative of Muskegon County. A version of this column originally appeared in Michigan Advance. While Michigan l...

Some of our favorite people! Aubrey, Josh and Adrian!

This episode of The Village Speaks brings a fresh perspective as these two children share some of their favorite things about their father. 💙 We often hear parents talk about providing for their children, but this episode is a reminder that it’s the simple moments that often mean the most. So today, take a minute to share a good Dad Joke, laugh a little, and enjoy some quality time with your kids. 😄👨‍👧‍👦 Thank you Precision Productions for capturing this video 👍🏾. #FatherhoodNetwork #thesimplethings

Thank you Birth Kalamazoo! We are so grateful for our amazing community partners, and all you do to support families!

Twice this year, we’ve been gifted with items for families with fewer resources by the Kalamazoo County Great Start Collaborative. Strollers, pack and plays, wraps for baby wearing, Arm’s Reach cosleepers, sleep sacks, monitors, and more have all been going out to our clients who have Medicaid insurance. Our doula and Medicaid coordinator Izzy was at the office today to grab some items to deliver to families. It’s a joy to be able to gift these items on!

On a sad and frustrating note though, did you know that Michigan’s 2025-26 budget eliminated all funding for Great Start Collaboratives around the state? There are so many amazing programs that are shutting down, including the Great Start here in Kalamazoo County. Let your legislators know if you’re as unhappy about that as we are. Thank you, Great Start colleagues! You are seen and appreciated, and your work continues to make a difference. ❤️💔❤️

https://nowkalamazoo.org/newsletter/archive/11-24-25-great-start-at-an-end/