Did You Know?

Social-Emotional Health is Important for the Total Wellbeing of Children

Social-emotional wellness is key to the development of young children. Infants and toddlers develop their social-emotional wellbeing gradually through their interactions with family, caregivers, and others. Social and Emotional behaviors and attitudes learned in the early years have an impact throughout the entire life cycle. For tips on how to support the social and emotional development of infants and toddlers in your care, see Zero To Three's lists of strategies on their Developing Social-Emotional Skills page.

Michigan Strengthens Early Childhood Social-Emotional Health Efforts

New Social-Emotional Health Coordinator Hired

One of Michigan's Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge goals is to support an early learning and development system that meets the physical and social-emotional health needs of young children while increasing access to high quality early learning and development programs. Michigan recently made a move to forward that goal by hiring a new Social-Emotional Health Coordinator.

The Office of Great Start and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are pleased to welcome Meghan Schmelzer, LMSW, IMH-E (III) as Early Childhood Social and Emotional Coordinator. Meghan's experience is grounded in the principles of Infant Mental Health and the impact of trauma on development. She brings a passion for creating an environment where children and their families can foster resilience and thrive.

Meghan will serve within the MDHHS Division of Mental Health Services to Children and Families. In the new position, Meghan, together with systems partners, will coordinate the development and implementation of specialized social-emotional consultation on behalf of the Office of Great Start. This new addition will help focus Michigan's efforts on whole child wellness in early education, especially for populations with highest need.

Home Visitation Services to Reach More Families in Michigan

32p(4) Grant Provides Funds for Home Visitation Expansion

Home visitation programs provide an essential resource to at-risk and high need families in Michigan communities by ensuring that more children grow and develop in safe and nurturing environments. That is why the Office of Great Start is pleased to announce that fifteen of Michigan's Great Start Collaboratives (GSCs), through their Intermediate School Districts as the fiscal agent, have been awarded Section 32p(4) Home Visitation grants to improve or expand home visitation programs in their communities.

These grant awards are expected to impact 600 Michigan families by promoting the engagement of families in their children's education and development, including their social-emotional development.  

For more information about 32p(4) Home Visitation grants visit Michigan's 32p webpage.