Michigan Head Start Association

10/16/2026

🚗 Michigan Head Start on the Road!
Our September travels wrapped up with a trip to Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, where we had the opportunity to spend two days with the incredible team at CLM CAA!

📍 Stop #15 – Chippewa Luce Mackinac Community Action Agency (CLM CAA)
Our final visit in September took us all the way to Sault Ste. Marie for a wonderful two-day experience with the incredible team at CLM CAA!

Serving families across three counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, including a classroom on Drummond Island, CLM CAA is a great example of how Head Start programs adapt to meet the unique needs of their communities. Their classrooms are located in a variety of settings, including near senior centers and housing developments, with one even operating out of a duplex!

We couldn't have timed our visit much better, as the fall colors were just beginning to transform the beautiful UP landscape.

CLM CAA offers Head Start, Early Head Start, GSRP, and Michigan's new state-funded Strong Beginnings program, with both center-based and Early Head Start home-based options. Their variety of programming and locations reflects a commitment to reaching families wherever they are.

One of the highlights of our visit was getting to know the amazing people behind the work, including their CEO, who attended Head Start as a child and started his career with the agency in a cleaning position! What an example of the lasting impact of Head Start and the opportunities it creates.

It was clear throughout our visit that CLM CAA has deep roots in the communities it serves. Thank you to the entire team for the warm welcome, great conversations, and the opportunity to see your work firsthand!

🌐 Learn more: https://cms.clmcaa.org/

Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency

10/15/2026

🚗 Michigan Head Start on the Road
We're catching up on some wonderful visits from September, and this is one we are excited to share!

📍 Stop #14 – CDS Lakeshore Head Start
In September, we had a great visit to CDS Lakeshore Head Start! This beautiful program, serving families in Ottawa County, is a wonderful example of the creativity and innovation happening in Head Start programs across Michigan.

CDS Lakeshore Head Start offers a variety of early childhood education options to meet the diverse needs of families in its community, including Head Start, GSRP, and tuition-based programming with a sliding fee scale. With full-year options serving infants through preschoolers, they are finding ways to make high-quality early childhood education accessible to more families.

We also had the opportunity to tour one of their newest sites, which will officially cut the ribbon and welcome families on October 16!

One particularly unique part of their programming is a classroom that regularly attends Farm School, where children connect with nature, explore farm life, and develop important life skills through hands-on experiences.

Thank you to the CDS Lakeshore Head Start team for welcoming us and sharing the incredible work you're doing for children and families!

🌐 Learn more: https://www.cdsoc.org/

Child Development Services - Lakeshore Head Start

10/09/2026

What a wonderful, inspiring time in Traverse City this week! Though our 2026 Fall Assembly has ended, we have so many connections and a-ha moments to take with us into the days, weeks and months ahead!

10/08/2026

That's a wrap on day one of the 2026 Fall Assembly! We have so many thoughts and takeaways to share; stay tuned for more moments from this year's event.

10/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit comments on the NPRM. Your words and testimony help ensure that strong standards remain in place to protect the health, safety, and well-being of children and families. Advocacy matters, and we are grateful for everyone who provided comments on behalf of Head Start programs and the families and communities they serve.

You can review MHSA’s comment along with all of the NPRM comment resources on Padlet.

https://padlet.com/Michheadstart/nprm-resources-4aa5ixgv8q2ah4nn?fbclid=IwY2xjawUyE-xleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMVpaZUZsVFVGaVgzWmZYY05zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEehl9req9iUhsINtOBG40Zx0mSyplPBbIE1ZaqdGcaKlBQSbGkbqVJHU6r014_aem_HilZiiERRuU1ox-hDGcUSQ

Made with Padlet

10/06/2026

🕥 There is still time to submit your comment! Check out the MHSA Padlet for resources to support you in drafting and submitting:

https://padlet.com/Michheadstart/nprm-resources-4aa5ixgv8q2ah4nn.

📣 Comments can be submitted by 11:59 PM tonight, October 6th:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16134/reducing-federal-burden-for-head-start-programs

10/02/2026

We appreciate Rep. Bill Huizenga's continued support of Head Start! We were grateful for the opportunity this week to discuss the current concerns and challenges facing Michigan families. The support his office has provided to programs over the years has been invaluable.

10/01/2026

Thank you to Rep. Tom Barrett's (Michigan’s 7th Congressional District) office for meeting with MHSA to discuss the important role Head Start plays in supporting children and families across Michigan! We appreciated the opportunity to share what families are experiencing and to discuss ways to strengthen services and outcomes for our communities.

10/01/2026

We were grateful for the opportunity to thank Senator Gary Peters for his constant support of Head Start and the families we serve throughout Michigan! His commitment has made a meaningful difference, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on his next chapter outside of congress!