EARLY CHILDhood RESOURCES

Browse the list below to find resources from United Way and our partners, including child care assistance and tips, educational tools and other support for families.

2-1-1

By contacting 2-1-1 you can get access to thousands of resources such as housing and utility assistance, after school programs and tutoring, medical care and senior care assistance. You can also call 2-1-1 to get connected to volunteer opportunities in your area.

CONTACT 2-1-1

After-School and Summer Youth Programs 

Discover Your Spark

United Way invests in Discover Your Spark, an online tool to help parents find summer and after-school programs powered by the Youth Development Resource Center.

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CDC Milestones

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides lists of developmental milestones for children up to five years of age. This can help parents identify any delays their child may have, plus connect them with some free resources.

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Child Care Checklist

The Child Care Aware Checklist gives parents a list of important questions to ask care providers to find one that is right for their family.

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Detroit Child Care Scholarship

Detroit Soars

Funded by The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Detroit SOARS Scholarship program provides financial support for Detroit families with children under age 5 to offset child care tuition.

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Detroit Schools Guide

Find a Detroit school that fits your family’s needs.

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Early On

Early On is Michigan’s system for helping infants and toddlers with developmental delays or who are at risk for delays. It’s designed to help families find the social, health, and educational services that will promote the development of their infants and toddlers with special needs.

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Find Child Care in Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Washtenaw Counties

Connect4Care Kids

Connect4Care Kids is an online tool to help parents and caregivers in Southeastern Michigan access affordable, quality child care.

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Find Child Care through Great Start to Quality

Great Start to Quality Resource Centers

Call 877-614-7328 to connect with a Great Start to Quality Resource Center near you and get help finding child care.

Great Start Collaborative

The Great Start Collaborative provides support and resources to parents and care providers.

Macomb County Oakland County Washtenaw County Wayne County

Kids’ Health Connections in Wayne County

Kids’ Health Connections (formerly the Wayne Children’s Healthcare Access Program (WCHAP)) educates and empowers parents to better manage their child’s health care.

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Little Guide Detroit

Find the best things to do with kids in Metro Detroit and surrounding areas, from parks and playgrounds to museums and events.

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Metro Parent

Metro Parent is a website for families in Metro Detroit, offering guides, events, tips and news on parenting, education, travel and more. Find out what’s happening near you.

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PBS Kids

Find educational games and other resources for children through PBS Kids.

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Summer meals for children

Meet Up and Eat Up

Meet Up and Eat Up summer meal sites serve more than 1 million meals to children every summer.

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Text tips for parents

ParentPowered

ParentPowered is a text messaging service for parents of children ages 13 and younger. The service sends helpful tips around education, health and development based on your child’s age.

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