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Supporting Families with Young Children in Oakland County

Connecting you to resources, programs, and support for your child's early development.

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PreK for All

Use this link to start your application.

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At Great Start Oakland, we are committed to ensuring every child in Oakland has a strong start. We work with families, educators, and community partners to provide access to high-quality early childhood education, support families, and advocate for policies that create opportunities for all children to thrive.

Family Support: Providing resources to help parents navigate early childhood challenges.

Early Education: Supporting programs that offer safe, nurturing, and engaging learning experiences.

Community Strengthening: Building partnerships that improve access to essential services.

Capacity Building: Equipping professionals and communities with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to promote positive childhood experiences and strengthen protective factors for families.

Featured Family Programs

We offer a range of services designed to support families and young children, including:

Early Childhood
Development

A network of parents and caregivers working together to strengthen families through resources, workshops, and shared experiences.

Childhood Development ➔

Family
Coalition

Connecting families to essential resources and early childhood services to ensure children’s optimal growth and development.

Family Coalition ➔

Home
Visitation

Personalized support and guidance from early childhood professionals delivered in the comfort of your home.

Home Visitation ➔
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Free Preschool Opportunities for Oakland County Families

Great Start Collaborative Oakland partners with local schools and organisations to provide free preschool programs that prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond. Our programs focus on early learning, social development, and fostering a love of education in a nurturing environment.

Explore Free Preschool ➔

Upcoming Events: Learn and Grow

Join us for family-friendly events, workshops, and community connections—something for everyone!

Inspiring Stories, Real Impact

“The resources and guidance we received have been life-changing. Great Start helped my family find stability and success!”
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“The resources and guidance we received have been life-changing. Great Start helped my family find stability and success!”

Sam Z

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“The resources and guidance we received have been life-changing. Great Start helped my family find stability and success!”

Sam Z

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find tools, guides, and support to help you navigate your child's early years.

I have to take parenting classes for the court or CPS. Do yours work?

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Contact your caseworker to see if a specific class meets requirements. Often, classes need to be in person to satisfy that. In Oakland County, there are two classes from the Friends of the Court.
https://www.oakgov.com/government/courts/friend-of-the-court/programs-services. Otherwise, classes from CARE https://www.careofsem.com/parenting-services/classes/ can be a great fit.

How much do home visits cost?

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Home visits are free.

How often do home visits happen?

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Depending on your needs and the home visiting program you're enrolled in, home visits can happen as often as every week or twice a month. Home visits usually last between 30 minutes to 1 hour, but may change depending on your needs. Your home visitor will work closely with you to schedule a home visit for a day and time that works well for you.

Who provides home visits?

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Home visitors have extensive training in helping families. Some may be nurses, some may be social workers, and some may be early childhood educators. Home visitors usually know a lot about the community and are aware of other services that may benefit your family.

Who can enroll in Home Visiting?

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Eligibility for home visiting depends on the program. Some programs begin as early as pregnancy, while others serve only first-time parents or families with infants under one year. Certain programs continue until your child is five years old. To find a program that fits your needs, contact us at 844-456-5437.

What is Home Visiting?

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A home visit is a planned meeting with a trained and supportive home visitor. A home visitor usually comes to your home but can meet you someplace that works for you. During a home visit, you can talk with your visitor about things that are going well and things you may be concerned about. Your home visitor will be helpful and supportive, provide information, and connect you to community resources.

What is the process for enrollment?

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Phase 1: Complete the online application in MiECC and upload the required documents (proof of income, address, and a copy of the child's birth certificate). Once a care coordinator verifies documents, they will send a referral to your preferred program.

Phase 2: The program will contact you with the next steps for enrollment and provide you with a start date.

What are the program requirements for becoming a GSRP program? Is it just a daycare?

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Each Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) picks a curriculum from the approved list... No matter which curriculum is chosen, teaching teams create fair and meaningful learning experiences using a child-centered, hands-on curriculum model. This approach is recommended for PreK and supported by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Is there a cost associated with GSRP? Do I make too much money? Why do you need to collect income documentation?

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There are no current income guidelines for GSRP. Income is used to determine when your child can enroll in a program. All age-eligible children can qualify for GSRP.

How do I know if my child is eligible for the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)?

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Children must turn four years old on or before September 1. However, a provision exists for families requesting early enrollment for children who will turn 4 after September 1, but on or before December 1.

What are your parenting classes?

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We host some parent workshops, and we would love to connect you with others in the community based on what would fit you. See our calendar or contact a care coordinator.

What is the Family Coalition? Can I join?

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The Family Coalition is a group of parents and caregivers working together to support early childhood programs and resources in the community. Yes! Any parent or caregiver with a child under 12 can join.

Still have questions?

Find tools, guides, and support to help you navigate your child's early years.

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Essential Resources for Families

How and Why to Read Wordless Picture Books

Reading wordless picture books with children supports early literacy by encouraging creativity...

Read more ➔

Finding the Balance: Managing
Screen Time for Young Children

While screen time is an unavoidable part of modern life, it's important to be intentional about how much...

Read more ➔

Toilet Training Tips

Toilet training can be challenging, but with consistency, patience, and child-friendly strategies like...

Read more ➔

How to Talk with Your Young Child about Scary or Sad News

When children are exposed to upsetting news, they often look to adults for emotional cues and safety...

Read more ➔

Play:
Thinking Outside of the Box

Sometimes, the simplest toys, like a cardboard box, offer the biggest opportunities for creativity...

Read more ➔

Find tools, guides, and support to help you navigate your child's early years.

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