The Family Connection

08/28/2026

Anteayer tuvimos la oportunidad de reunir a nuestras Directoras de PEPI y, una vez más, nos fuimos sintiéndonos increíblemente inspiradas por este maravilloso grupo de mujeres.

Nuestras Directoras de PEPI son principalmente proveedoras de cuidado infantil familiar y propietarias de centros de cuidado infantil de habla hispana que están rompiendo barreras juntas y creando nuevas oportunidades para ellas mismas, para las demás y para su comunidad.

A medida que se esfuerzan por aprender e implementar el currículo HighScope, también están aprendiendo a apoyarse unas a otras. Y quizás esa sea una de las cosas más poderosas de este grupo.
Hablamos sobre proveedoras que han participado en capacitaciones ofrecidas en español, han continuado su educación en Ivy Tech, han abierto nuevos programas de cuidado infantil y han asumido nuevas oportunidades de liderazgo. Cada uno de estos logros representa una barrera superada y, muchas veces, alguien más del grupo estuvo allí para animarlas y apoyarlas en el camino.
Y eso es exactamente de lo que se trata PEPI. No se trata simplemente de traducir una capacitación a otro idioma, sino de asegurarnos de que el idioma nunca sea una barrera para el aprendizaje, el liderazgo o la calidad.

Se trata de crear un espacio donde las proveedoras puedan aprender en el idioma que les permita participar plenamente y, después, utilizar ese conocimiento para fortalecer sus programas, apoyarse unas a otras y crear nuevas posibilidades.

08/26/2026

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to bring our ECAP Directors together! 💛 We spent time connecting, sharing, and reflecting on an important question: “What is one thing you’re proud of about the quality of your program right now?”
As standards of quality continue to change, one thing remains firm for everyone in that room—our commitment to HIGH-QUALITY experiences for the children and families in our community.
We also took time to share our Impact Report and celebrate the incredible work happening across our ECAP project, introduce new resources and supports, and talk about both new and ongoing ways we can support teachers and directors.
But what inspired us most was simply watching this amazing group of women support one another. Some of these directors have partnered with us since the very beginning—more than 20 years ago! They bring so much experience and wisdom, and we loved watching them naturally embrace newer directors, offering encouragement, program tours, meet-ups, and opportunities to learn from one another.
We left the day feeling incredibly inspired by them. This is more than a group of individual programs—it is a community of early childhood leaders who genuinely want to see one another succeed. There is something very special about this group, and we all feel lucky to be a part of it. 💛
Here’s to continuing to learn, grow, open our doors to one another, and stay committed to HIGH-QUALITY early childhood experiences for every child and family we serve!

08/25/2026

As longtime Dolly Parton fans and advocates for early childhood and literacy, we have always admired Dolly and the heart she has shared with the world. She has been an inspiration and an idol to so many of us. 💕
Her love for children, books, and early literacy connects so beautifully to the work we do every day at The Family Connection. Through her Imagination Library, Dolly helped put books into the hands of children and families around the world.
We are grateful for the legacy she leaves behind and the reminder that books, relationships, and early experiences can make a lasting impact.

Thank you, Dolly, for helping us make The Early Years Count!

08/24/2026

At our All-Team Meeting, we created a timeline from 2001 to 2026 and invited each team member to stand by the year they joined The Family Connection. Together, we reflected on one thing each person is proud to contribute to our team.

One of the sweetest moment was celebrating Beth and her incredible 25 years with The Family Connection! Her wisdom, heart, and dedication have shaped our organization and touched countless educators, children, and families. We are so grateful for you, Beth!

08/21/2026

Yesterday, our Family Connection team came together for our annual All-Team Meeting to kick off the 2026–27 school year!

We took time to reflect on the work, growth, and impact of the past school year, and even created our own team timeline to see how long each of us has been part of the Family Connection team. It was such a fun reminder of the experience, relationships, and shared history that we bring to our work.

We’re excited for another year of partnering with the educators and programs we have the privilege of supporting through ECAP and PEPI. From coaching and training to assessment and ongoing support, we’re looking forward to learning alongside you, celebrating your growth, and continuing the work together.
Here’s to a great school year!

08/19/2026

Is your classroom environment ready for the school year?

The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your classroom environment—and our team is already on the move! 👀
We’re conducting Environment Walk-Throughs for programs that have requested support, helping teachers take a fresh look at how their spaces support children’s learning, independence, and engagement. Whether preparing for a PQA observation, welcoming a new group of children, or simply looking for ways to make the classroom work better, a fresh set of eyes can make a difference.

08/17/2026

Last week, our team came together for our annual retreat, where we take time to Plan, Do, and Review.
We reflected on the impact we made together during the past school year and took time to consider the ripple effect each of us creates through our work. Using the river as our backdrop, we reflected on how even small actions can create ripples that reach children, educators, families, and our community in ways we may never fully see.

As we begin planning for this school year, we’re excited for what’s to come, including new workshops, continued coaching and support, and opportunities to revisit some of HighScope’s foundational principles.
Just as children learn through the Plan–Do–Review process, we know that taking time to pause, reflect, and plan helps us grow, too.
Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and making The Early Years Count!

08/12/2026

Our 5 year olds will receive “The Ocean’s Heartbeat” from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Join the jellyfish as they try to locate the loud THOOMP sound. What-or WHO is making that sound? This lovely story also contains great information about the animals of the ocean- and their hearts. Extent the learning and fun with the activity sheet found at
https://www.famconn.org/copy-of-eyc-literacy-connection

08/11/2026

Joining in on the fun. Thank you for the idea to our friends from The Early Learning Center !

08/07/2026

We stand with Head Start.

Today, the long-anticipated Head Start Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was released.

Over the coming days, the Michigan Head Start Association will carefully review the 200-page proposal, identify the most significant issues, and develop resources to help programs, families, and advocates respond effectively. We will provide summaries, talking points, sample comments, and opportunities for collective action.

Today is the day to get to work.

For many in the Head Start community, the idea of scaling back the research, innovation, and comprehensive approach that have defined Head Start for more than 60 years is difficult to comprehend. The work of Head Start has helped prepare children for success in school and life, strengthened families, expanded educational and economic opportunities, improved health outcomes, and created stronger communities across our nation.

Those outcomes did not happen by accident. They are the result of six decades of research, continuous improvement, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to children and families.

The good news is that a proposed rule is exactly that—a proposal. The 60-day public comment period gives us the opportunity to share the evidence, the data, and, most importantly, the stories that demonstrate why Head Start matters.

For more than 60 years, Head Start has served more than 40 million children and their families. Behind that number are millions of parents, staff, volunteers, educators, health professionals, local businesses, community partners, and advocates whose lives have been shaped by Head Start. Whether people realize it or not, nearly every community in America has been touched by the impact of Head Start. Those millions of voices—and the generations of children and families whose lives have been changed—are far more powerful than any single proposal.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay hopeful.

The Michigan Head Start Association will be with you every step of the way. Together, we will advocate for the children, families, staff, and communities who make Head Start one of our nation's greatest investments.