WGVU By Leaps & Bounds: Recent Episodes
Shelley Irwin
Investments in high-quality early childhood care, education, and support programs do more than help children – they also strengthen our workforce and economy. How are communities in West and Southwest Michigan approaching prevention and early intervention in these systems of care? How do the programs benefit children, families, care and education providers, businesses, and taxpayers? Where are the gaps, and how do we fill them? Come along as we take a closer look.
Guests are Kate Robinson of Everbloom Montessori, Pastor Banza Mukalay, of Restoration Community Church and in-home childcare business owner, and Allison McCulley of Together West Michigan
Our guests are Jennifer Headley-Nordman, President, First Steps Kent and John Helmholdt, President, Seyferth PR.
Our guests are Erica Willard, Executive Director for the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children, and Dick Bulkowski, Executive Director, of Steepletown Neighborhood Services.
Our guests are Anne Kuhnen, Kids Count Director, Michigan League for Public Policy, and Tami Mannes, Organizational Lead for Western Early Childhood Support Network and Director of District Improvement & Early Childhood, Ottawa Area ISD.
We talk with Karissa Monzo, Family Support Navigator, and Blakelee Dunkelberg, Public Relations Specialist, from Family Futures
Joel Van Kuiken, Cole Williams, and Dowan Mansfield from the Delta Project are here to discuss evidenced-based curriculum developed by Cole Williams called Son to a Father.
Crystal Houston, Executive Director with the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, joins us to discuss preventative programs that aim to keep families together and keep children from entering the foster care system.
We’re joined by Jayme Vosovic, Community Engagement Specialist for the Michigan League for Public Policy.
As we continue looking at why Normal Was Never Enough, we examine pathways to building a more equitable child care system. Our guest today on By Leaps & Bounds is Chana Edmond-Verley, CEO, Vibrant Futures and Vice-Chair, Great Start Collaborative of Kent County.
Kate O’Keefe, Director of Development and Community Engagement, Family Promise, joins us
As we continue looking at why Normal Was Never Enough, we examine pathways to building a more equitable child care system.
Children whose fathers are involved in their lives are more confident, get better grades, and avoid risky behaviors, which is why it is critical that fathers and men in our community stay engaged, encouraged, and informed. In an effort to support fathers, Strong Beginnings and Grand Rapids African American Health Institute have partnered on a fatherhood initiative that seeks to strengthen families by encouraging fathers to play an active role in nurturing and raising their children.
Child care is essential to the economy, allowing parents to enter the workforce and providers to support both their businesses and families. COVID-19 has had a profound impact on child care, creating a child care crisis, underscoring the importance for a greater investment in issues of access and affordability as part of state recovery efforts, and leaving families and child advocates to push for big changes. MLPP is part of the Think Babies Michigan Collaborative, which is working to advocate for these changes.
Child care is essential to the economy, allowing parents to enter the workforce and providers to support both their businesses and families. COVID-19 has had a profound impact on child care, and underscored the importance for a greater investment in issues of access and affordability as part of state recovery efforts.
Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) provides high-quality early care and education programs in vulnerable neighborhoods of Grand Rapids, and is a model of a continuum of early childhood education services both in Kent County and the State of Michigan. From programs that support early learners to programming that supports families and advocacy work, ELNC partners within the communities they serve to ensure children are ready for kindergarten.
In addition to its impact on the many facets of everyday life for families, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the security of basic needs for families, including housing and food. Currently, Rental Payment Assistance and Emergency Food Assistance are two of the most frequent requests of callers to 2-1-1, the United Way Assistance line. In support of community efforts to achieve equitable outcomes for children, The Kent County Essential Needs Task Force works with partners such as the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness to address residents’ basic needs and to ensure equitable access to resources within the community.
Parent groups are a great way to connect with other parents. Not only are they a place to learn from other parents, but also learn about resources or opportunities in the community. Parent groups can also be a safe space to share their experiences and grow their parenting practices. Often parents feel less alone when facing challenges because of the relationships they develop with other parents and the support they find within the group.
When parents develop a secure attachment relationship with their child, it strengthens children’s self-esteem, concept and worth. Arbor Circle’s Early Childhood services team partners with parents to build their skills, help them bond with their children, and create a sense of security in their family. When a child faces mental health or other challenges, it can impact many parts of their life— from school performance to behavior at home and in the community. Arbor Circle works alongside families as they face these challenges, working to help both the child and family develop the resiliency to recover from the impact of adverse circumstances that can interfere with the ability to thrive.
The social, academic and behavioral skills that children develop in their early years creates a foundation for their future. Parent Educators partner with parents in understanding their child's development and how they learn best. Parent Educators offer support, parenting tips and strategies on topics most important to parents, personalized with information focused on each family's needs, concerns, and goals.
The first few years of life – between birth and kindergarten – are when a child’s brain will grow the fastest. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, parents are home with their children now more than ever. Parents, it’s important to know that you were made to be your child’s first and most important teacher. Don’t let that scare you, your child was born ready and excited to learn. They just need your love and guidance to get a great start.
Child care is one of the key essential services needed to get and keep our economy rolling. Families and employers alike are counting on the availability of child care slots to get everyone back to work. However, child care businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, albeit historical sector declines. Camp Fire West Michigan 4C is on-the-ground every day as a long-time “institution of trust” providing “hand to heart business support” to child care providers, helping them save their small business and focus on recovery, sustainability, and expansion.
Responding to the urgent need for educational resources when school buildings closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, WGVU mobilized to bring our West and Southwest Michigan communities high-quality, free At-Home Learning broadcast programming supported by on-line lessons and resources. WGVU has also organized many additional educational resources and materials for PreK-12 students that educators, parents and students can use to keep learning going while at home. WGVU Education Coordinator, Kristyn Bomberg, is here to give an update.
The COVID-19 crisis brought much of Michigan to a halt at the same time organizations across Kent County were ramping up their services for families with young children. The pandemic has undoubtedly created challenges, but the vital work hasn’t stopped. An urgent priority is ensuring high-quality child care for the children of essential workers.