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Early Childhood                                        Click here for a PDF version of this page

Statewide Organizations Concerned with Early Childhood Services in Michigan
Compiled by the Michigan Association of United Ways*
Updated: July 1, 2005

ACCESS (American Associate Degree Early Childhood Educators)
Focus:
Associate Degree standards for early childhood, articulation agreements and competence measures across colleges and life long learning
Key Contact: Rebecca Brinks
Website
- www.accessece.org

Association for Child Development
Focus:
Sponsors the Child and Adult Care Food Program for all state licensed child-care providers
Key Contact: Cathleen Logan
cathleenlogan@acdcacfp.org - 517-332-7200
Website:
www.acdcacfp.org

Association for Children's Mental Health (ACMH)
Focus: For families with children who are experiencing mental, emotional, or behaviorial problems, free family-to-family support in negoitating early intervention, CMH, and other community services. 
Key Contact: Amy Winans, Executive Director   517-381-5125 or toll free at 1-888-226-4543
Email:
acmhadmin@sbcglobal.net
Website:
www.acmh-mi.org

Bridge 4 Kids
Focus:
Provides a comprehensive system of information and referral for parents and professionals working with children from birth through transition to adult life, with a special focus on those who have disabilities, special needs, or who are at-risk.  Supports nonprofit organizations that share our mission with web design, data collection, telephone referral services and technical assistance.
Key Contact: Deborah Canja –
deb@bridges4kids.org
517-381-0528 or toll free at 1-877-553-KIDS
Website:
www.bridges4kids.org

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder of Michigan (CHADD)
Focus: Serving individuals with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) and to better the lives of individuals with attention deficit disorders and those who care for them.
Key Contact: Toll Free: 800-233-4050
Website:
http://www.chaddmi.com/ 

Children’s Action Network
Key Contacts:
Kristen McDonald -
mcdonald-stonek@michigan.gov - 517-373-4116
Sue Carnell –   
carnells@michigan.gov - 517-335-4380
Website:
www.greatstartforkids.org 

Children’s Charter of the Courts
Focus: 
Addresses issues, which bring children in contact with Michigan's Courts, circumstances that unnecessarily lengthen children's involvement with the courts, or place children at risk of becoming involved with the courts. Primary focus is child abuse and neglect.  State support office for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and state chapter (with Children's Trust Fund) of Prevent Child Abuse America. Training, education and advocacy around child and family concerns.
Key Contact:  William Newhouse - billnewhouse@childcrt.org - 517-482-7533
Website -
www.childcrt.org

Children’s Trust Fund
Key Contact:
  Deborah Strong -
strongD@michigan.gov - 517-373-4320
Website:
http://www.michigan.gov/fia/1,1607,7-124-5460_7172---,00.html

Citizens Alliance To Uphold Special Education (CAUSE)
Focus: The parent training information center for the State of Michigan. A statewide nonprofit coalition providing free information, referral, support, advocacy, and workshops to parents and professionals working with children with disabilities and special needs.
Key Contact: Executive Director - 800-221-9105 or 517-886-9167 -
info@causeonline.org
Website: www.causeonline.org

Community Collaboratives – 76 Community Collaboratives in Michigan
Focus:
  Coordinate and collaborate all services to children and youth at the county level
Key Contact:  Mary Ludtke, DCH -
LUDTKEM@michigan.gov - 517-241-5769
Website:
www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2941_4868_7145-14660--,00.html

Early Childhood Investment Corporation – To be added

Families and Communities Together (FACT) – MSU
Focus:
MSU FACT Coalition is a university-wide coalition that supports multidisciplinary research, outreach and Extension efforts in criticalchildren, youth and family issues across Michigan.  A current early childhood literacy collaboration brings together university expertise from education, human ecology, Extension and communications to improve school readiness by developing programs and materials to involve parents, reach vulnerable populations, train child care providers and mobilize community involvement.
Key Contact: Patricia Farrell –
farrellp@msu.edu - 517-355-4572
Website:
www.fact.msu.edu     

 

Fight Crime, Invest in Kids
Focus:
An anti-crime nonprofit organization led by chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and crime survivors whose mission is to helpthe public and our leaders understand that our most powerful weapons against crime are the programs proven to keep kids from becoming criminals in the first place.  These include early childhood programs, quality Head Start and child care, prevention of child abuse and neglect, good schools and after-school programs, as well as programs that nip delinquency in the bud by getting troubled kids back on track.
Key Contact:  K. P. Pelleran -
kppelleran@fightcrime.org - 517-371-3565
Website:
www.fightcrime.org

Head Start - State Collaboration Program
Focus: 
Coordination of state and local programs with Michigan’s Head Start grantees and liaison with the federal government
Key Contact:  Nancy Willyard, HS-SCP Director -
willyardn@michigan.gov - 517-241-5091
Website: www.mhsa.ws then click “hsscp”.      

High/Scope Educational Research Foundation
Focus: Evaluative research, curriculum development, training, publishing, and communication to lift lives through education.
Key Contacts: Dr. Larry Schweinhart, President,
lschweinhart@highscope.org 
Gavin Haque, Educational Services Director,
ghaque@highscope.org 734-485-2000
Website:
www.highscope.org

Institute for Children, Youth and Families - MSU
Focus:
A multidisciplinary institute supporting university-community collaboration in research, outreach and policy analysis to improve the lives of children, youth and families from diverse communities.
Key Contacts:  Dr. Esther Onaga, Acting Director –
onaga@msu.edu - 517-353-6617
Website:
www.icyf.msu.edu

Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health
Focus:  Nurturing and strengthening relationships between infants and their caregivers
Key Contact: Betty Tableman -
tableman@msu.edu - 517-432-7138
Website:
http://mi-aimh.msu.edu/intro/index.html
Michigan Association for The Education Of Young Children
Focus:  Promoting quality education and the well-being of young children through professional development and advocacy.
Key Contacts: Keith Myers, Executive Director -
kmyers@miaeyc.org
Steve Manchester, Public Policy Specialist -
smanchester@miaeyc.org   517-336-9700
Website:
www.miaeyc.org       
Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education - Early Childhood Committee
Focus:  Early childhood special education and inclusion
Key Contact:  Tom Koepke –
koepke@misd.k12.mi.us - 734-242-5799 x 1400
Website:
http://maase.org/        
Michigan Association for Community and Adult Education
Focus: Enhance member effectiveness by providing the highest quality of information services, professional training and legislative support to make possible the delivery of comprehensive community education services for all.
Key Contact:    Ken Walsh, Executive Director -
MACAE@macae.org - 517-321-2395
Website:
www.macae.org

Michigan Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators
Focus:
  College and university early childhood teacher preparation
Key Contact:  Regina Nelson, W.M.U. -
nelsonr@wmich.edu - 269-387-3509
Website:
www.naecte.org/staffils/MI.html 

Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators
Focus:
The mission of Michigan's educational service agencies (ISDs, RESAs, RESDs), is to provide visionary leadership and quality services to strengthen teaching and learning for all citizens.
Key Contact:  Jon Tomlanovich, Associate Executive Director -
jont@gomasa.org -
517-327-9260
Website:
www.gomaisa.org

Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators, Early Childhood Committee
Focus:  The importance of early childhood education
Key Contact:  Sally Vaughn, Livingston Educational Service Agency
vaughns@gwise.lesa.k12.mi.us - 517-540-6802
Website: www.gomaisa.org

Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA)
Focus: 
Services to school administrators and quality leadership on educational issues
Key Contact:  Position vacant - 517-327-9262
Website:
http://gomasa.org/ 

Michigan Association Of School Boards (MASB)
Focus:
  Quality educational leadership services to all Michigan boards of education; advocacy for student achievement and public education
Key Contact:  Justin King –
jking@masb.org - 517-327-5934
Website:
www.masb.org 

Michigan Association of United Ways
Focus:  Support of community service systems with excellence, leadership, and partnerships
Key Contact:  Bob Parks –
bparks@uwmich.org - 517-371-4360
Website:
www.uwmich.org      
Michigan Child Care Task Force
Focus:  Advocacy and education related to early childhood education and care
Key Contacts: Jane Zehnder-Merrell, MLHS –
janez@mlan.net
Richard Lower, Michigan Head Start Association – richard@mhsa.ws             
Jane Zehnder-Merrell517-487-5436
Richard Lower – 517-374‑6472         
W
ebsite:
www.miaeyc.com/taskforce/taskforce_page.html         
Michigan Coalition for Children and Families
Focus:  Legislative priority of prevention and advocacy for programs to prevent problems
Key Contacts: Michele Strasz, MCMCH -
MTSTRASZ@aol.com - 517-482-5807
Bill Long - long.w@sbcglobal.net
Website:
www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modml/00000004.html  

Michigan Community Coordinated Child Care Network (4-C)
Focus:  Quality early childhood education and care.

·        Child care referral services – 1-866-4CHILDCARE or 1-866-424-4532 (through 15 regional 4C offices)

·        Child care provider training (through 15 regional 4C offices)

·        T.E.A.C.H.

·        EQUIP grants

·        Start-Up grants

·        Scholarships and incentives e.g., accreditation, child care, training, etc. (through 15 regional 4C offices and at the Michigan 4C Association office)

Key Contact:  Mark Sullivan – Sullivan@mi4c.org - 517-351-4171 x 11         
Website: www.mi4c.org

Michigan 4C Association regional offices
4C Child Care Unlimited, (Flint region), 810-232-0145.
www.flint4c.org
4C of the Upper Peninsula, 906-228-3362. www.4c-up.com
Child & Family Services/NE MI 4C, 989-354-8089. http://4c-ne.com
Child Advocacy 4C of Central Michigan, 989-463-1422. www.linkforfamilies.org
Child Care Concepts, Family & Children's Services,  989-631-5390, EXT. 3335. www.ccc4c.com
Child Care Connections/NW MI 4C, 231-941-9412.  www.nwmi4c.org
Child Care Network, Washtenaw Regional 4C, 734-975-1840. www.childcarenetwork.org
Child Care Resources, Kalamazoo Regional 4C, 269-349-3296. www.workfamilysolutions.com
Children’s Resource Network, Ottawa Regional 4C,     616-396-8151. www.crn.ne
Detroit/Wayne County 4C, 313-259-4411. http://comnet.org/local/orgs/4c
Kent Regional 4C, 616-451-8281. www.4cchildcare.org
Livingston County 4C Council, 517-548-9112. www.childcare4c.com
Macomb/St. Clair 4C, 586-469-6993. http://macombcountymi.gov/MSUEXTENSION/4C_Index.asp
Oakland County 4C Council, 248-681-9192. www.oaklandchildcare.org
Office for Young Children, Ingham Regional 4C, 517-887-4319. www.ingham.org/hd/oyc
Saginaw Valley Regional 4C, 989-497-0680. www.svr4c.org

Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health
Focus:  Advocacy on maternal and child health issues in Michigan
Key Contact:  Paul Shaheen –
pshaheen@mcmch.org - 517-482-5807
Website:
www.mcmch.com     
Michigan County Social Services Association
Focus: Department of Human Services client advocacy
Key contact:  Mel Haga, Interim Director -
mel@mcssa.com 517-371-5303
Website: 
www.mcssa.com      
Michigan Department of Education
Key Contacts:  Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services  - 517-373-8483
Lindy Buch – Director, -
buchl@michigan.gov
Renee DeMars-Johnson - Even Start State Coordinator -
Demars-Johnson@michigan.gov
Vanessa Winborne – Early On State Coordinator -
winbornev@michigan.gov
Connie Robinson – Michigan School Readiness Program -
robinsonconnie@michigan.gov
Jacqueline Wood –Great Parents/Great Start -
woodjac@michigan.gov
Website:
www.michigan.gov/mde
Michigan Department of Community Health
Key Contacts: Doug Paterson –
patersond@michigan.gov - 517-335-8928
Sheri Falvay -
FALVAY@michigan.gov - 517-241-5762
Mary Scoblic –
scoblicm@michigan.gov - 517-335-8915
Website:
www.michigan.gov/mdch
SAFE KIDS - Led by Michigan Department of Community Health
Focus: To prevent accidental childhood injury, a leading killer of children 14 and under.
Key Contact: Jeff Spitzley -
spitzleyj2@michigan.gov - 517-335-8131
Website:
www.safekids.org
Michigan Department of Human Services
Key Contacts:  Melody Sievert, State Child Care Administrator,
sievertm@michigan.gov -
517-241-0669
Kathi Pioszak, Children’s Services Administration,
pioszakk@michigan.gov – 517-335-6186
Jim Sinnamon, Director, Child Day Care Licensing, 
jssinna@michigan.gov  - 517-373-8300
Kristen McDonald, Federal Liaison / Policy Advisor,
mcdonald-stonek@michigan.gov - 517-373-4116 
Website:
www.michigan.gov/dhs
 

Michigan Directory of Service Providers for Infants, Toddlers, and Students with Disabilities
Focus:
Intended for parents, educators, and other service providers seeking resource information related to the educational needs of children, students, and clients. The directory contains contact information about resources for children ages birth to three with special needs and their families (Michigan's Early On® population) and students ages 3-26 with disabilities. 
Website:
http://www.cenmi.org/se_directory.asp 

Michigan Early Childhood Professionals Consortium
Focus:  A statewide professional development system for individuals working with young children
Key Contacts: Laurie Nickson -
lnickson@miaeyc.org - 517-336-9790 ext.25 
Erin McGovern -
erinmcgovern@kentisd.org - 616-447-3080 
Website:  None
Michigan Federation for Children and Families
Focus:  Efficient and effective services to Michigan’s at- risk children, families and individuals
Key Contact:  Elizabeth Carey - elizabeth@michfed.org - 517-485-8552         
Website:
www.michfed.org
Michigan Head Start Association
Focus:  Advocacy for the needs of the state’s poorest children
Key Contact:  Richard Lower -
richard@mhsa.ws - 517-374-6472
Website: www.mhsa.ws 

Head Start - State Collaboration Program
Focus: 
Coordination of state and local programs with Michigan’s Head Start grantees and liaison with the federal government
Key Contact:  Nancy Willyard, HS-SCP Director -
willyardn@michigan.gov - 517-241-5091
Website: www.mhsa.ws then click “hsscp”.

Michigan League For Human Services
Focus:
  Identify and help solve Michigan’s health and social welfare problems through
research, analysis, dissemination and advocacy (example Kids Count Data)

Key Contact:  Jane Zehnder-Merrell - janez@mlan.net - 517-487-5436
Website: www.milhs.org    

Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc.
Focus:
Provides information and referral, short term assistance, limited direct representation, systemic advocacy, training, publications, and other advocacy for persons with disabilities, including young children at risk or with disabilities. 
Key contact:  Information and Referral, through website, or 800-288-5923.
Website: 
www.mpas.org

Michigan Providers Alliance
Focus:
 Promoting quality child-care through provider education. A training resource for child-care providers in Michigan.
Key Contact: Penny Mitchell -
pmitchell@mpamich.com - 877-868-4672        
Website: 
www.mpamich.com  

Michigan Ready to Succeed Partnership
Focus:  Partnerships across community sectors to ensure that all Michigan children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and in life.
Key Contact: Suzanne Miel-Uken –
smiel-uken@pscinc.com -  517-484-4954  
Website:
www.readytosucceed.org
Michigan’s Children
Focus:  Legislative activities related to children’s issues in Michigan
Key Contact:  Sharon Peters –
peters.sharon@michiganschildren.org -517-485-3500
Website:
www.michiganschildren.org   
Middle Cities Early Childhood Task Force
Focus:  Advocacy for middle cities’ programs serving at-risk children
Key Contact:  Jill Swanson -
jswanson@remc12.k12.mi.us - 269-965-9624
Website:
www.middlecities.org/earlychild.htm

Office of the Children’s Ombudsman
Key contact: Michael Harmon, Acting Director -
517-373-3077
Website: www.michigan.gov/oco           

Parenting Awareness Michigan
Focus:  A Michigan initiative to promote awareness, education, and resources – through state outreach and local efforts -- emphasizing the importance of effective parenting in nurturing children.  PAM provides materials, resources, and technical assistance.
Key Contact:  Luanne Beaudry -
pamcampaign@preventionnetwork.org -1-800-968-4968,
Web Site:
www.preventionnetwork.org or www.preventionnetwork.org/pam%20homepage.htm

Safe Kids
Led by Michigan Department of Community Health
Focus: To prevent accidental childhood injury, a leading killer of children 14 and under.
Key Contact: Jeff Spitzley -
spitzleyj2@michigan.gov - 517-335-8131
Website:
www.safekids.org

School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan (SCHA-MI)
Focus: 
  SCHA-MI is a statewide service and advocacy organization whose mission is to promote access to quality primary health care and prevention services for all of Michigan's children with an emphasis on access to care through school-based/school-linked health centers.  Michigan's school-linked health centers provide comprehensive heath care and support services for pregnant and parenting teens, including prenatal care and health care and support services to children of pregnant and parenting adolescents.
Key Contact:  Debbie Brinson, Deb Brinson -
DBrinson@scha-mi.org -
517-381-8000, ext. 219
Website: 
www.scha-mi.org

Secondary Educators for Early Childhood (SEEC) 
Focus:
Enhance communication between teachers of secondary students in State-approved Occupational Child Care Programs. Help shape the future of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. Provide promising practices and updates to the teachers of the 65 programs and 3,500 students interested in a career in Early Childhood education and/or Child Care. 
Key Contact: Nicki Cassidy, Mecosta-Osceola Career Center  231-796-805 -
ncassidy@MOISD.k12.mi.us
Website: None

Special Education State and Local Interagency Coordinating Councils
Focus:   IDEA-Part C advisory oversight and policy recommendations
Key Contact:  Vanessa Winborne -
WinborneV@michigan.gov - 517-335-4865  
Website: None
 

State Alliance of Michigan YMCA’s
Focus:
To serve, connect and lead the movement in building strong and healthy YMCAs
Key Contact: Kevin Bush -
Kevin.Bush@YMCA.NET - 734-462-1585

State of Michigan Departments
Focus: Committed to collaboration and the improvement of early childhood education and care services, public policy and the protection of children.
Head Start - State Collaboration Program
Focus:  Coordination of state and local programs with Michigan’s Head Start grantees and liaison with the federal government
Key Contact:  Nancy Willyard, HS-SCP Director - willyardn@michigan.gov - 517-241-5091
Website: www.mhsa.ws then click “hsscp”.
Michigan Department of Education
Key Contacts:  Lindy Buch – buchl@michigan.gov - 517-373-8483
Jacqueline Wood
woodjac@michigan.gov - 517-241-4741  
Website:
www.michigan.gov/mde
 
Michigan Department of Community Health
Key Contacts: Doug Paterson – patersond@michigan.gov - 517-335-8928
Sheri Falvay -
FALVAY@michigan.gov - 517-241-5762
Mary Scoblic –
scoblicm@michigan.gov - 517-335-8915
Website:
www.michigan.gov/mdch
Michigan Department of Human Services
Key Contacts:  Melody Sievert, State Child Care Administrator,
sievertm@michigan.gov - 517-241-0669
Kathi Pioszak, Children’s Services Administration,
pioszakk@michigan.gov – 517-335-6186 
Jim Sinnamon, Director, Child Day Care Licensing,
jssinna@michigan.gov  - 517-373-8300
Kristen McDonald, Federal Liaison / Policy Advisor,
mcdonald-stonek@michigan.gov -
517-373-4116
Website:
www.michigan.gov/dhs

Michigan Directory of Service Providers for Infants, Toddlers, and Students with Disabilities
Focus:
Intended for parents, educators, and other service providers seeking resource information related to the educational needs of children, students, and clients. The directory contains contact information about resources for children ages birth to three with special needs and their families (Michigan's Early On® population) and students ages 3-26 with disabilities.
Website:
http://www.cenmi.org/se_directory.asp

Office of the Children’s Ombudsman
Key contact: Michael Harmon, Acting Director - 517-373-3077
Website: www.michigan.gov/oco

Children’s Trust Fund
Key Contact:
  Deborah Strong -
strongD@michigan.gov - 517-373-4320
Website:
http://www.michigan.gov/fia/1,1607,7-124-5460_7172---,00.html

Children’s Action Network
Key Contacts: Kristen McDonald - mcdonald-stonek@michigan.gov - 517-373-4116
Sue Carnell –   
carnells@michigan.gov - 517-335-4380
Website:
www.greatstartforkids.org

Great Start for Kids
Key Contact: Joan Blough – info@greatstartforkids.org - 269-345-5968
Website:
www.greatstartforkids.org 

Zero to Five Advocacy Network (ZFAN)
Focus:
  Collaboration and advocacy for home visitor prevention programs serving families and young children
Key Contact:  William Newhouse - billnewhouse@childcrt.org - 517-482-7533
Website:
www.childcrt.org/zfan.html

 

*Bob Parks,Director of Membership Services,Michigan Association of United Ways
1627 Lake Lansing Road, Suite B,Lansing, Michigan  48912-3789
(517) 371-4360 / voice,(517) 371-5860 / fax
bparks@uwmich.org / email
www.uwmich.org / web

 

 
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