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Parent Liaison Support Resources

Support Resources

Partnering with students, families, and staff to remove barriers by using an asset-based approach to ensure that all families can fully participate and be successful in Jenison Public Schools.

Click the boxes below to expand their content.

Community Resources

Emergency Resources

Community Emergency Resources: Jenison Public School Parent Liaison Office is glad to offer our community an easily accessible flyer that gives information for emergency resources in our area.

Housing/Utility Assistance

Water Bill Assistance
Utility Assistance through OCCAA
OCCAA Weatherization Program: This program is offered to Ottawa County residence who are homeowners or renters. If renting, apartment complexes are not currently eligible for this program. This is a free program for individuals and homes that qualify. The program includes an inspection that will determine what eligible Weatherization activities will be performed. A licensed contractor will complete these measures and a post inspection will be done for quality assurance. Weatherization tasks may include things like attic insulation, wall insulation, floor insulation, weatherstripping, window caulking, other minor home repairs. Here is a flyer with the information.
Free or low cost Broadband Service: The ACP provides up to $30 per month, making many internet plans FREE. The program also provides a one-time discount of $100 for a laptop or tablet. Families that receive free and reduced school lunch; WIC or SNAP benefits; or are enrolled in other programs like Medicaid, Head Start, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) qualify. Apply at affordableconnectivity.gov
Connect to us - The supports above are not exhaustive and there may be more opportunities available to you, please reach out for further assistance.

Food Distribution

Ottawa County Food Access and Affordability Programs
Pet Food Pantry: If you are experiencing hardship and cannot afford food for your pet, we can help. The Harbor Humane Society pet food pantry is available once a month.
Mobile Food Pantry Schedule. After clicking the link, scroll down on the page to find the current Ottawa County food pantry schedule.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program: TEFAP will distribute USDA commodities to households in Ottawa County in December. Distribution will take place at the these sites, dates and times.
Food Distribution: Check out this Infographic from Ottawa County Community Action Agency explaining our food assistance programs and how to sign up.
The Fresh Guide to EBT answers all of your questions related to food stamps in Michigan. And best of all, the Fresh EBT app for I-phone and Android helps you keep track of all of your EBT information right on your phone.
Double Up Food Bucks: Use your EBT Bridge Card at participating farmers markets to get tokens for the purchase SNAP eligible items. Get an equal amount in FREE double up food bucks (up to $10/day) for Michigan grown fruits and vegetables! See all the information here and find participating Farmers Markets.
Where to Find Farmers Markets: Happiness is a trip to the farmers market! Lucky for us, there are tons of opportunities to score fresh produce, flowers, and goods around West MI. GR Kids has a handy 2023 Farmers Market Guide to get the scoop on weekly happenings.
Food Pantry: The Salvation Army in Holland is open Monday-Friday 1-4p, by appointment, no limit on visits. Call 616-392-4461 to make an appointment. See the Salvation Army's website for more information.
Connect to us - The supports above are not exhaustive and there may be more opportunities available to you, please reach out for further assistance.

Medical/Dental

Free COVID tests: MDHHS is announcing its expanded partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation through Project Act to provide 180,000 COVID-19 tests to 36,000 households. All households in the state of Michigan can order their free COVID-19 tests. Each household will receive one kit with five tests, typically within a week of ordering. Individuals without internet access can contact 211 for assistance ordering tests.
Hearing and Vision Screening: The Ottawa County Health Department is offering free vision and hearing screenings for children ages 3-5 years of age. Please see the flyer to sign up!
Connect to us - The supports above are not exhaustive and there may be more opportunities available to you, please reach out for further assistance.

Substance Use Disorder Resources

Find alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities near you - Browse 25 nearby treatment centers and search for inpatient, outpatient, or detox treatment. Filter by payment options, amenities, specialty programs, and more to find the best treatment for your unique situation. Browse 25 nearby treatment centers.

Family Supports

Childcare

JPS offers before and after school childcare as well as summer childcare called Summer Camp.
Connect to us - please reach out to us for further assistance.

School Supports

GVSU K-12 Connect: Offering free tutoring services and homework help to students in grades K-12. See this link for more information and to sign up.

Connect to us - The supports above are not exhaustive and there may be more opportunities available to you, please reach out for further assistance.

Support for Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Your Child’s Development: Did you know you can do the Ages and Stages Development Questionnaire (ASQ) when your infant is as young as 1 month old and up to 60 months? This tool is FREE on the Help Me Grow Ottawa page! Check on your child’s development and milestones throughout their growing up for school readiness.
Car Seat Safety Check Events: All car seat inspections are free. A limited number of low-cost replacement car seats are available at all locations, for those who qualify. Children who need a replacement seat must be present with a parent or legal guardian. See Corewell Health's website for more details.
Sibshops: Brothers and sisters of children with special needs, disabilities and chronic illness have a group that’s just for them, Sibshops. Sibshops are peer support groups that offer a safe and engaging space for siblings to learn, have fun, meet and be supported by other children who understand what it’s like to have a sibling with special needs. Sibshops is held one Saturday a month from 9am-11am in Zeeland. Click here for more information on having your child participate in Sibshops.
Baby Essentials: If you, or someone you know, needs a little help providing for your little one, check out the Baby & Toddler Pantry! You can order diapers, formula, wipes, clothing, and more. The Family Life Center in Hudsonville offers a 24/7 Blessings Center supplying diapers, wipes, and other essentials for your little one.
Connect to us - The supports above are not exhaustive and there may be more opportunities available to you, please reach out for further assistance.

Support for Parenting/Family

Strengthening Families 10-14 Program: This program is designed to foster communication, resilience, and positive family dynamics. See more information about the Strengthening Families program here.
Thriving Family: OSAP knows it takes effort to establish and maintain a healthy family life. Watch as these different West Michigan families talk about and demonstrate what they do to help their family thrive, the struggles they experience as parents or grandparents, and what you can do within your family. This website also describes what it means to thrive as a family. It also has a series of resources that are available to help parents learn these skills and connect with their youth.
Parental controls on iPhone/iPad: Knowing how to put boundaries on our kid’s devices can be challenging. This video gives step by step instructions on how to do it as well as how to have conversations with your kids about what is appearing on their screens. For further help, you may find this video or these written instructions helpful.
Teen Substance Abuse Education: Today, youth can easily conceal vapes, alcohol, and other substances with everyday, ordinary objects. Tour through a teen’s room staged with 44 different concealment containers, vape pens, and other indicators of youth substance use. Brought to you by Arbor Circle.
Nurturing Parenting Program: FREE Virtual 10-week series in Oct - Dec for parents and caregivers! Classes will cover topics including discipline, communication, child development, and problem-solving. This fun and informative class is for parents & caregivers with kids of any age! Classes are held virtually on Monday evenings.
Conscious DisciplineSkills Series: Join us for our virtual conscious discipline skills series. In this series we will discuss the different skills presented in the conscious discipline curriculum. Sessions are stand-alone – join us for as many as you’d like! Sessions are the third Tuesday of every month from 7:30 – 8:30pm. Click here to register.
Just for Dads: Join this 12-week series Just for Dads! The group will follow the 24/7 DADS curriculum created by the National Fatherhood Initiative and will explore issues of fatherhood including: anger management, discipline, nurturing, and role modeling. This group will be virtual! Thursday Evenings, August-October. click here to find when classes are happening.
Parent Education Videos: In 2021, Ottawa County Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP) launched a new Parent Education SHORT Video series. Several West Michigan parents self-recorded their parenting experiences or conversations with their teens about topics linked to substance use, mental health, and more. These candid recordings give insight into how parents can engage teens in necessary conversations that may feel uncomfortable to start or other helpful parenting advice. OSAP will release a short video each week on its YouTube Channel. Click here to watch the first video of the new Parent Education Video Series. From there you will be able to see the others or subscribe for future videos.
SMART Recovery - SMART Recovery's purpose is to help participants gain independence from any addictive behavior. SMART recovery meets regularly.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Prevention Training QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying “Yes” to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor. Find the dates for the next free QPR training here.
Thriving Despite Early Adversity- Our earliest childhood experiences have a big impact on shaping who we are today. Join Thrive Ottawa to learn about how your experiences as a child may be impacting your physical and mental health as an adult, as well as those around you. This presentation will also give concrete strategies for how you might build greater resiliency in your life. During the presentation, you will learn about the original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), one of the greatest public health discoveries of our time, which can help us understand “it’s not what’s wrong with us, but what happened to us.” This will be held on multiple dates. Click here to find the next Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Virtual Workshop.
MSU Extension classes: Michigan State University (MSU) Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities and businesses. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan’s economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information that they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities and empower our children to dream of a successful future. See a list of free opportunities to support families here.
Family Support Group -This group is for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals with mental illness. See more information here.
Connect to us - This supports above are not exhaustive and there may be more opportunities available to you, please reach out to us for further assistance

New Parent

Help Me Grow

Help Me Grow connects families with children, birth through age five, to local resources that help children grow up healthy and ready to succeed in school. These connections include child development resources, preschool and childcare resources - including free and low-cost options, play and learn groups, free and low-cost coaching programs, and connection to other parents. Connect with Help me Grow.

Maternal Infant Health Program

The Maternal Infant Health Program of Ottawa County nurtures health and wellness throughout pregnancy and infancy by partnering families with caring, trusted, and knowledgeable home visitors who serve the goals and needs of each family. Click here to learn more.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally-funded Special Supplemental Nutrition Program of the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture and is administered by the MDHHS, serving low and moderate income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. Sign up at signupWIC.com.

Moms Bloom

Moms Bloom connects families with newborns to passionate community members who provide quality, hands-on postpartum support. Check out all they offer at their website.

Positive Options

Positive Options offers valuable information from getting ready for the birth to how you can be a great parent. Positive options offers opportunities for counseling and mentorship to help you learn about prenatal care, parenting, relationships, life skills, and beyond while earning the physical items needed for the day to day care of your children.

Pregnancy Resource Center

Pregnancy Resource Center offers a comfortable, professional environment where you can discuss your situation and receive trusted information about pregnancy and parenthood. Families receive support and consultation on marriage and family issues as well as referrals for community resources. PRC provides free services including one-on-one mentoring, practical parenting classes and education, baby (0-2T) and maternity clothing, baby items including diapers, formula, essential equipment, and referrals for community resources. Learn more about how to access services here.

DHHS

DHHS Resources

Apply For Assistance
- MI Bridges application
- Connect to a DHHS navigator -for help navigating the application process or DHHS services.
Resources for Medicaid Eligible Families
- MDHHS Medicaid Renewal: At the start of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) MDHHS stopped the Medicaid renewal process. Renewals are restarting. If you have Medicaid, MIChild, or Healthy Michigan Plan you may need to go through the renewal process. This is to find if you are still eligible for free or low-cost Medicaid coverage. See this flyer to learn how to take the correct steps for renewal and to answer any questions you may have. The Parent Liaison Office also has a Michigan DHHS navigator willing to help. If you need further assistance, please reach out to your parent liaison.
- Medicaid My Health Portal: There is a free virtual training that discusses a new My Health Portal for Medicaid recipients.This training is helpful as it provides a “find a Dr near me” option and also provides a way for clients to request transportation online now for medical appointments. Upcoming training sessions.
Extra Bridge Card (EBT) Benefits

Mental Health

Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Videos: Ottawa Substance Use Prevention Coalition created three to five-minute videos to help youth practice positive mental health skills. Anyone can use these videos in individual or group sett ings. If you’re a teenager, feel free to watch these on your own. Middle School Videos and High School Videos. Videos are also available for Adult positive mental health skills.

Depression / Bipolar /Anxiety Support: Fairhaven church in Jenison is offering a free DBSA support group on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. See this flyer for more information.
Connect to us - The supports above are not exhaustive and there may be more opportunities available to you, please reach out to us for further assistance.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis please dial 988 or 911, or go to your nearest Emergency Room.