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Big News! - The Regional Childcare Plan Has Been Released!
The United Way of the Lakeshore's Regional Childcare Coalition has unveiled a comprehensive childcare plan aimed at addressing the critical needs of families in Mason, Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, and Muskegon counties. This plan, developed through extensive surveys and focus groups, identifies three key barriers that hinder access to quality childcare in the region: staffing shortages, limited access, including affordability, availability, and quality, and insufficient employer engagement. To tackle these challenges, the coalition has outlined targeted strategies designed to enhance childcare workforce recruitment and retention, increase the availability of affordable, high-quality childcare options, and foster stronger partnerships with local employers to support working families. Together we will collaborate and advocate to build a stronger childcare community that supports families, childcare professionals, and the local economy.
What Is The Regional Childcare Coalition?
The United Way of the Lakeshore was the recipient of the Regional Childcare Planning Grant from the state of Michigan. Our grant serves Mason, Lake, Oceana, Newaygo, and Muskegon counties. Currently, our goals include assessing regional childcare needs, understanding municipal policies that might affect childcare, and creating an action plan for our region.
Looking for Childcare Programs & Don't Know Where To Start? Use Great Start to Quality!
Great Start to Quality is Michigan’s system, which sets the quality standards and evaluates the quality of early care and education programs. It is funded by the Department of Education. Great Start to Quality includes 10 Resource Centers across the state that work with programs to take steps to improve their quality. Great Start to Quality also shares information about programs with families and helps families select the right program for their needs.
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Great Start Collaborative for Mason, Lake, & Oceana Counties
Mason, Lake, and Oceana County Collaborative is dedicated individuals that work together to improve early childhood systems and services in our counties. We know the brain develops more rapidly in the first five years of life than at any other time in our lives, that is why our interactions are so important. We understand how important it is for each child to be safe, healthy and ready to succeed in school and in life. We also know that sometimes it takes the support of the entire community to make that happen.
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The Great Start of Muskegon!
The Great Start of Muskegon is a collaboration of parents, educators, health professionals, business and community leaders who are working together to ensure that our children are safe, healthy, and eager, and able to succeed in school and in life. New members are welcome.
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