MiFamily Engagement Centers serve as a nexus for resource development and capacity-building for those supporting educators, providing educational programs, linking families to community resources, and reaching out to families to better equip them in becoming partners in their child’s education. The centers serve as a system of support (not a physical location) and are administered by intermediate school districts with funding from MiLEAP.
Char-Em ISD is part of Region 2, which includes Manistee ISD, Northwest Education Services, and Wexford-Missaukee ISD. Questions? Contact Carolyn Beltz, Region 2 MiFamily Engagement Center Coordinator, at beltzc@charemisd.org or (231) 308-0248.
2025-26 Grant Recipients
The projects listed below have successfully secured grant funding from the MiFamily Engagement Centers Region 2. Stay informed about future grant opportunities! Click the button above to sign up for Region 2 news and updates.
The Petoskey District Library has been awarded a $1,776 grant to fund its proposal, “Petoskey District Library Evening Playgroup.” This program’s goal is to provide family programming outside of traditional work hours, a strategy directly informed by family input. The Library maintains a strong commitment to continuing and expanding these playgroups. For more information about this project, contact Megan Goedge at mgoedge@petoskeylibrary.org.
The Boyne District Library has been awarded a $1,783 grant to fund its proposal, “Playgroup Lunch and Learn.” This program offers a dedicated, monthly space for parents and caregivers to connect and share. Participants will enjoy lunch together while engaging in open, guided discussions on early childhood development and learning topics selected by the parents themselves. The program’s ultimate goal is to make valuable resources and knowledge accessible and engaging. For more information about this project, contact Mary Grayson at graysonm@boynelibrary.org.
Suttons Bay Elementary has been awarded a $2,000 grant to fund its proposal, “Family Literacy Nights in SB.” This initiative aims to equip parents and caregivers with concrete, high-impact strategies to effectively support reading at home. By modeling shared reading and learning, the program reinforces literacy as a valued and engaging family activity. For more information on this project, contact Libby Wadsworth at wadsworthe@suttonsbayschools.com
Compass After School Program has been awarded a $2,000 grant to fund “Compass Family Engagement Events.” This project will support several family gatherings, providing intentional opportunities for families to connect, celebrate, and build strong bonds. This program is rooted in the belief that raising children is a collective journey best supported by a caring and connected village. Each event will feature shared meals, engaging activities, and joyful moments designed to create lasting memories and meaningful connections. For more information about this project, contact Kelley Halverson at COMPASS@petoskeyumc.org
The Manistee Intermediate School District has been awarded a $2,125 grant to fund its proposal, “Manistee ISD Literacy Outreach.” This funding will support Story Walks, which will be loaned out and set up in community spaces. This initiative encourages literacy and family connection as neighborhood families enjoy reading together. Additionally, the program provides age-appropriate bookmark rack cards featuring valuable tips to support at-home literacy development. For more information about this project, contact Shannon Fuller at sfuller@manistee.org.
East Jordan Public Schools has been awarded a $2,300 grant to fund their proposal “Family Fun! Make it and Take it! Learning about Literacy and Math!”. The program’s goal is to provide fun, collaborative opportunities for families to learn high-impact strategies to support math and literacy development at home. Families will engage in hands-on activities, creating projects they can take home to reinforce learning. For more information about this project, contact Lindsay Rogers at lrogers@ejps.org.
NoMi Forest Explorers has been awarded a $2,400 grant to support, “Growing Forest: A Project for Land, Learning, and Discovery.” This funding supports the program’s strong focus on inclusiveness, outreach to homeschool families, and intergenerational learning. The project aims to create a sustainable, accessible learning environment that will positively influence family learning and serve participants well beyond their time at the forest school. For more information about this project, contact Kelsey Taylor at kelsey@nomiforestexplorers.com.
The Great Lakes Children’s Museum has been awarded a $3,000 grant to fund its program, “Igniting Wonder, Building Futures.” The program’s goal is to use intentional outreach to ensure equitable access to hands-on, play-based learning, making the Museum’s offerings representative of the true demographics of our community. This high-impact strategy is centered on building relationships and providing learning opportunities that allow families to feel more connected. For more information about this project, contact Tracie MacPherson at tracie@glcm.org.
The Interlochen Public Library has been awarded a $5,000 grant to expand the “Learn and Play” program. This program combines early literacy activities with opportunities for unstructured play, supporting both school readiness and family engagement. This expansion builds capacity by involving parents directly in the creation of the space, responding to their requests for more interactive play options, healthy snacks to keep children engaged, and more guest presenters to diversify learning opportunities. For more information about this project, contact Jennifer Thomet at jthomet@tadl.org.
The Cadillac Area YMCA has been awarded a $5,000 grant for their proposal, “Y Teen Family Engagement.” The program’s goal is to foster stronger family connectedness through intentional opportunities to engage in shared activities, including STEAM projects, literacy challenges, and physical fitness. The initiative is strengthened by strong community collaboration, leveraging existing staff and volunteer support. For more information about this project, contact Deb Dyer at debd@cadillacareaymca.org.
The National Writers Series has been awarded an $8,000 grant to support its new initiative, “Ace the Application – Together!” This project will systematically address the need for literacy surrounding college applications and personal statements, while empowering families to better support their students through the process. The project’s strength lies in its robust partnerships and focus on sustainable change through direct skill-building. For more information about this project, contact Audrey Irontree at education@nwstc.org.
Boyne City Public Schools has been awarded an $8,000 grant to fund, “Roots of Resilience Week.” The program’s innovative goal is to create a resiliency-based, family-centered wellness event focused on connection and belonging. This initiative ensures parent voice is central for true co-creation with families. The program’s unique focus on connecting parents to each other is key to building essential, long-lasting support systems. For more information about this project, contact Kendra Miller at kmiller@charemisd.org.
The Grand Traverse Conservation District has been awarded a $10,000 grant for their project, “The Family Path Story Walk.” Their goal is to bridge gaps in both environmental education and literacy outreach by encouraging family bonding and intergenerational learning in a safe, welcoming environment. Their commitment to inviting direct input from families ensures the chosen books will truly resonate with the children and caregivers. For more information about this project, contact Rachel Straughen at rstraughen@gtcd.org.
Kaleva Norman Dickson Elementary has been awarded a $10,700 grant to fund their project, “Book Vending Machine.” Their goal is to seamlessly integrate the book vending machine with existing PBIS initiatives, creating a clear connection between positive school culture, literacy growth, and family engagement. The project also features a strong sustainability plan to invite local businesses and civic organizations to sponsor “book refill months,” along with a focus on sustainable change through skill-building. For more information about this project, contact Cody Jensen at jensenc@kndschools.org.
PoWeR! Book Bags has been awarded a $15,000 grant to support their proposal, “MIHP Family Engagement across 10 Counties.” Their goal is to increase children’s experiences with language, literacy, and human interactions by providing a steady supply of books and literacy materials to families enrolled in the Maternal Infant Health Program (MIHP). The organization’s approach involves partnering with Health Department Professionals to model and coach these families effectively. For more information about this project, contact Kara Gregory at kara@powerbookbags.org.
Northwest Education Services Early Childhood Department has been awarded a $20,000 grant for their project, “Just Books: Literacy, Story & Song for Belonging.” This project demonstrates a high level of impact with its focus on systems building for early childhood. By supporting learning, health, and family well-being, it will effectively deepen relationships, celebrate diversity, and strengthen early literacy. The planned partnerships with trusted artists and local leaders, designed to build relational trust and community capacity well beyond the grant period, are highly notable. For more information about this project, contact Robin Hornkohl at rhornkohl@northwested.org.
Child & Family Services of Northwestern MI has been awarded a $22,000 grant for their proposal, “Creating Connections.” The program’s goal is to systematically build strong family-school partnerships for children in foster care. This is achieved through relationship building, mentoring, and resourcing families with the confidence and skills needed to support their children’s education. “Creating Connections” will support both foster families and natural parents who are actively working toward reunification. By helping all involved families build essential school connections, the project ensures greater educational stability and success. For more information about this project, contact Tara Ward at TWard@cfs3l.org.
Cadillac Area Public Schools has been awarded a $22,000 grant for their project, “Family Bridge.” Their goal is to strengthen school-family-community relationships by combining wrap-around services and family engagement initiatives with direct academic support. With this approach, families receive both the academic and relational support needed for long-term success. Engagement opportunities are specifically designed with family voice at the center, and partnerships with local cultural and community organizations ensure relevance. For more information about this project, contact Jaime Heuker at jaime.heuker@cadillacschools.org.
The Great Lakes Center for the Arts has been awarded a $30,950 grant to support their project, “Cultivating Community Connections and De-Stigmatizing Differences.” Their core goal is systems change, addressing inclusion in Northern Michigan through dedicated service to students and young adults with special needs, their families, and the community at large. The project is designed to provide valuable social engagement opportunities, enabling families to interact with new families while observing their loved ones connect. This outstanding commitment to high-impact family engagement is demonstrated through several intentionally designed elements, including intergenerational programming, follow-up discussion guides to encourage connection at home, and the strategic leveraging of collaboration with community partners. For more information about this project, contact Rachel Sytsma-Reed at rachel@greatlakescfa.org.
Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan has been awarded a $32,000 grant to fund their proposal “Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan and Mancelona Early Childhood Family Engagement.” This significant funding will enable the program to equip parents, guardians, and caretakers with the necessary information to make informed decisions that support their child’s learning and academic success. The initiative emphasizes high-impact family engagement strategies, including relationship building, two-way communication, and Parent Cafés. For more information about this project, contact Amy Burk at aburk@cisnwmi.org.
Past Grant Recipients
2024-25 Grant Recipients: Click here to read the media release regarding 2025 Grant Recipients
Watch a video about MiFamily Engagement Centers
Systems Scan Report
Our recent Systems Scan Report highlights a crucial finding: Relationships are truly foundational to effective family engagement. The report emphasizes that strong partnerships between schools, families, and communities are key to fostering learner success and achieving positive child/student outcomes. We encourage you to delve deeper into the full report to explore these insights further.
Resources
MiFamily: Michigan’s Family Engagement Framework
