Great Start

Great Start is committed to ensuring that all children are healthy, safe and ready to succeed by age five. Children don’t come with instructions; Great Start can help assist parents of children from birth to age five with finding answers to those questions that arise when raising children.

In the first few years of life, children learn more and at a much faster pace than at any other time in life. Great Start provides information on child development, involves parents in activities to encourage language development, intellectual growth, social development and motor skills. These services are free to all parents of children ages birth to five in St. Joseph County ! Use the links at left to visit the State of Michigan ‘s Great Start Website and find out more about this initiative, or to find out more about the different components that we incorporate to help the children of St. Joseph County get a “Great Start”.

If you would like more information on the St. Joseph County Great Start Program or would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact Julie Rittenhouse, Early Childhood Supervisor.

  • Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) - Free preschool program for four year old children.
  • Head Start - Free preschool program for three and four year old children.
  • Great Start Collaborative - A coordinated system of services and resources to assist families in providing a great start for their children from birth through age five.