Free early education pilot program coming to Delta County
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ESCANABA -- A new partnership is bringing Strong Beginnings, a state-funded pilot program offering free, play-based early education, to three-year-olds in Delta County for the 2026-28 school years.
The Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) and Menominee Delta Schoolcraft Community Action Agency (MDSCAA) Early Childhood Program were selected to participate as Michigan expands Strong Beginnings from 19 to 31 intermediate school districts statewide.
The program aims to provide developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that help children build social-emotional, language, literacy and early learning skills before entering kindergarten while building on Michigan's PreK for All strategy.
Small class sizes, certified early childhood educators, family engagement supports and strong connections to community resources are also key components of the learning model.
Delta County’s Strong Beginnings classroom will be located at the MDSCAA in Escanaba, 507 1st Ave N, and serve up to 15 three-year-olds residing in Delta County beginning this fall.
Myra Smeester, MDSCAA deputy director and Early Childhood Program director, said the organization is excited to partner with the DSISD on the Strong Beginnings program.
"As a program that prepares children for school, we know that starts at birth. We serve prenatal to five-year-olds and are happy to include Strong Beginnings in our list of programming," Smeester said.
DSISD Early Childhood Director Mallory Clickner also commented on the importance of early, high-quality education for local children.
“We know how important the early years are in building a strong foundation for every child, and we're incredibly excited to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities for three-year-olds in our community," said Clickner. "This partnership is a wonderful example of what can happen when schools, community organizations and families come together with a shared commitment to our youngest learners."
Coordinated in partnership with the Clinton County Regional Educational Service Agency (CCRESA), the program serves children from families with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level, which is approximately $82,500 annually for a family of four, as well as children who may benefit from additional early learning supports.
The expansion is expected to increase the program’s reach from 476 children across 34 classrooms during the 2025-26 school year to approximately 750 children across 50 classrooms during the 2026-27 school year -- an estimated 58% increase in children served.
Clickner added, "This partnership is a wonderful example of what can happen when schools, community organizations and families come together with a shared commitment to our youngest learners. At the DSISD, we're proud to be part of this work and to continue championing the importance of early education for children and families."
Along with Delta County, new classrooms implanting Strong Beginnings will open in Allegan, Clare, Clinton, Genesee, Huron, Jackson, Macomb, Marquette, Montcalm, Ottawa, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Joseph, Washtenaw and Wexford counties.
“The DSISD is thrilled to be a part of the Strong Beginnings pilot in partnership with MDSCAA," DSISD Superintendent Kristina Hansen said. "Early education is critical for all students. The opportunity to expand options to include three-year-olds is remarkable for the children, families and this community.”
Initially launched in 2020 with support through federal Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge funding, the program has continued to grow thanks to bipartisan state and federal early childhood investments.
According to the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP), families with children in three-year-old programs save an average of nearly $16,000 per year per child on early learning costs.
Nearly 90% of participating families also said the Strong Beginnings program helped them work more hours, look for employment, improve their health or pursue education and career training opportunities.
“Every child deserves a strong start, and we know that high-quality early learning experiences can have a lasting impact on a child’s future success,” said Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “By expanding Strong Beginnings to additional communities, Michigan is helping more children build the foundational skills they need to thrive in school while providing families with valuable support during a critical stage of development."
Smeester said the best way to find out if a family qualifies is to apply. Families who are enrolled in the food assistance program or cash program through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are automatically eligible, as are families who are experiencing homelessness or children in foster care.
Families may still qualify based on other circumstances, such as a child’s developmental needs or other factors that may affect their readiness for school.
"If you’re not sure where you stand, don’t count yourselves out -- give us a call and we’ll walk you through it together," Smeester said.
The program features rolling admission, meaning there is no deadline to apply. Space in the program is currently available.
To learn more about Strong Beginnings or apply call MDSCAA at 906-786-7080 or visit dspreschool.org.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.