The Early Childhood Partnership Initiative
"Head Start and Community-Based Child Care"

Wayne County Head Start and its local delegate agency partner, The Guidance Center, as well as the Child Care Coordinating Council (4C) and the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA) came together to design and implement the partnerships with funding from The Skillman Foundation, a private philanthropy committed to helping children in metropolitan Detroit by improving their homes, schools and neighborhoods.

The initiative offers the comprehensive services that Head Start is known for – quality preschool program, services for special needs children, family activities, health screenings, and opportunities for parent involvement. All these things are now partnered with additional services and longer hours of local child care centers.

Who is eligible?

Children who will be three or four by December 1, 2007 and who meet one of the following:

• Meet family income requirements
• Family is currently receiving or eligible to receive child care subsidy or other cash assistance from the Michigan Department of Human Services (formerly FIA)
• Currently have a documented special need (may qualify if over-income)
• Is a foster child.

If you are eligible for this program, you or your child will receive:

• Your center registration fee paid
• Full day care for your child
• Fees for field trips for your child paid by Head Start
• A developmental screening to help the teacher know where your child is in his development and skills and how to best plan for his learning
• Health, and nutrition screenings
• Dental screening and follow-up when necessary
• Two parent conferences per year with reports to you on your child’s growing readiness for school
• Inclusion with other three, four and five-year-olds.
• Referrals and support for other services that may be of use to your family
• Family nights, special events and parent workshops
• A $20 Meijer Gift Card when paperwork required for enrollment is complete.

Where do I sign up?

Partnership Centers:

• Good Beginnings
  15500 Reeck Rd.
  Southgate, MI 48195
  734-281-1111
  Contact: Anne Kostecki, Director
               Sharron Brady, Asst. Director

• Teddy Bear Day Care
  5043 Allen Rd.
  Allen Park, MI 48101
  Contact: Gwynne Nutter, Co-Owner
               Maria Martinez, Co-Owner

• St. Alfred Parish Child Care Center
  9500 Banner
  Taylor, MI 48180
  313-291-0092
  Contact: Mary Jo Stachulski, Director

For more information on The Early Childhood Partnership Initiative contact:

• Andrea Gamber-Smith, Child Care Partnership Mentor
  734-785-7702

:: back to top ::