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Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) is now enrolling for Preschool. Preschool provides structured play time, activities, and learning opportunities for children from 3 through 5 and support for their families in Clare and Gladwin Counties.

Preschool gives children a head start by supporting healthy physical, academic, and social-emotional development so they transition to kindergarten ready and eager to learn. Virtual and in-person class options are available. Technology is provided as needed.

“We continue to provide Preschool services including basic need support, education, and community resources to support our children and families through the unprecedented challenges of this pandemic. Staff receive emergency preparedness and infectious disease management training to ensure the safety of the children as well as themselves. The health and well-being of the children, families and staff is always our highest priority. Now more than ever we can provide a warm blanket of support for our children and their families,” said Sue Harvey, Early Childhood Director at Mid Michigan CAA.

Mid Michigan CAA’s Preschool is enrolling now for the 2021-2022 school year. Children who will be 3 or 4 on September 1st, 2021 are eligible. To complete an application, call 989-386-8075 or apply online.

Learn more about all Mid Michigan CAA’s early childhood programs. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn at for news and updates.
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Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

About: On December 29, 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Public Act 257 of 2020, providing $2.5 million to GSRP, Head Start, special education for individuals aged 18-26 and adult education teachers who teach in a school district or nonprofit nonpublic school.

This program provides grants to eligible GSRP, head start, adult education, young adult special education classroom teachers in a district or nonprofit nonpublic school spent outside of normal working hours and additional costs classroom teachers have incurred or experienced to provide a continuity of learning during the period of school closure in 2019-2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A max of $500 may be received under this program.

Eligibility:

• Head Start:  Lead teachers & Associate Teachers
• Great Start Readiness Program:  Lead teachers & Associate Teachers
• Substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff, administrators, HS/EHS Directors, fiscal staff, management staff, child & family service staff, child development specialists, home-based visitors, home-based visitor supervisors, coaches and teacher consultants ARE NOT ELIGIBLE under this grant program.
• Prior to April 2, 2020 at least 75% of workload must have been performed onsite.
• After April 2, 2020, the teacher developed tools and methods to deliver remote learning.
• Teacher must have worked additional time spent outside of normal working hours, experienced hazardous conditions, or incurred additional costs related to ensuring students could effectively participate in their school's continuity of learning plan.

​What's Next:

• If identified as eligible you will receive a notification as well as the Michigan Department of Treasury Teacher Certification Form.
• You must return the completed form to [email protected] no later than April 9th to be included in the grant submission process.  Mid Michigan CAA will submit to the Department of Treasury.
• DO NOT submit your form direct to the State of Michigan.
• Checks are anticipated being disbursed by the state on or about June 4, 2021.
• If you feel you qualify but did not receive the certification form, please contact Sue Harvey ([email protected]).

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) has received $386,675 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for our Early Childhood Services. These funds will support Head Start services for children from 3 through 5 in Clare and Gladwin Counties and Early Head Start services for those who are pregnant and children from birth through 3 in Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, and Osceola Counties.

Mid Michigan CAA’s Head Start and Early Head start programs plan to use the CARES Act funding to provide critical support to enrolled children and families. “During this pandemic we have continued to provide services including basic need support, education, and community resources to support health and mental health well-being. Staff receive emergency preparedness and infectious disease management training to ensure the safety of the children as well as themselves.  The health and well-being of the children, families and staff is our highest priority,” said Sue Harvey, Early Childhood Director at Mid Michigan CAA. The program continues to add virtual learning opportunities to engage with children and families.

Nationally, $750 million has been designated for Head Start and Early Head Start programs to support preventative, preparedness, and response activities related to the coronavirus through the CARES Act. "This $750 million for Head Start will help ensure that children and families who rely on the program continue receiving services like meals, health screenings, and pre-K education where possible,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. “As we move toward safely reopening, it only grows more important that we support vulnerable families and children whose lives have been disrupted by the virus and its economic effects."

"We know that investing in programs that use a whole family approach to learning and development can be pivotal to the success of children and families," said Lynn Johnson, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families. "During this pandemic, it is important to support programs that enrich and enlighten children, families, and communities as they work towards their goals and make concentrated efforts to improve their future post the pandemic."

Mid Michigan CAA’s Head Start is currently recruiting 3 and 4-year-olds for fall enrollment. Contact us at 989-386-8075 to complete an application or apply online.

Mid Michigan CAA’s Early Head Start is enrolling now for those who are pregnant or have a child from birth through 3. Contact us at 1-877-386-4406 to complete an interest form or complete the form online.

Find additional information about Head Start programming specific to this public health crisis on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center website.

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