This page offers parenting events and information for Manistee County.
Use the form below to sign up for email updates and get the latest news for parents through our Facebook page. We also invite you to join our Facebook group!
Play and Learn Events
Join us for a time of learning & fun!
Play and Learn Events are an ideal place for children, aged birth through 5, to learn and develop through play. It is also an opportunity for parents and caregivers to build friendships, exchange parenting information, and learn to work together.
What does Play and Learn offer?
For the Child:
- Social Skills
- Independence
- Self confidence
- Simple rules and routines
- Local friends
- Exploration
- Creative Play and problem solving
- A chance to play and learn in small groups before entering school.
For the Parent/Caregiver:
- A chance to share experiences and ideas with other parents and caregivers
- Provides a time to talk to other adults
- Creates a support network
- An opportunity to play and learn with your child
- Enables you to become part of your local community
- Information about your child’s development
- Parenting resources and information
- A chance to get out of the house
- It’s fun and FREE
Playgroups are held at different times each month. Check the calendar above for time & location.
Join the
Great Start Parent Coalition
The Wexford-Missaukee-Manistee Great Start Collaborative wants YOU to join the Early Childhood Parent Coalition and/or Serve as a Parent Representative
- Our purpose is to increase the participation of parents in the planning and decision-making for children in Wexford, Missaukee, Manistee and Northern Osceola counties
- We assist in building public support for early childhood investments
- We include all parents, grandparents, caregivers and professionals who are involved with young children in Wexford, Missaukee, Manistee and Northern Osceola counties
Share the vision to ensure that every child in Wexford, Missaukee, Manistee and Northern Osceola counties will be healthy, happy, and ready to succeed in school and in life!
Explore
Parenting Resources
Links will open in a new window.
District Health Department #10 – Serving the counties of Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newaygo, Oceana and Wexford.
Early On Services – For families with children with developmental delays serving children birth to age three.
Manistee County Intermediate School District – Early education information, preschool, training, special education resources, staff and more.
Manistee County Library – The library offers great activities for children and families, including weekly story times, summer reading programs, and plenty of resources.
Resources for Families in Manistee County
Learn more by clicking on the name of the program.
2-1-1 – 2-1-1 is the three digit health and human service equivalent of the 911 system. By calling 211 anyone will be able to find and access help 24 hours a day from a trained resource and referral specialist. 211 specialist are able to help families get connected to local Manistee County resources for; housing needs, paying bills and mental health needs.
Early On Services – Early On Michigan offers early intervention services for infants and toddlers, birth to three years of age, with developmental delay(s) and/or disabilities, and their families. Research has shown that by addressing delays early on – especially between birth and age 3 – children have better outcomes, even into adulthood.
District Health Department #10 – DHD10 promotes and enhances the health of our communities and environment through protection, prevention, and intervention. DHD10 offers many different services for families;
Women, Infant & Children (WIC) – WIC is a nutritional food program that helps participants eat well and stay healthy. While it is named for women, infants, and children, others such as adoptive parents, fathers, grandparents, other family members, foster parents and some non-traditional custodial situations may also be eligible to receive WIC benefits for infants in their care.
Healthy Families America – Healthy Families America will share child growth and development information and activities with you, along with personalized, family-focused support in the comfort and convenience of your home. Your family support coach can share information on the resources available in your community.
Maternal Infant Health – MIHP provides in home support to pregnant women and infants who are Medicaid eligible. MIHP will see clients throughout their pregnancies and follow infants to age 18 months.
The Baby Pantry – The Holy Trinity Baby Pantry serves Manistee County families with children 0-5 on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. If you have children under six and would benefit from clothing, diapers/pull-ups, formula, equipment, books, toys, outerwear, shoes, and boots, we are here to help. There is no income requirement and the very few questions we ask are for the purposes of assembling demographics for grant/funding requests and to have contact information for reminders and product recalls.
Lighthouse Pregnancy Care Center- Lighthouse Pregnancy Care Center of Manistee County is dedicated to sharing God’s love, and grace by providing individuals and families with education, resources, and supportive mentoring for life affirming choices regarding pregnancy, pregnancy loss, childbirth, and early childhood parenting.