Features

Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit

PreK For All Roadmap takes a holistic approach to rolling out PreK For All

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has released the PreK for All Roadmap plan with recommendations on how the state can achieve universal pre-K for all 4-year-olds in Michigan.

Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit

La Hoja de Ruta de PreK Para Todos adopta un enfoque holístico para el despliegue de PreK Para Todos

En enero de 2023, la gobernadora Gretchen Whitmer anunció su plan PreK para Todos, que proporcionaría acceso a la educación preescolar gratuita a todos los niños de cuatro años de Michigan para 2027. En febrero de 2024, el Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) publicó el plan de la Hoja de Ruta con recomendaciones

Feature Story Amber Desgranges and Rachel Ruddock of the Michigan Primary Care Association.

New initiative offers Michigan nursing students opportunity to build careers in underserved areas

The Michigan Primary Care Association is collaborating with nine of Michigan’s state universities to provide nursing students with opportunities to train in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics.

Longform Christine Sauvé.

New state law will help ensure health care access for non-English-speaking Michiganders

Michigan's new Statewide Meaningful Language Access Coordination Act will require public services to be more accessible to non-English speakers. 

Development News Great Lakes Loons logo

Loons open season April 5; hope for success in 2024

New lighting, new manager, returning coaches greet Loons fans in 2024

Development News Ariel Rak, Keren (15), Iris Mehler, Hillel (11)

Mom of child with disability helps create Midland area support group for parents and caregivers

One in six children in the United States from the ages three to 17 years old has a disability. A Midland mom co-founded a support group for parents and caretakers of children with disabilities to provide advocacy, education, and connections for families. 

Longform Kelsey Lehman and Autumn Carson

Podcast a "not-so-clinical approach to conversations surrounding all things mental health."

Podcast hosted by three friends covers a range of topics like finding a therapist, tips for loved ones, and misconceptions and stigmas surrounding medications. 

Feature Story Community health worker Lindsay Bechtel

Community health worker on the job at Vantage Plastics

In order to continue their mission of serving the community through sustainability, Standish based materials company Vantage Plastics is now partnering with the Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) to integrate a community health worker (CHW) on site. 

Feature Story Robert Sheehan, executive director of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan

Proposed licensure changes aim to ease Michigan's social worker shortage

Mental health and social work advocates are pushing for legislative change to shift Michigan's social worker licensing process from a test-based approach to a practice-driven alternative that has proven successful in other states.

Development News Butterflies in Bloom typically attracts thousands of visitors to Dow Gardens.

Butterflies in Bloom take flight at Dow Gardens

Dow Gardens is reopening their 1975 Alden B. Dow-designed conservatory after extensive renovation. The feature event there is the Butterflies in Bloom.  

Development News A feature attraction at the Cozy Cats Cafe.

Cozy Cats Cafe opens March 18

A unique new business combining cats and coffee is ready to open in Sanford

Feature Story “It is time for our community to rally behind these vital professionals, to elevate their status and acknowledge the indispensable role they play."

Disability Coalition of Midland County tackles local employment issues

Agencies compete for direct care workers, coalition finds opportunities to employ disabled individuals

Longform Rendering of Sawmill Lofts in Grayling

Recent Michigan housing legislation incentivizes more housing developments

As part of the Make it in Michigan Strategy, the state of Michigan has new finance tools and opportunities to convert vacant land into housing via the Transformational Brownfield Fund and tax increment funding. The State Land Bank Authority and Michigan Community Capital are working with state, local, and federal organizations to develop attainable workforce housing in their communities.   

Development News St. Patrick's Day Sip and Strut takes place in downtown Midland, Friday evening, March 15.

Downtown Midland presents a progressive workout event with Shamrock Sip & Strut

To kick off St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans, Downtown Midland is hosting the second annual Shamrock Sip & Strut event on Friday, March 15. The progressive workout  invites participants to enjoy a unique workout bar crawl, with exercise, snacks and drinks.

Development News Zonta Club of Midland president Lindsey McMacken with husband, Gavin, and son, Gideon.

Profile Q & A focuses on Zonta Club of Midland

In our series about local service organizations and their impact on our community, Catalyst interviews the president of the Zonta Club of Midland.

Feature Story Coleman firefighters in training

Volunteer Firefighters Seek To Grow Their Family

Local township fire departments facing a challenge recruiting volunteer firefighters.

Longform Melvin Henley

Growing Michigan Together Council addresses housing and other concerns across the state

Established by Governor Whitmer, the Growing Michigan Together Council works to develop a long-term plan of action to address many issues of concern across the state. Different goals include jobs, talent, and people; infrastructure and places; PreK-12 and higher education, and revenue. Block by Block spoke with the Executive Director of the Growing Michigan Together Council and Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and Melvin Henley at Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to hear about the council’s report.   

Partner Content The conference will include four break-out sessions offering a choice among 15 different topics.
Longform Dr. Kelsey Sala-Hamrick is the Michigan Public Health Institute's MI ACE project director.

200-partner collaborative raises awareness about impact of adverse childhood experiences in Michigan

Partners in the Michigan ACE Initiative are working to raise awareness of the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), prevent ACEs, and foster resilience among children who have experienced them. 

Development News Miriam Andrus is the director of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library.

Profile Q&A with library director, Miriam Andrus

Miriam Andrus is the director of the Grace. A. Dow Memorial Library in Midland. In our Profile Q & A, we learn how our library offers a lot more than books.

Community Calendar

NAMI Midland Support Groups

Monday, May 13, 7:00pm
Community Mental Health, 218 Fast Ice Drive, Midland
NAMI Midland monthly support groups meet on the second Monday at 7:00pm at Community Mental Health.  Support groups for family members/caregivers  and persons living with a mental health condition. For more info, call 989-948-3273 or email: namimidlandmi@gmail.com.
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