The Great Start to Quality Northwest Region Resource Center is a program of Networks Northwest. 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. Child care business owners and early childhood educators can receive local technical assistance, training, and program quality improvement support from people they know and trust.
Resource Center Services Include:
- Individualized on-site coaching for programs and educators
- 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)
- Professional Learning Communities for those who serve infants and toddlers
- Professional networking opportunities
- Connections to the Regional Child Care Coalition and Family Child Care Networks
Northwest Region Resource Center Staff
| Heather Bardenhagen, QI Coach (Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse counties); Infant/Toddler Specialist Email: heather.bardenhagen@networksnorthwest.org Phone: 231-709-1611 |
| Susan Chowen, QI Coach (Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Kalkaska counties); Infant/Toddler Specialist Email: susan.chowen@networksnorthwest.org Phone: 231-709-1675 |
| Rebecca Herbst, QI Coach (Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties); Infant/Toddler Specialist Email: rebecca.herbst@networksnorthwest.org Phone: 231-709-1681 |
| Angie McFadden, QI Specialist (Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Wexford counties) Email: angie.mcfadden@networksnorthwest.org Phone: 231-709-1660 |
| Sara O’Hara, QI Coach (Grand Traverse, Kalkaska counties) Email: sara.ohara@networksnorthwest.org Phone: 231-709-1660 |
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!