FIRST CALL FOR HELP / United Way
1-800-887-1107 or 211 or 459-2255: Information and referrals for all area resources, including support groups.
www.unitedwaycares.com/UnitedWay/Home.htm

Adoptive Family Support Network
Offers parent-to-parent support, information and referral resources for adoptive families, and adoption issues.
http://www.afsn.org

Arbor Circle / Grand Rapids City Parent / Child Educational Playgroup
Open playgroups for 2-3 year olds. Do not need to be receiving services from Arbor Circle.
http://www.arborcircle.org

Arbor Circle Neighborhood Drop-In Center
Provides free respite child care for ages 2 weeks - 6 years.
http://www.arborcircle.org

ARC of Kent County
(Association for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities) Advocating for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
http://www.kentcountyarc.org

Bright Beginnnigs
A parent education and family support program, housed at local school districts, that provides services to children birth to school age and their families, using the Parents as Teachers program curriculum. Program for children birth to school age, which includes playgroups, home visits, developmental screenings and information for parents.
http://www.kentisd.org/brightbeginnings

Child and Family Resource Council
A private non-profit organization catering to the needs of families and children in the Kent County area. The Council provides education and awareness programs, community coordination, referrals, and advocacy, as well as coordinating the Healthy Start program.
http://www.childresource.cc

DeVos Children's Hospital Consumers Health Library
Offers books, CD Rom and videos that cover many different health topics. This organization will help find answers to health related questions for families of special needs children.
http://www.spectrum-health.org

Family Independence Agency
The Family Independence Agency (FIA) is Michigan's public assistance, child and family welfare agency. FIA directs the operations of public assistance and service programs through a network of over 100 county family independence agencies in every county in Michigan.
http://www.michigan.gov/fia

Family Support Network
Parents of children with special health and developmental needs meet monthly for discussion, support, problem solving, and advocacy, contact Chris Buczek (336-3939)
http://www.kentcounty.org/Health/HealthDepartment/HealthDepartment.htm

Grand Rapids Community College
Mission It is the mission of Grand Rapids Community College to provide the community with learning opportunities that enable people to achieve their goals. Vision Grand Rapids Community College is a vibrant institution of higher education dedicated to enriching people's lives and contributing to the vitality of the community
http://www.grcc.cc.mi.us/

Grand Rapids Public Library
Grand Rapids Public Library. Offers children's story time, check with local your local brand for scheduled times.
http://www.grapids.lib.mi.us

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
A support group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
http://www.lifeguidanceservices.org

Hispanic Center
Serving the needs of the Hispanic community. Interpretation/Translation Services, Immigration assistance program. 616-742-0200

Kent County Health Department
The Kent County Health Department is responsible for continually assessing the health of the community and ensuring that appropriate services are available and accessible for its citizenry.
http://www.kentcounty.org/Health/HealthDepartment/HealthDepartment.htm

Kent District Libraries
Offers children's story time. Check with your local branch for scheduled times.
http://www.kdl.org

Kent Intermediate School District (Links to Local School Districts)
Your gateway to educational information.
http://www.kentisd.org

Kindermusik of Rockford and Grand Rapids
A play-based, developmentally appropriate music and movement curriculum for children ages newborn through 8 years.
http://www.kindermusikofrockford.com

M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers)
o Bella Vista Church: 874-7727 (Rockford) o First Evangelical Covenant Church: 453-6346 (Tremont) o St. Matthew's Lutheran Church: 942-9091 (Cascade/Ada) o Thornapple Evangelical Covenant Church: 957-0580 (Cascade/Ada)
http://www.mops.org

Mary Free Bed Pediatric/ Community Rec. Therapy
(* For children with special needs) Swimming, special events, and other activities available
http://www.mfbrc.com

Michigan State University Extension
Nutrition, health, parenting classes and in-home support. Help with financial management as well as many other resources! Call for details.
http://www.msue.msu.edu/home

Parent to Parent
Provides support and information to families with a child that were placed in Neo-Natal Intensive Care at Spectrum Health.
http://www.spectrum-health.org

United Way of West Michigan
Heart of West Michigan United Way changes lives and builds a stronger community by helping people create solutions to important health and human service issues. Through fundraising, volunteerism and increasing community sufficiency, United Way makes our community a better place to live, work and raise a family.
http://www.unitedwaycares.com/UnitedWay/Home.htm