Local Resources

Lenawee's CHILD Playgroups

Lenawee's CHILD (Communities Helping to Increase Learning & Development) playgroups are a free service for parents and guardians of children birth to five. These playgroups offer information on child development and activities that foster learning and nurture development. Dates and times for each playgroup are posted on the LGS calendar.

Contact

For Adrian and Onsted playgroup information, contact:

Cathy Harris, Parent Educator

517.263.8931

cathy.harris@lisd.us

Find Licensed Day Care Centers and Preschools Near You!

Great Start to Quality is the best tool for families in Michigan looking for child care or preschool, as all licensed and registered program and providers, including Head Start and Great Start Readiness Programs, are listed in a free and easy-to-use search engine. Families can search by zip code, hours of operation or something even more specific (if a child has a food allergy or special need, families can search using that detail to find a program that meets their needs). The search engine is also the only place families can see the 'Great Start to Quality' star rating. The star ratings show how programs and providers scored on a quality rating scale. This rating scale was designed by experts and parents to help families find the highest quality setting to support their child for success in school and life. Other resources available at Great Start to Quality include a Child Care Checklist in the Parent Toolkit that is easily printed or viewed on any device, and licensing reports that show inspections, violations and corrections. For more information call 1.877.614.7328.

What to Look For: High-Quality Child Care Standards for Lenawee County

When looking for, or creating, a high-quality environment for children, consider these important recommendations.  Lenawee County parents and licensed center and home providers contributed their thoughts to the following list of standards:

High-Quality Child Care Standards

The Child Care Network

This organization is committed to improving the quality of child care and providing resources to help the community make educated choices about early childhood education. They have many resources to share, including a lending library with books for caregivers/parents, books for children, activity kits and videos.

Contact

1040 South Winter Street, Suite 2020, Adrian, MI 49221 (MSU Extension Office)

Phone: (517) 264-5324

lfuss@childcarenetwork.org

Child Care Network website

Type of Licensed Centers

There are a few different types of child care, as you’ve already learned. Child Care and Day Care are used interchangeably. Michigan requires child care programs and preschools to be registered/licensed.

A Parent's Guide to Child Care Licensing

Registered Family Homes: able to provide care for up to 6 children. Operates a home-based business in his/her private residence. May care for infants, toddlers, pre-school, and school-aged children who need supervision after school.

Licensed Group Homes: are able to provide care for up to 12 children. Group homes with more than 6 children must employ an assistant caregiver. Operates a home-based business in his/her private residence. May care for infants, toddlers, pre-school, and school-aged children who need supervision after school

Licensed Centers: able to provide care for many children depending on the size of the facility. Licensed centers are able to provide care for infants, toddlers, preschool-age and school-age children if their license permits.

To publicize your licensed child care, you can visit Great Start to Quality and follow the instructions. This is a database of all the licensed and registered programs where you can search by city, address or zip code.

Preschool: are licensed facilities that provide full and/or half-day educational programs for 3 and 4 year old children (including Head Start and Great Start Readiness Programs).

The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP): is a state-funded preschool program for children who will be 4 on or before September 1st and who are at-risk for future educational difficulties. Some examples of risk factors include developmental immaturity; a long-term or chronic illness; and an unemployed parent, single parent, incarcerated parent or teen-age parent.  There is no cost for this program. Lenawee County offers both school-day program and a part-day program.

Head Start: is a federally-funded, comprehensive preschool program designed to meet emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs of three- and four-year-olds and their families. The Lenawee County Head Start program exists to serve children and families by providing early childhood education, family support services and community resources. Head Start Preschool Programs provide FREE services to more than 450 children and families throughout Lenawee County. Our preschool classrooms create a supportive learning environment where children follow a daily routine, participate in literacy and math activities and practice positive social interactions.

Lenawee GSRP Locations

Adrian

• Adrian Community Preschool (876 Addison St., Adrian) 517-263-8676
• Adrian Head Start (340 East Church Street, Adrian) 517-263-2468
• Birth Toddlers & Beyond (1646 Sand Creek Hwy, Adrian) (517) 265-6264
• Madison Elementary (3498 Treat Highway, Adrian) 517-263-0741

Britton/Deerfield

• Britton Elementary (201 College Ave., Britton) 517-451-4581

Blissfield

• Blissfield Elementary (640 South Lane Street, Blissfield) 517-486-2811

Clinton

• David P. Pray Preschool (330 East Michigan Ave. Clinton) 517-456-2010

Hudson

• Birth Toddlers & Beyond (709 Jefferson, Hudson) 517-448-3506

Morenci

• Morenci Elementary School (517 E. Locust St, Morenci) 517-458-7504

Onsted

• Onsted Schools (10109 Slee Road Onsted) 517-467-2895

Tecumseh

• Tecumseh South Early Learning Center (2780 Sutton Rd, Adrian) 517-424-9957

Additional Resources

"Make Time to Talk" Tip Sheet

The National Institute for Literacy has created a "Make Time to Talk" tip sheet for both home-base and center-based child care providers.

Free Social and Emotional Resources

If you need materials to help you work with a child who has challenging behaviors or you wish to just make classroom management run smoothly, click through this list of the latest researched based materials.

Scholarships Available for Child Care Providers

T.E.A.C.H Michigan: A Project of Michigan 4C Association is now offering a scholarship to teachers, directors, assistants, owners, and family child care providers. 

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application

Immunization Requirements

The State of Michigan requires certain immunizations for children attending childcare centers or preschool programs.  Go to the CDC Immunizations page for details, including a "catch up" immunization schedule. 

Michigan Vaccine Requirements - Child Care and Preschool

What to Look For: Curriculum

Is your child's preschool using an established curriculum? "Curriculum" simply refers to what is taught and how it is taught. Be sure to ask what curriculum a preschool uses, as it is important to know whether the content and method of teaching actually produces developmentally-appropriate learning for your child. As a parent, you may decide that some curricula are a better fit for your child than others. How to tell? Here are basic descriptions of the most common curricula and links for further information.

• Creative Curriculum - Creative Curriculum focuses on eleven interest areas or activities in the program environment: blocks, dramatic play, toys and games, art, sand and water, library, discovery, music and movement, cooking, computers, and the outdoors. It helps teachers understand how to work with children at different developmental levels to promote learning and guides them in adapting the environment to make it more challenging. It includes a parent component and audiovisual resources.

• HighScope - HighScope is used in both public and private part-day and school-day preschools, nursery schools, Head Start programs, child care centers, Home-Based child care programs, and programs for children with special needs. It is based on the fundamental premise that children are active learners who learn best from activities they plan, carry out, and reflect on. Key developmental indicators are grouped into ten categories: creative representation, language and literacy, initiative and social relations, movement and music, classification, seration, numbers, space, and time. A central element of the day is the “plan-do-review sequence” in which children make a plan, carry it out, and then reflect on the results. The daily routine includes times for small and large-group experiences, and time for outside play.

• Montessori - Montessori is based on the work and writings of the Italian physician, Maria Montessori. It appears to be the first curriculum model for children of preschool age that was widely disseminated and replicated. It is based on the idea that children teach themselves through their own experiences and it provides a carefully prepared and ordered environment. The curriculum focuses on five areas: practical life, sensory awareness education, language arts, mathematics and geometry, and cultural subjects. Materials proceed from simple to complex and from concrete to abstract.

• Project Approach - The Project Approach emphasizes integration of the curriculum. A project is an in-depth investigation of a specific topic with the main goals of finding out more about the topic rather than to seek answers to questions proposed by the teacher. Either the children or teacher can generate the topic. The questions to be addressed and investigated during the project are generated and developed by children. Project work should not constitute the whole curriculum, but should address the more informal parts of the curriculum.

• Reggio Emilia - Reggio Emilia emphasizes the involvement of children, staff, and parents in the learning experience, and is based on the following principles:

  • Emergent Curriculum: An emergent curriculum is one that builds upon the interests of children. Teachers work together with children to formulate hypotheses about the possible directions of a project, the materials needed, and possible parent and/or community support

  • Representational Development: Similar to the idea of teaching through the use of multiple intelligences, the Reggio Emilia approach calls for the integration of graphic arts as tools for cognitive, linguistic, and social development.

  • Collaboration: Collaborative group work, both large and small, is considered valuable and necessary to advance cognitive development. Children are encouraged to dialogue, critique, compare, negotiate, hypothesize, and problem solve through group work.

  • Teachers as Researchers: Working as a member of a teaching team, the role of the teacher is that of a learner alongside the children. The teacher is a facilitator and resource.

  • Documentation: Similar to the use of a portfolio, documentation of children’s work in progress is viewed as an important tool in the learning process for children, teachers, and parents.

  • Environment: Within the Reggio Emilia schools, great attention is given to the look and feel of the classroom. The environment is considered an important and essential component of the learning process.

• Tools of the Mind - Tools of the Mind is based on a Vygotskian approach, incorporating the idea that cognitive and social/emotional self-regulation is important to school readiness. Brain research indicates the areas of the brain responsible for self-regulatory capacities develop during preschool. The importance of self-regulation is not only supported by research evidence, it is ranked as the major characteristic necessary for school readiness by kindergarten teachers. Primary aspects of a Tools of the Mind classroom:

  • It is a cooperative classroom where children learn to work with each other, help each other learn, and are not afraid to make mistakes.

  • Children engage in activities that help them develop focused attention and deliberate memory.

  • Children develop cognitive and emotional skills by engaging in mature play.

  • Children develop play plans and cooperate with other children to create play scenarios.

  • Literacy and math skills are taught in an individualized manner, without whole group instruction, in a way that is efficient and manageable for the teacher.

  • The classroom fosters creativity and imagination through drawing, painting, story creation, and play.

Information courtesy of Michigan Department of Education

Children smile an average of 400 times a day, but adults only 15 times. Ever wonder why?

Make time for fun! Playing with your children develops lasting bonds.

Local Information

Whether you are looking for family friendly festivals, or a weekend of relaxation and fun on the lake, there is something here for everyone! View the Visit Lenawee website for more information. 

Michigan's Ecology Center, a non-profit environmental group, has tested thousands of toys in order to provide parents with the information they need when purchasing toys and other child products.

Local Parks & Recreation Centers

• Adrian Recreation and Arts
• Frank and Shirley Dick Family YMCA ( 5660 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian)
• Tecumseh Parks and Recreation
• Blissfield Parks and Recreation
• Hidden Lake Gardens (Tipton)
• Hayes State Park (Onsted)
• The Centre (Christian Family Center, Wolf Creek Hwy & 223, Adrian)

Libraries

Books, story hours and special programs make libraries a great place to start learning.
Get to know the one nearest you.

Lenawee District Library:

• Main Branch: 4459 W. US 223 Adrian, MI - (517) 263-1011
• Addison Branch: 102 South Talbot St. Addison, MI - (517) 547-3414
• Britton Branch: 120 College Ave. Britton, MI - (517) 451-2860
• Clayton Branch: 3457 State Street Clayton, MI - (517) 445-2619
• Deerfield Branch: 170 Raisin Street Deerfield, MI - (517) 447-3400
• Onsted Branch: 261 South Main St. Onsted, MI - (517) 467-2623
• Bookmobile travels to various locations (call main branch for details)

Adrian District Library
143 E. Maumee St. Adrian 
(517) 265-2265

Blissfield Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library
407 S.Lane St. Blissfield, MI
(517)-486-2858

Clinton Township Library
100 Brown St., Clinton, MI 
(517) 456-4141

Hudson Carnegie District Library
205 S. Market St., Hudson, MI
(517) 448-3801

Morenci Stair District Library
228 W. Main St., Morenci, MI
(517) 458-6510

Sand Creek - Read It and Reap Library
6193 Railroad St Box 86
Sand Creek MI  49279

Tecumseh District Library
215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh, MI
(517) 423-2238

Books for Your Child!

Books for Your Toddler!

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will help you read with your child. It sounds almost too simple ot be true, but by reading regularly with your children during their preschool years, you are giving them the biggest boost toward a successful education they will ever get. If you are not sure you can afford books for your child, the Imagination Library and Lenawee Community Foundation will make it happen, every month, through your child's fifth birthday! Sign up and each month a new, carefully select book will be mailed in your child's name directly to your home. Get started on your reading adventure:

Imagination Library Form - English

Imagination Library Form - Spanish

Tips for Reading with Kids

Reading with kids is important, but so is HOW you read with them. Using the "PEER" sequence is a great way to get your child actively engaged in reading.

PEER stands for Prompt, Evaluate, Expand and Repeat. Here's how it works:

• PROMPT your child to say something about the book: Point to a picture: "What's this?" Child says "Truck!"
• EVALUATE your child's response: "That's right!"
• EXPAND on the response by rephrasing or adding information: "It's a red fire truck."
• REPEAT the prompt or expansion: "Can you say fire truck?"

Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee

The Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee serves all youth, ages 7-18. The membership fee is only $3 per child, per calendar year. Locations are in Adrian (7/8 Building on Church St.) and in Hudson (in the middle/high school building). Members enjoy games, receive homework help, participate in technology programs, take field trips, and much more. 

Lenawee 2-1-1

Dial 2-1-1 from any phone for free and an operator will help you find services available in your community.

Michigan 2-1-1 website

Lenawee Community Foundation

The Lenawee Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on enhancing the health, happiness and hope of Lenawee citizens through permanent endowments that address current and anticipated community needs. The LCF Resource Guide is a useful document that lists all community resources in Lenawee County, including food, clothing, shelter, and other areas of support.

Lenawee Community Foundation Resource Guide

Community Action Agency

The Community Action Agency provides a local approach to address the causes and conditions of poverty by promoting self-sufficiency in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties through programming, advocacy and leadership.

Their efforts are primarily focused on 5 target areas: Housing, Education, Employment, Community Development, and Health & Nutrition.

Community Action Agency website

United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties

 517.264.6821 (Lenawee office)

United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties website

Child Care Financial Assistance

Child Care Network (CCN) offers tuition scholarships to assist families with licensed, quality child care programs. A limited number of scholarships are available for children ages zero to 12 years old. We welcome applications from parents and guardians who are working, attending school, in crisis situations (domestic violence and/or homelessness), seeking employment, and grandparents raising grandchildren.

Child Care Financial Assistance

Friend of the Court

425 N. Main St. #304, Adrian, MI 49221

 517.264.4706

Lenawee Friend of the Court website

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan

Retail Store & Donation Center Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 9am-9pm
Sunday: 10am-7pm

 1400 US Highway 223, Adrian, MI 49221

 517.759.3600

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan website

Foster Grandparent Program

The Foster Grandparent Program through the Lenawee Department on Aging provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for eligible persons age 55 and over in Lenawee County, enabling them to render supportive person-to-person services to children, who have special or exceptional needs. The program offers an excellent opportunity for older persons to share their lifetime of experience with children in need of a supportive relationship.

 517.264.5280

Lenawee Department on Aging website

Helping Hand

Michigan family support, health care, jobs and training information are just a click away.

Michigan Helping Hand website

Adrian Dial-A-Ride

Dial-A-Ride is the public transportation system in Adrian that will pick you up at your curb side and take you anywhere you want to go in the city limits of Adrian. Each vehicle is wheel chair accessible.

Adrian Dial-A-Ride website

Schedule your ride at (517) 265-6611

Lenawee Transportation

Lenawee Transportation is Lenawee County’s public transportation system offering transit service to most areas in Lenawee County. Due to financial constraints, with regrets, there are pockets within Lenawee County where service is not available.

Lenawee Transportation website

Schedule your ride at (517) 265-4444

Other Transportation Resources

Lenawee Public Transportation Services Options

Food Pantries

Food Pantries provide emergency food packages for people who do not have enough money to buy food. They are intended to fill in a gap as an emergency program and do not provide people with food on a continuous basis. Some pantries have a limit to how often you can get groceries. The food packages vary from one pantry to another, but some offer vegetables, frozen meat, canned goods, cereal, pasta and other grocery staples. Infant formula, diapers and baby food are available at certain locations, so you should mention if you need these items when you call for a referral. 

Please visit the Michigan 2-1-1 website for a current list of food pantries near you. 

God's Breadbasket- Dinner's on us 

The Dinner's On Us! service is the most visible aspect of God's Breadbasket. They host an all inclusive dinner Tuesday through Friday 6pm to 7pm. There are no questions asked, and no one who is respectful and polite will be refused a nutritious meal and the company of gracious hosts who provide the meals. This service is provided with the intent of providing nourishment to those who have suddenly found themselves in a tough spot, or how may need assistance on a regular basis. They also provide food through their pantries that are available to those who need extra food throughout the week.

312 W Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh, MI 49286

(567) 703-0551

God's Breadbasket website

Autism Evaluation Centers

View the complete list of approved Michigan Autism Evaluation Centers.

Pediatricians

Dr. Hajyousef
901 Kimole Lane B1
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 263-6733

Dr. Daniel, Dr. Shelle, and CNP Madeline Petee
All located @
6869 Occidental Rd
Tecumseh, MI 49286
(517) 423-4777

Dr. Reddy
901 Kimole Lane
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 263-7337

Non-Lenawee Suggestions, Medical
University of Michigan Pediatric Behavioral Health & Psychiatry
4250 Plymouth Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-0231

Dentists

Willow Pediatric Dentistry
603 N. Evans St.
Tecumseh, MI 49286

Dr. Kaechele
1671 US 12
Clinton, MI 49236

Non-Lenawee Suggestions, Dentistry
Ann Arbor Pediatric Dentistry
2074 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 663-2490

University of Michigan Hospital Dentistry (this is not the Dental School)
They have disability clinic days on most Tuesdays and this is especially helpful if your child/adult requires any oral sedation.
Main Hospital
(734) 936-5950

Eye Care

Anklin Eye Care
904 W. Chicago Blvd.
Tecumseh, MI 49286
(517) 423-7447

Non-Lenawee Suggestions, Eye Care
Kellogg Eye Center
1000 Wall St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 763-8122

Hair Stylists/Barbers

Lindsey Burwell-Southern Sass
203 S. Lane St.
Blissfield, MI 49228
(517) 759-0525

Cindy Melnik-Trendz
1375 W. Maumee St.
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 263-7927

Jamie Bledsoe-Modish Styles
208 E. Chicago Blvd.
Tecumseh, MI 49286
(517) 424-5678

Other Resources

Community Mental Health
1040 S. Winter St.
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 263-8905

MRS-Michigan Rehabilitation Services
1040 S. Winter St. Suite 3010
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 263-0607

Ivy Rehab (ABA Therapy, OT)
1424 S. Main St.
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 312-1712

Sprouts (OT, PT, SPL)
1325 N. Main St.
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 759-7902

Michigan Alliance for Families (providing education and support)
1325 S, Washington Ave.
Lansing, MI 48910
(517) 552-4821 (will route you to local support coordinator)

Local IEP and General Disability Support
123 Advocacy
209 N. Main St.
Adrian, MI 49221
(517) 918-1516

Lenawee County Mental Health Resource Guide

Nearly half of us will experience a mental or emotional issue at some point of our lives. Much like physical health, it is equally as important to emphasize early intervention and treatment for our behavioral health needs. Please know there are resources available to support your journey to improved health and well-being. As the leading health care provider in Lenawee County, ProMedica is pleased to offer our community this resource guide for mental health care in our region.

Health

Health Insurance Marketplace Information

Visit the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace for details and information.

Free Prescription Drug Discount Card

If you are an individual or family with no prescription drug coverage, the FamilyWize card will save you an average of 20%.  Get details and print out your card online or stop by the Lenawee United Way Office.

Insurance for Michigan Children

Find out in 30 minutes or less if you or your children are eligible for Health Care coverage

MIChild is a health insurance program for uninsured children of Michigan's working families. MIChild services are provided by many HMO's and other health care plans throughout Michigan. Enroll in MIChild online.

Children's Special Health Care Services

For Children with Chronic Health Conditions

CSHCS will pay the medical bills for qualified persons to see specialty providers and pay for care related to their condition. This care may include surgery, medications, equipment and hospitalizations. CSHCS can also help provide or cover transportation costs to these appointments. There are more than 2,700 medical conditions that may qualify children for coverage including diabetes, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, cystic fibrosis and blood disorders. Any condition where a child needs to see a specialist for care (like a doctor at the University of Michigan or Toledo Hospital) may qualify. Eligibility does not depend on income. Families of all incomes can join as well as those with private health insurance. Some families pay a fee to join that is based on a sliding scale. Children with an approved diagnosis who have Medicaid or MI Child may also qualify for CSHCS at no cost. For more information and a complete list of qualifying medical conditions, visit the CSHCS website or call the Lenawee County Health Department at 517.264.5228.

Lenawee MSU Extension

MSU's Family Programs are dedicated to helping families live happy, healthy lives. 

The Ecology Center

You can’t have healthy people on a sick planet. The Ecology Center puts a health frame on all of their work because a healthy environment is critical to human health, and because it makes environmental issues more real for people. Health professionals are opinion leaders in society and can be influential in public policy. As a result, they proactively seek out allies in the health care profession and health care industry.

Family Medical Center of Michigan

Dedicated to quality and excellence in providing comprehensive, cost-effective primary and preventive health care regardless of age, ethnic background or the ability to pay.
Services provided: immunizations, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) testing, physical exams, individual/group therapy, dental services, and many more.

1200 N Main Street
Adrian, MI 49221
517-263-1800
Family Medical Center website

Lenawee County Health Department Family Planning Clinic

The Family Planning Clinic provides teens and adults of childbearing age with health information and a broad range of contraceptive methods to prevent unplanned pregnancy.  For more information or to set up an appointment call (517) 264-5226. 

Miscellaneous Health Information

• Immunization Schedules (Vacunas recomendadas para sus bebés), including a catch-up immunization scheduler
• Lenawee Health Department - immunization clinic and more
• The American Academy of Pediatrics website

Safety

Child Car Seat Information

Michigan state child car seat law:  Children younger than four must ride in a car seat in the rear seat of the vehicle if the vehicle has a back seat. 

The Ultimate Car Seat Guide

Contact Kelley Hissong at the Tecumseh Police Department to schedule an appointment for car seat safety help:
(517) 423-7494
309 E. Chicago Blvd
Tecumseh, MI 49286  

Consumer Products Safety Commission

View the latest product recalls.

Children's Protective Services: 855-444-3911

Report child abuse or neglect. If you suspect abuse or neglect, call 855-444-3911 any time day or night. This toll-free phone number allows you to report abuse or neglect of any child or adult to the Michigan Department of Human Services. One number. One call. One person can make a difference. Learn more about Children’s Protective Services.

Miscellaneous Safety Information

Keep important numbers and emergency contacts handy. Create your own emergency contacts list.