Early Childhood

Great Start Collaborative receives preschool grant funding from local foundations

The Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties recently received preschool funding that will support families and children in Northern Michigan.  The Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation both provided funding to the Great Start Preschool Scholarship Program.   “Having access to high-quality, early childcare […]

‘Meet the Doulas’ publication available for community, professionals

Earlier this spring, 23 area residents underwent training to become Michigan Department of Health & Human Services certified doulas, through a program coordinated by the Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties. Now, the community can access these doulas, learn about their training, and contact them for services through […]

Go Baby Go! build helps local 2-year-old with mobility

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, Char-Em ISD staff worked with Boyne City High School robotics students, Bear River Electric volunteer engineers, and community volunteers to customize a child-size ride-on vehicle for a 2-year-old boy with disabilities who resides in the Boyne Falls School District. This project is inspired by Go Baby Go!, a national program […]

EJ Celebrates National Reading Month with a Book Drive for Kids

During the month of March – designated each year as National Reading Month – East Jordan’s EJ company harnessed the power of community by inviting staff to participate in a book drive to benefit the Great Start Collaborative & Parent Coalition’s FreeCycle Book Project. The drive was organized by the company’s EJ Social Committee. The […]

Doula training to be held in Boyne City in May 2023

New Medicaid coverage of doula services expected to increase demand BOYNE CITY – Pregnant individuals and their families in Michigan have a new birthing option that is covered by Medicaid as of Jan. 1, 2023 – doula services. Michigan Medicaid insurance will now cover different types of doula services, including community-based doulas, prenatal doulas, labor […]

$5,000 preschool grant supports tuition for Northern Michigan families

The Consumers Energy Foundation recently granted $5,000 to the Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties to support preschool tuition for families in need.  “The Great Start Collaborative aims to ensure all children are developmentally ready to succeed in school at the time of school entry. A key to […]

Great Start hosts volunteer drop-in, distributes Baby Bundles

Earlier in November, the Great Start Collaborative hosted its second drop-in volunteer day and it was another smashing hit in terms of new faces and generous volunteers, according to GSC Director Savanah Cool.  “Additionally, we created new partnerships with child welfare agencies, providing them each a set of 15 unique Talking is Teaching Baby Bundles […]

‘Talking is Teaching’ campaign expands to Emmet County’s Camp Petosega

Visitors to Emmet County’s Camp Petosega will have something new to talk about during their next visit: A new Talking is Teaching trail has been established by the Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition of Charlevoix, Emmet and Northern Antrim Counties. Talking is Teaching is a national public awareness and action campaign from Too Small […]

Calling all families who grocery shop with their kids!

‘Talking is Teaching’ arriving with fun giveaways in local grocery stores June 18, 2022 Families with children ages birth through five who bring their children grocery shopping are encouraged to stop by Louie’s Fresh Market locations on Saturday, June 18, 2022, for new “Talking is Teaching” campaign celebrations. Talking is Teaching is an initiative of […]

Charlevoix County Community Foundation grants support preschool tuition

This year brought a new partnership between the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and the Great Start Collaborative of Charlevoix, Emmet, and northern Antrim counties, with the foundation awarding several grants for preschool scholarships.  This past spring, the foundation provided tuition support of $5,220 benefitting seven children in Charlevoix and Boyne City. On May 23, 2022, […]

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State of Community report 2026

30 years of Career and Technical Education in Char-Em ISD! There continue to be many uncertainties in the world of education, but one constant supported by our regional communities is Career and Technical Education, also known as the skilled trades or vocational...

New grant to address social media and youth

From Behavioral Health Coordinator, Alicia Schlehuber, Dec. 16, 2025 The urgent issue of social media's impact on youth mental health remains a top concern, as recently highlighted at the Advancing School Mental Health Conference put on by the National Center for...

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