The Great Start to Quality Northwest Resource Center is a program of Child Care Network. We serve ten counties in northwest lower Michigan: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford.
Our team of experienced coaches and support personnel live in and know the communities they support. Caregiver/early educators can receive local technical assistance, training and professional development, and program quality improvement support from people they know and trust.
Resource Center Services Include:
- Professional development training, workshops and conferences on a variety of relevant topics open to all early care and learning professionals; most trainings are open to parents, too
- Individualized on-site coaching for programs participating in Great Start to Quality
- Helping families find the child care and preschool settings that meet their needs
- Advising businesses on ways to support their employees’ access to child care
- License Exempt Provider Preservice Training and support for LEP Level 2
- American Red Cross CPR/FA training and certification by certified trainers (available for members of the early childhood professional community)
- A Lending Library featuring hundreds of items that support children’s learning and social/emotional development through play, curriculum and technical assistance supports
- Professional Learning Communities for those who serve infants and toddlers
- Professional networking opportunities
- Training in the Essentials of Early Literacy; contact us to arrange Essentials trainings for your program or group
- Connections to the Regional Child Care Coalition, Great Start Collaboratives and Family Coalitions
- Technical assistance for providers seeking grants and assistance from the State of Michigan
Northwest Resource Center Staff
| Mary Manner, Director Email: mary@childcarenetwork.org Phone: 213-632-5510 |
| Heather Bardenhagen, QI Coach (Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse counties); Infant/Toddler Specialist Email: heather@childcarenetwork.org Phone: 231-655-5017 |
| Susan Chowen, QI Coach (Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska counties); Infant/Toddler Specialist Email: susan@childcarenetwork.org Phone: 231-492-0996 |
| Rebecca Herbst, QI Coach (Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties); Infant/Toddler Specialist Email: rebecca@childcarenetwork.org Phone: 906-450-3670 |
| Kris Weger, QI Specialist (Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties) Email: kris@childcarenetwork.org Phone: 213-492-0859 |
Community Partners & Resources
We work with many people and organizations in the community to provide you, your family and your program with the resources you need to help your family and children succeed.
Professional Development
There are professional development trainings available throughout the state. You can search for a training near you or about a specific subject through MiRegistry.
Effective February 25, 2024, Michigan has removed the requirement to work with the Office of Child Support to receive help paying for child care. Check to see if you are now eligible!