Connect4CareKids Offers a Lifeline to Detroit-Area Parents

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in Metro Parent

Navigating the challenges of finding quality, affordable child care can be overwhelming for parents. This is especially true when trying to balance work, family and other responsibilities. And what if you don’t have much support? Connect4CareKids by United Way for Southeastern Michigan is a valuable resource designed to ease this burden for parents in Metro Detroit.

For parents like Ja’Niece Bostic, this program has been transformative, offering the tools and connections needed to ensure their children are in safe, nurturing environments. “Not everybody has a village to help them,” Bostic says. “I appreciate the support that Connect4CareKids provides.”

Ja’Niece’s story

Bostic, a working mother of two, was seeking quality child care options for her two-year-old son. Like many parents, she encountered numerous obstacles in her search, from long waiting lists to high costs. “I came across United Way’s Connect4CareKids during an online search. The program seemed like it could address a lot of my needs,” Ja’Niece recalls.

Her initial experience of trying to navigate the child care system on her own was frustrating and time-consuming. “When I called around myself, there was a waiting list just about everywhere. United Way’s Connect4CareKids helped me get the care I needed for my son,” she says. “They are also able to help me with transportation, which I appreciate.”

Ja’Niece’s story is a common one for many parents in Southeast Michigan. The process of finding quality child care that is both affordable and conveniently located can be a huge challenge. That’s where Connect4CareKids comes in, offering a comprehensive solution for parents.

Not sure what you qualify for? Using a simple online form, parents can easily check their eligibility for various child care programs by answering a few short questions.

What Is Connect4Care Kids?

Connect4Care Kids powered by United Way for Southeastern Michigan is a centralized resource designed to help families of young children up to age 5 find quality child care at a reduced or no cost, depending on eligibility. The program offers several key services:

• Child Care Search: Easily locate providers near home, work or school.
• Eligibility Check: Answer a few questions online to determine eligibility for child care assistance programs.
• Provider Connection: Get matched with and connected to programs that meet your family’s needs.
• Resources: Receive support from United Way with basic needs; you can request additional personal assistance from staff if needed.

The program also promotes various child care assistance options, including:

• Head Start/Early Head Start: Free early education for low-income families.
• Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP): No- or low-cost preschool for eligible 4-year-olds.
• MDHHS Subsidy: Financial assistance for child care, helping with costs for parents who work, study or attend training.

Connect4CareKids is a support system that cares

One of the standout features of Connect4CareKids is the personalized support that parents can receive. Ja’Niece was impressed by how the program’s representatives went above and beyond to address her concerns.

“They are genuine in wanting to help. [The representative] took their time with me and answered any questions I had. They were thorough,” she explains.

However, the Connect4CareKids program can be navigated solely online by you if that’s what you prefer. The website has you covered, offering convenience and answers.

Connect4CareKids connected Ja’Niece with Early Head Start, a program that provides early childhood education and other services to families with children ages 0-3.

This connection was invaluable for Bostic, as it ensured her son was in a nurturing environment where he could grow and learn. “Now that my child is in Early Head Start, I can focus on my next steps and goals,” she says.

Using Connect4CareKids to overcome challenges

Like many parents, Ja’Niece had concerns about trusting someone else with her child. “They are very open about everything,” Bostic explains. “I was able to see the building that my son would be going to and I feel good about it. Plus, it’s not far from where I live, so if there is an emergency I can be there right away.”

Bostic also likes the fact that parents can visit the program as volunteers and be involved in what their kids are doing.

Moving forward with confidence

Thanks to Connect4Care Kids, Ja’Niece Bostic now feels empowered to take the next steps in her life, knowing that her son is in good hands. “Now that my child is in Early Head Start, this is going to help me be able to do what I need to do to move forward in my life,” she says.

For more information on United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Connect4CareKids, visit: United Way’s Connect4CareKids website: UnitedWaySEM.org/get-help/community-resources/connect4care/.

By Jenny Kales
Metro Parent