Great Start Family Coalition

Great Start Shiawassee Family Coalition

Parents play a critical role in the healthy development of young children, ages 0-8.  Great Start Shiawassee recognizes the expertise and value of parents. The Great Start Family Coalition supports efforts to engage, empower and recruit parent leaders.

Family Coalition Meetings 

Join us at our next meeting to enjoy dinner and conversation with other parents. Fun learning activities for parents and children.

Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the Month from 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Dinner is served at 5:30, discussion starts at 6pm. Tot watch is available.  Meeting details are located on the Great Start event calendar. Location: 114 W. North Street, Owosso, Michigan.

RSVP to Family Coalition Meetings 

Contact Us

To find out more information about the Great Start Shiawassee Family Coalition contact our

Great Start Family Liaison
Jennifer Babcock
989-725-2581
babcockj@sresd.org

Family Coalition Activities

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - Children in Shiawassee County (ages 0-4) are eligible to receive an age-appropriate book in the mail each month.  Family Coalition members assist in signing children up for the program. Families can register at https://imaginationlibrary.com

Bus Book Buckets - Bus rides can be long for young children so the Coalition provides buckets of books to various school bus routes. The Coalition provides the books, volunteers stop in regularly to refresh the selection.

Story Walks - Families looking to explore the outdoors with their children will enjoy the Story Walks.  As they walk along the designated path they will find pages from a book, which they can read together. The walk at DeVries Nature Conservancy is a 1/8th of a mile or as far as your imagination can take you. The Story Walk at Camp Shiawassee will be slightly longer but easily managed by young walkers. The stories shared on the Story Walks vary by season.

The Great Start Family Coalition also has mobile Story Walks available for use by non-profits and educational institutions.  Learn more on our resource page.

Touch-A-Truck - Our most popular event! Trucks, emergency vehicles and more turnout for children to explore while our non-profit partners host various fun activities inside.  Coalition members help set-up/take down tables for the event and distribute books.

Date: August 17, 2024 from 10 am - 1 pm

Address: Shiawassee County Fairgrounds, 2900 Hibbard Rd, Corunna, MI 48817

Contact: Great Start Parent Coalition at 989-725-2581 with questions

Great Start Resource Hub 989-725-2581
Car seat replacements made available through a grant from Wal-Mart and the Shiawassee County Health Department

Parenting Classes

The Great Start Family Coalition also offers parenting classes.  The next class will be offered September 26 - October 24, 2024. The program is Make Parenting A Pleasure, dealing with ages 0-8.  Topics will include:

  • Parents identify and discuss “Barriers” they may encounter
  • Parents identify the values and goals they want for their child, as they “pack their child’s suitcase”
  • Parents learn to support their children's emotional development through emotion coaching 
  • Parents learn to strengthen the parent-child relationship with “Positive Attention Through Play”
  • Parents learn about current brain development information and the “Effect of Stress” on child development

Register for Make Parenting A Pleasure

Great Start Shiawassee at Work

GS Family Coalition participants enjoying a talk on the trails of DeVries Nature Center.
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These materials are funded through a grant provided by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.

Little boy with magnifying glass looking for preschool

Join Us! Great Start Shiawassee Event Calendar

  • 25 February
    • Yes Baby! Baby Sign Language - Great Start Shiawassee Family Coalition Meeting
      Date: Tue Feb 25
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Early Childhood Learning Center, 114 W North St, Owosso, MI 48867, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee
      Based on the book Yes, Baby! Baby Signing: 25 Key Words to Sign Together. Families with infants, toddlers, and non-verbal children may benefit the most from this meeting.  Free copy of Yes, Baby! for participants while supplies last.

      Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/3X40vgo or by calling 989-743-3471.

      Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the Month from 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Dinner is served at 5:30, discussion starts at 6pm. Tot watch is available.
  • 26 February
    • Life with Preschoolers - Durand
      Date: Wed Feb 26
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Bertha Neal Elementary School, 930 W Main St, Durand, MI 48429, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee

      A 4-Session Family Discussion Group

      Free for Great Start Readiness Program Preschool Families

      Discussions:

      • Consistent routines
      • Positive discipline
      • Communication skills
      • Connected relationships
      • Handling stress and time challenges
      • ...much more!

      Register by calling 989-725-2581

      or visiting bit.ly/LifeWithPreschoolers

      We are able to offer drop in supervised care for your children ages 2-12 in a classroom close to the class. Meals will also be provided to both children and adults.

  • 5 March
    • Life with Preschoolers - Perry
      Date: Wed Mar 5
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Perry Elementary School, 401 N Watkins St, Perry, MI 48872, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee

      A 4-Session Family Discussion Group

      Free for Great Start Readiness Program Preschool Families

      Discussions:

      • Consistent routines
      • Positive discipline
      • Communication skills
      • Connected relationships
      • Handling stress and time challenges
      • ...much more!

      Register by calling 989-725-2581

      or visiting bit.ly/LifeWithPreschoolers

      We are able to offer drop in supervised care for your children ages 2-12 in a classroom close to the class. Meals will also be provided to both children and adults.

  • 12 March
    • Life with Preschoolers - Perry
      Date: Wed Mar 12
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Perry Elementary School, 401 N Watkins St, Perry, MI 48872, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee

      A 4-Session Family Discussion Group

      Free for Great Start Readiness Program Preschool Families

      Discussions:

      • Consistent routines
      • Positive discipline
      • Communication skills
      • Connected relationships
      • Handling stress and time challenges
      • ...much more!

      Register by calling 989-725-2581

      or visiting bit.ly/LifeWithPreschoolers

      We are able to offer drop in supervised care for your children ages 2-12 in a classroom close to the class. Meals will also be provided to both children and adults.

  • 19 March
    • Life with Preschoolers - Perry
      Date: Wed Mar 19
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Perry Elementary School, 401 N Watkins St, Perry, MI 48872, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee

      A 4-Session Family Discussion Group

      Free for Great Start Readiness Program Preschool Families

      Discussions:

      • Consistent routines
      • Positive discipline
      • Communication skills
      • Connected relationships
      • Handling stress and time challenges
      • ...much more!

      Register by calling 989-725-2581

      or visiting bit.ly/LifeWithPreschoolers

      We are able to offer drop in supervised care for your children ages 2-12 in a classroom close to the class. Meals will also be provided to both children and adults.

  • 25 March
    • Literacy Night - Great Start Family Coalition Meeting
      Date: Tue Mar 25
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
      Location: Early Childhood Learning Center, 114 W North St, Owosso, MI 48867, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee
      Join us at our next meeting to enjoy dinner and conversation with other parents.  Meetings are held on the last Tuesdays of the month with dinner served at 5:30.  Tot watch is provided.

      Please RSVP at https://bit.ly/3X40vgo
  • 26 March
    • Life with Preschoolers - Perry
      Date: Wed Mar 26
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Perry Elementary School, 401 N Watkins St, Perry, MI 48872, USA
      Calendar: Great Start Shiawassee

      A 4-Session Family Discussion Group

      Free for Great Start Readiness Program Preschool Families

      Discussions:

      • Consistent routines
      • Positive discipline
      • Communication skills
      • Connected relationships
      • Handling stress and time challenges
      • ...much more!

      Register by calling 989-725-2581

      or visiting bit.ly/LifeWithPreschoolers

      We are able to offer drop in supervised care for your children ages 2-12 in a classroom close to the class. Meals will also be provided to both children and adults.

 

 

 

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