Blog / News & Information

1Oct

Shop with a Cop 2026: Nominations Open for Livingston County Children

Oct1, 2026 Community events/ Community Partner

Livingston County is getting ready for the 22nd annual Shop with a Cop event, an opportunity that brings local law enforcement officers and children together for a special day of connection, community and holiday shopping. Programs like Shop with a Cop provide an opportunity...

29Sep

Parent Education

Free October 2026 Parenting Classes & Resources from MSU Extension

Sep29, 2026 Parent Education

Looking for practical parenting support you can access from home? Michigan State University Extension has a full lineup of FREE online classes for parents and caregivers this October. Parenting brings plenty of questions, and sometimes a little information, reassurance, or a new strategy can...

21Sep

Early Childhood Education/ Events/ Family Activities/ STEAM

FREE Little Explorers’ S.T.E.A.M. Night at LESA November 12

Sep21, 2026 Early Childhood Education/ Events/ Family Activities/ STEAM

FREE Little Explorers’ S.T.E.A.M. Night at Livingston ESA! Calling all little scientists, builders, artists, inventors and explorers! Help Me Grow Livingston and Great Start Livingston invite Livingston County families with children ages 0–5 to join us for a FREE evening of hands-on fun, creativity...

15Sep

Literacy/ Parent Education

Reading Starts Long Before Kindergarten: What Livingston County Families Learned About Reading, Brains & Resilience

Sep15, 2026 Literacy/ Parent Education

How do you help a young child learn to read?For babies, toddlers and preschoolers, learning to read begins long before a child can read words independently. The foundation grows through talking, listening, playing with language, sharing books, drawing and writing, building relationships, and giving...

11Sep

Community Partner/ Help Me Grow/ STEAM

Help Us Bring STEAM to Life for Livingston County’s Littlest Learners

Sep11, 2026 Community Partner/ Help Me Grow/ STEAM

Help Bring S.T.E.A.M. to Life for Livingston County’s Littlest Learners What does science look like when you’re 2? It might be dropping a ball down a ramp over and over again to see what happens. Technology might mean pushing a button and discovering that...

9Sep

Michigan Alliance For Families/ Parent Representation/ Parent Resources

Building Parent Leadership Skills in Early Childhood with Michigan Alliance for Families

Sep9, 2026 Michigan Alliance For Families/ Parent Representation/ Parent Resources

Parents of young children with disabilities are at the start of their journey with supports, services, and special education for their child. Parent voices are needed on local, county, and state boards that support children with disabilities and their families. Michigan Alliance for Families...

8Sep

Community events

Holiday Assistance Available Through The Salvation Army of Livingston County

Sep8, 2026 Community events

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but for families facing financial challenges, the added cost of gifts, meals and other holiday expenses can also bring extra stress. The Salvation Army of Livingston County is here to help local families experience a little...

2Sep

Collaborative Updates/ Community Partner/ Help Me Grow

Livingston County Partners Help Shape the Future of Great Start and Help Me Grow

Sep2, 2026 Collaborative Updates/ Community Partner/ Help Me Grow

Great Start Collaborative • September 2, 2026 A Community That Picks Up the String Livingston County partners came together to reflect on an extraordinary year, celebrate the growth of Help Me Grow Livingston, and begin shaping the next chapter of our work supporting families...

1Sep

Health/ Lead

Free Water Filters for Michigan Families: MDHHS Expands “Get Ahead of Lead” Program Statewide

Sep1, 2026 Health/ Lead

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced a major expansion of its public health efforts. The state’s Get Ahead of Lead initiative—specifically the Statewide Filter Support Program—is now available to eligible households in all Michigan communities. If you qualify, you...

31Aug

Diapers/ Parent Resources

FREE Diapers Available at Livingston County Health Department in 2026

Aug31, 2026 Diapers/ Parent Resources

Each month the Livingston County Health Department in partnership with the Monroe County Opportunity Program will be distributing FREE diapers and wipes to in-county families that meet income requirements. Simply visit the Health Department between 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. on the dates below....

31Aug

Food/ Resources

Food Resources for Livingston County Families: Pantries, Meals & More

Aug31, 2026 Food/ Resources

Every family deserves access to enough nutritious food to grow, learn, work, and thrive. September is Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness about food insecurity and make sure our neighbors know where to turn when they could use a little extra support....

26Aug

Community Partner/ Literacy/ Stories in Storefronts/ StoryWalk/ StoryWalk

Thank You, Howell! Celebrating 2026 Stories in Storefronts

Aug26, 2026 Community Partner/ Literacy/ Stories in Storefronts/ StoryWalk/ StoryWalk

Another summer of stories, family time, and exploring downtown Howell has come to a close! This week, our Great Start Livingston team made our way through downtown Howell to collect the final StoryWalk® panels from our 2026 Stories in Storefronts. Along the way, we...

25Aug

Collaborative Updates/ Help Me Grow

We’re Still Here: Thank You, Livingston County

Aug25, 2026 Collaborative Updates/ Help Me Grow

September marks the end of a year unlike any other for Great Start Livingston. A year ago, we entered a new fiscal year without the state funding that had supported Great Start Collaborative work in Livingston County for nearly two decades. We didn’t know...

23Aug

Literacy/ Parent Education

How Your Child’s Brain Influences Reading, Behavior & Resilience

Aug23, 2026 Literacy/ Parent Education

How does your child’s developing brain influence reading, behavior, and resilience? Parents and caregivers of young children are invited to join Great Start Livingston for a FREE Parent Workshop: The Neuroscience of Reading and Resilience, presented by Horacio Sanchez, President and CEO of Resiliency...

22Aug

Events/ Family Activities

Save the Date: Little Explorers’ S.T.E.A.M. Night – November 12, 2026

Aug22, 2026 Events/ Family Activities

Save the date for an evening of hands-on S.T.E.A.M. fun for young children and families! Little Explorers’ S.T.E.A.M. Night Great Start Livingston is excited to bring families together this fall for another Little Explorers’ S.T.E.A.M. Night. This family-friendly event will feature hands-on activities inspired...

21Aug

Postpartum

Feeling Off After Baby? Postnatal Support for Livingston County Families

Aug21, 2026 Postpartum

Bringing home a baby can be joyful, exhausting, exciting, overwhelming—and sometimes all of those things at once. Becoming a parent is a big change, and it’s normal to experience ups and downs along the way. But sometimes the feelings that come during pregnancy or...