Contact

Events

Concrete Support

Knowledge

Parental Resilience

Social & Emotional Competence

Social Connections

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

Accurate information about child development and appropriate expectations for children’s behavior at every age help parents see their children and youth in a positive light and promote their healthy development. Information can come from many sources, including family members as well as parent education classes and surfing the internet. Studies show information is most effective when it comes at the precise time parents need it to understand their own children. Parents who experienced harsh discipline or other negative childhood experiences may need extra help to change the parenting patterns they learned as children.

Resources

Education

Caro Alternative High School 989-673-6845
Early Childhood Hotline 989-672-6930
Early Head Start 989-672-1785
Early On 989-672-6930
Head Start (Caro & Mayville/GSRP) 800-830-2216
Head Start & GSRP (Kingston & Cass City ) 866-851-1674
Head Start & GSRP (USA) 989-269-6522
Head Start Millington & Vassar GSRP) 866-871-3344
Highland Pines School (Special Education) 989-673-5200
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (Job Prep) 989-673-1303
Child Find 989-672-6930
Tuscola Technology Center (Includes GED) 989-673-5300
Tuscola Intermediate School District 989-673-2144
Tuscola Transition Network 989-672-6952
TISD Homeless Student Education 989-673-2144 ext 30426
Millington Adult Education 989-871-6834
GST Michigan Works! 989-673-8103
Great Start Readiness Program 989-673-2144 ext 30484
Social Emotional Health
Caregiver Tips
Car Safety
Child Care Checklist
Preschool Information
Ready to Read Michigan
Meal Ideas
Baby Smart Quiz
Your Child at Birth
Your Child at 2 Months
Your Child 4 to 6 Months
Your Child 6 to 12 Months
Your Child at 12 to 18 Months
Your Child at 18 to 24 Months
Your Child at 24 to 36 Months
Your Child at Age 3
Your Child at Age 4
Your Child at Age 5
Preschool Readiness Resources
Preschool Readiness Toolkit
Kindergarten Readiness Reading
Kindergarten Readiness Games
Kindergarten Readiness Reading Skills
Kindergarten Readiness Academics
Kindergarten Readiness Outdoor Games
Kindergarten Readiness Lingo
Kindergarten Readiness Transitioning

Health Services

Department of Health & Human Services 989-673-9100
MiBridges 1-888-367-6557
Tuscola County Health Department 989-673-8114
Medicaid Help Line-MI ENROLLS 800-642-3195
Prescription Discount Card 877-321-2652
Caro Community Hospital 989-673-3141
Caro Quick Care 989-672-5151
Hills & Dales Hospital 989-872-2121
Positive Alternatives (Self-administered pregnancy tests) 989-672-4673
Tuscola County Health Department 989-673-8114
Healthy Eating Best Practices
Healthy Physical Activity
Eat Healthy Be Active
Cooking Matters

Parenting Classes/Support

Baby Pantry 989-670-4915
Early Head Start 989-672-1785
Family Planning Clinic 989-673-8118
Co-Parenting – List Psychological 989-673-5700
Michigan State University Extension (MSU E) 989-672-3870
Parent to Parent (TCHD) 989-673-1740
Parent Helpline 800-942-4357
Positive Alternatives 989-672-4673
Tuscola County Health Department Maternal Infant Health Services (MIHP) 989-673-1740
Great Start Tuscola-Love & Logic 989-673-2144 ext 30302
New Light Consultants 989-672-0784
MOPS Groups Search
MOPS Group Tuscola

Here's what the community is saying

“I am overwhelmed by the impact I'm already seeing in my children’s lives…If you ever need an advocate for the Conscious Discipline Classes, please let me know and I would be happy to be there to help spread this word.”

“I have learned so many tools I am going to utilize to help my children and my family. Thank you so much!”

“I just love everything Great Start has to offer and i know I can contact you if I need help or info on anything.”

“My girls always love the At Home Learning Kits and the projects that they get to do together. And it’s nice because they are educational!”

“My daughter loves these kits. It makes her feel special, and she loves being able to share them with her brothers and mommy. The boys think the activities are fun, too, even though they are My daughter loved the kit this month! We spend a couple hours building houses, bridges ect., and she loved it! All the kits we have gotten keep her attention longer then activities we have tried at home so we love them!”

“My daughter loves these educational kits. It makes her feel special and she loves being able to share them with her brothers and mommy. The boys think the activities are fun too even though they are 12 and 9 they still enjoy doing them and try to help their sister out.”

“My girls always love the kits and the projects that they get to do together. And its nice because they are educational.”

“These kits are amazing. These guys do a great job putting these together. Thank you so much.”

“Great start collaboration play dates and activities have been a God send for my daughter and I. Great start collaborative Staff are knowledgeable, professional, approachable and friendly. I highly recommend that people with children come and check out an event at Great start collaborative.”

- Shannon(Parent)

“I was given new opportunities with Great Start and it has been a positive impact in our lives.”

- Sarah(Parent)

“ Thank you for getting a grant that allowed our kids to take home free math kits! The math kits are of superior quality and the kids love them! We have really enjoyed using them. The note from our Sheriff built a connection to our community and real live math!”

- Caring Parent

" Thanks to a connection made through Great Start, Senator Green was able to help a parent get needed education in their local school district for a young child.” ”

- Representative for Senator Green

“Since joining Great Start, I feel my voice has only become stronger in advocating for my child! You have led me to many resources and great opportunities to share with my child!"

- Katrina(parent member)

"Loved the note from Sheriff Skrent - connection to our community and real life math!"

“Very informational regarding transportation to mental health services – my families are unaware of this service!"

- Amber(health provider)

“ I am a new mom that was gifted a wonderful baby bag full of very useful items, and I am very grateful and my heart is so full. Thank you so much. Every penny counts in our family-so the gift was very meaningful to us! God Bless"

-Sharon(parent)

“The training exceeded my expectations. There was so much I didn’t know!"

“Very informative and mind-blowing training! Thank you!"

“My child loves all of the activities and it is always a wonderful time when not on the tablet!"

“The math kit is amazing. Thank you so much. She absolutely loves it."

“We loved the math kit and explored with it as soon as we opened it. Thank you!"

“Thank you for the math kit! Both my kids love it!"

Here's what the community is saying

“Knowing and learning the developmental stages of each age with the resources and guides provided for the adults has helped me understand play and my child’s milestones.”

“I have learned so many tools I am going to utilize to help my children and my family. Thank you so much!”

“The Conscious Discipline Parenting Class has given me specific ideas in categories to allow me to hit on each area of play and development to best assist my children in gaining skills and learning about the world around them.”

“My girls always love the At Home Learning Kits and the projects that they get to do together. And it’s nice because they are educational!”

“My child loves all of the activities and it is always a wonderful time when not on the tablet!"

“I think the biggest thing I’m going to take away from this knowledge is to get myself to that executive state before addressing whatever issue was going on with my child, so that I can handle it with a calm, clear mind.”

“Thank you for the math kit! Both my kids love it!"

“I hope to use this knowledge every day! When the class first started I realized that we were already using some of these skills but learned more in depth about them and how to put them to work even more.”

“My girls always love the kits and the projects that they get to do together. And its nice because they are educational.”

“These kits are amazing. These guys do a great job putting these together. Thank you so much.”

“The math kit is amazing. Thank you so much. She absolutely loves it."

“Great start collaboration play dates and activities have been a God send for my daughter and I. Great start collaborative Staff are knowledgeable, professional, approachable and friendly. I highly recommend that people with children come and check out an event at Great start collaborative.”

- Shannon(Parent)

“Very informative and mind-blowing training! Thank you!"

“I was given new opportunities with Great Start and it has been a positive impact in our lives.”

- Sarah(Parent)

“ I am a new mom that was gifted a wonderful baby bag full of very useful items, and I am very grateful and my heart is so full. Thank you so much. Every penny counts in our family-so the gift was very meaningful to us! God Bless"

-Sharon(parent)

“Very informational regarding transportation to mental health services – my families are unaware of this service!"

- Amber(health provider)

“The training exceeded my expectations. There was so much I didn’t know!"

Great Start Tuscola

About us

Tuscola Great Start works to ensure every child in Tuscola County is safe, healthy, eager and ready to succeed in school and become contributing, productive members of an economically stable Tuscola County.

Quick links

Ages and Stages
Resource Guide
Milestones App
Kids Count
Family Coalition
MDHHS

Imagination Library
Michigan’s Children
ACES Survey
Tuscola County Preschool
United Way Airs 211
Contact

These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education

Contact

Great Start Tuscola

1401 Cleaver Rd
Caro, MI 48723

(989) 673-2144 ext 30325

greatstarttuscola@gmail.com