Letter: Legislature Cuts to Affect Early Child Programming

NC RESA Superintendent appeals to the community for help, support

Dear Newaygo County Families and Community Members,

It is with deep concern that I share important news: the State Legislature has eliminated Section 32p funding, which supports our Great Start Collaborative (GSC). Without this funding, the Collaborative will close on December 31, 2025.

The GSC has served as the backbone of early childhood coordination—bringing together parents, schools, health and social service agencies, libraries, and community organizations to help families access critical supports and ensure young children enter school ready to succeed.

With the GSC Gone, We Will Lose:
• A central hub for coordinating referrals, planning, and collaboration among service providers
• Infrastructure that supports home visiting (Parents as Teachers), early literacy efforts such as Talking is Teaching, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, free book distribution and early literacy training for child care providers and families, and parent engagement initiatives
• The Great Start Family Coalition, which ensures families have voice and influence in early childhood planning
• Community events such as Family Expo, Halloween Walk, Santa’s Storybook, Community Story Walks in collaboration with local partners, Play and Learn Groups for families with children birth – 5, book outreach, and other literacy and awareness campaigns
• Support network for childcare providers coordination training, Lending Library of resources for both in-home and center providers to increase access to high-quality early learning materials free of charge and appreciation events.  

While the Collaborative will close, Newaygo County RESA will maintain two essential programs, thanks to local funding from the Fremont Area Community Foundation:
• FISH (Families Information Service Hub)
• Parents as Teachers (PAT)

These programs will continue to provide direct support and home-based engagement for families.

Why This Matters
Early childhood is a critical period when foundational skills are established. The GSC has not only connected families to resources, but also helped prevent issues before they grow, ensured that support is well-coordinated, and helped avoid duplication of services. Losing it means a more fragmented system and greater burden on families.

How You Can Help
We encourage you to contact your elected representatives and share the impact losing Section 32p funding will have on children and families in our community.

Below is contact information: 
State Representative Joseph Fox (District 101)
• Lansing Office: Anderson House Office Building, S-1385, Lansing, MI 48933
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909
• Phone: (517) 373-0825
• Email: [email protected]

State Senator Rick Outman (District 33)
• Office Address: 201 Townsend St., Suite 4400, Lansing, MI 48933
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909-7536
• Phone: (517) 373-3760
• Toll-Free: (855) 347-8033
• Email: [email protected]

Your voice matters—especially when our youngest children’s future is at stake!
Thank you for standing with us in advocating for Newaygo County’s children and families.

Sincerely,
Dr. Blake J. Prewitt, Ed.D. 
Superintendent