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As cooler weather approaches, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is encouraging residents to check whether they qualify for the Michigan Home Heating Credit before the September 30 deadline.

The Home Heating Credit helps qualifying households with the cost of heating their homes. While many people claim the credit when they file their taxes, others may miss it or may not think they can file their taxes at all. If you're unsure whether you claimed the credit or whether you qualify, Mid Michigan CAA's IRS-trained and certified volunteers can review your situation and help you understand your options at no cost.

"Many people assume that once they file their taxes, they're done," said Cherri Swanstra, Director of Community Impact at Mid Michigan CAA. "But some households may still be eligible for the Home Heating Credit. Eligible households could receive credit towards their home heating costs during the colder months."

Mid Michigan CAA continues to offer free tax preparation services through September. Volunteers can help residents apply for the Home Heating Credit and assist individuals who have not yet filed their federal and state income tax returns.

The program has a long history of helping local residents access credits and refunds they've earned. This year, Mid Michigan CAA volunteers have prepared over 1,000 returns, helping return more than $1 million in refunds to households across the service area.

"Every credit and refund matters," Swanstra said. "Whether it's helping with heating costs, paying bills, or building savings, these dollars make a difference for families and individuals throughout our communities."

Residents who think they may qualify are encouraged to contact Mid Michigan CAA before September 15th to schedule an appointment.
To schedule an appointment, call or text the office nearest you:

• Big Rapids: 231-660-0271
• Gladwin: 989-426-2801
• Farwell: 989-386-3805
• Reed City: 231-791-7078

More information about tax preparation services is available here.

Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Housing instability does not always look the way people expect, and it can affect Veterans and their families in our own communities.

Some Veterans may be staying with friends, living in motels, or facing eviction without others knowing. These situations are often temporary, but without the right support they can quickly become long-term housing crises.

Through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, Mid Michigan Community Action works alongside EightCAP, Inc. to help Veterans and their families move toward stable housing. SSVF is funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and provides community-based housing support for Veterans and their families.

In fiscal year 2025, our program supported 239 Veterans across the region. Housing support may include case management, help finding housing, and short-term financial assistance designed to help people secure or maintain safe housing.

SSVF is one part of a larger network of support available to Veterans. The VA and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) offer additional resources and connections to services, while local organizations and community partners help Veterans access support close to home.

Behind every number is a Veteran working toward stability for themselves and their families.

Community awareness plays an important role in ensuring Veterans know where to turn for support. Housing challenges can happen in many ways, and they do not always follow one path. Knowing that resources exist and sharing that information with someone who may need it can help Veterans and their families take the next step toward stable housing.

Veterans and their families in our region may be able to connect with housing support by calling or texting 1-877-213-5955 or emailing [email protected].

[Harrison, MI—] Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) and Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District are expanding preschool options for local families with a new Strong Beginnings classroom at Mid Michigan CAA’s Harrison Preschool.

The no-cost classroom will serve eligible 3-year-olds beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. While Mid Michigan CAA already welcomes 3-year-olds through its preschool program, the new classroom will be designed just for children at this important stage of growth.

“Three-year-olds are curious, busy, and ready to explore the world around them,” said Stephanie VanderElzen, Head Start Director at Mid Michigan CAA. “Having a classroom created especially for them gives our teachers more ways to meet children where they are, help them feel comfortable at school, and build skills through play. We are excited to welcome more Harrison families and give children another year to learn, grow, and make friends before kindergarten.”

Strong Beginnings is a state-funded preschool program led by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. It gives eligible 3-year-olds an added year of play-based learning before they move into a preschool classroom for 4-year-olds and later begin kindergarten.

Children will learn through stories, art, music, movement, hands-on projects, and time with classmates. The program helps children practice communication, early reading skills, problem-solving, managing feelings, and taking part in classroom routines.

The new Harrison classroom will offer a full school day four days each week and will have space for 15 children. Strong Beginnings funding will work together with Head Start funding to support the classroom.

Strong Beginnings also supports caregivers. Families can work with staff, take part in their child’s learning, set goals, and connect with other helpful resources in the community.

Across Michigan, Strong Beginnings is growing from 34 classrooms serving 476 children to about 50 classrooms serving 750 children during the 2026–2027 school year. State evaluation results show that 97% of participating families said their child gained new skills through the program, and 96% said their child loves attending.

For families, another year of no-cost preschool can also provide time to work, attend school, complete job training, or focus on other household goals while their child learns in a safe and caring setting.

The Harrison classroom is part of the Clare and Gladwin Counties Quality Preschool Partnership, which brings local preschool programs together to help families find the option that best meets their needs.

Families interested in Strong Beginnings or other no-cost preschool options can apply at www.claregladwinpreschool.org or call 989-386-8075.
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Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Mid Michigan Community Action is asking for feedback from the public on its 2027 Community Action Plan. This plan explains how the agency will use federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to help low-income people across Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, and Osceola Counties. The public comment period is open from August 15 to September 15, 2026.
 
You can read the plan online at www.mmcaa.org, in person at any Community Action Center during business hours, or by emailing [email protected] or texting 989-386-3805 to request a copy.
 
Please mail your written comments by September 15, 2026, to:
Eva Rohlman, Outreach & Opportunities Director
1574 E Washington Rd
PO Box 768
Farwell, MI 48622
 
Or email [email protected].
 
Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education, and community enrichment.