Great Start to Quality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Resource Centers Launching for Child Care Businesses and Professionals

Michigan Names Vibrant Futures Great Start to Quality Partner for Regions 4 and 7

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Vibrant Futures, a regional entity with a 30-county presence is now going deeper in 16 counties through the launch of Great Start to Quality (GSQ) Resource Center regionally aligned footprints, effective October 1, 2026. With satellite offices coming soon, the Vibrant Futures GSQ Resource Center will serve Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa counties (Michigan region 4) and Clinton, Eaton, and counties (Michigan region 7).

GSQ is Michigan’s quality recognition and improvement system for early care and education programs. Beginning Oct. 1, GSQ Resource Centers will be aligned with Michigan’s 10 economic development “prosperity regions,” making it easier for partners to coordinate services and support communities across the state. Since 2023, Vibrant Futures has served as the lead agency for Western Regional Child Care Coalition, first covering Barry-Ionia-Kent-Mecosta-Montcalm counties, then expanding in 2024 to serve all of Prosperity Region 4 (counties listed above).

The GSQ Resource Centers will work alongside Regional Child Care Coalitions, Family Child Care Networks, Early Learning Partnerships, and other partners to strengthen support for child care providers, expand access to statewide practice-based coaching and technical assistance, and help communities address local child care needs. As roles continue to evolve, Early Learning Partnerships will also help strengthen connections between families and the early childhood system.

“High-quality early learning begins with strong relationships and support for the educators and providers who serve young children,” said Joan Blough, vice president of Innovation and Evaluation at ECIC. “The Great Start to Quality Resource Centers will bring expertise, coaching, and regional connections together to help providers continuously improve and strengthen the experiences they provide for children and families.”

This work supports Governor Whitmer’s Every Child Reads statewide literacy initiative by strengthening the early learning experiences that help children build foundational language, literacy, and communication skills before they enter kindergarten.

“We are grateful for 53 years of serving childcare businesses and working families, and for our deep, abiding relationships with their teams,” said Chana Edmond-Verley, Vibrant Futures CEO. “We are ecstatic to expand our expertise in strategic partnerships and professional coaching by building our multilayered presence across 30 Michigan counties. As we align systems for greater mutual reinforcement, it is our great privilege to walk alongside childcare professionals on this journey, now in deeper and more meaningful ways.”

Founded in 1974 and long-known as Kent Regional 4C, Vibrant Futures will build on core strengths drawn from 30 years of practice-based coaching experience, 30 years as administrator for the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, and 25 years of offering professional childcare education and credentials.

“Helping childcare professionals achieve greater success in their professional development, in early learning settings, and in their communities inspires and energizes me every single day,” said Tonya Clevenger, Vibrant Futures educator for 25 years and newly appointed GSQ Resource Center director for regions 4 and 7. “We are thrilled to embrace the proven, evidence-based coaching models that help early educators build greater proficiency and develop advanced expertise in their daily interactions with children and families.”

Aligning GSQ Resource Centers with economic development regions promises to leverage investments, increase efficiencies, and facilitate documentation.

“This strategic move to align systems, investments, and data has the potential to catalyze meaningful change in our community,” said Ashanti Bryant, senior program officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. “Growing children and working families, as well as the state’s workforce overall, stand to benefit from more strategic investments in early childhood care and education.”

Childcare business owners have expressed strong support for the new approach.

"In my five-star childcare home, I provide excellent care for 12 precious little children every day,” said Betty Dyson, owner of Betty Dyson Childcare in Grand Rapids. “We care for them and we teach them their colors, numbers, and ABCs, important building blocks for early reading. It will be great to see other early educators improve their teaching skills to give more children stronger starts in kindergarten.”

In Lansing, childcare business owners expressed enthusiasm for Vibrant Futures leadership.

“Tonya is an amazing child care advocate. Each time that I’ve worked with her, she has been patient and resourceful. Her words and tone has always been respectful and kind,” said Tameka Billingslea, owner of Mrs. B’s Daycare. “When asking her to research resources to obtain whatever information needed, she responds promptly. I feel that she truly cares about my concerns and my business overall success!”

“I have gained knowledge from attending professional development trainings, conferences, and receiving food safety information from Vibrant Futures,” said Sharron Cooney, owner of Gare' D' Enfant, caring for children birth to preschool for more than 20 years. “I think the staff is awesome. I am glad to hear I will be working with Vibrant Futures team from region 7.”

In Muskegon, an established childcare business owner is optimistic. “Since the COVID pandemic, attracting and retaining early educators has been a big challenge,” said Lataja Cosse, owner of Divine Minds Family Child Care. “Being able to offer practice-based coaching is likely to attract educators who want to increase their professional expertise in the classroom.”

A suburban childcare center owner sees benefits as well.

“We recently expanded to a second location to serve more families,” said Kayla Smith, owner of Kayla’s Kiddos Childcare in Rockford. “Our families are working two jobs, juggling many responsibilities. Vibrant Futures education and support services help my staff build their skills so they can help children build theirs. As a business owner and an early educator, I greatly value their partnership.”

 

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RELATED NEWS ADVISORY

Vibrant Futures will mark the GSQ Resource Center launchas it hosts its annual Champions for Childcare Summit

8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26

Prince Conference Center

1800 E Beltline Ave SE, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Professional development sessions include teaching with music, intentional classroom design, managing risk, promoting screen awareness, procuring grants, natural playground benefits, sensory-informed care, nurturing little learners, staying positive in a negative world, transforming challenging behavior, and more.

Media professionals are welcome from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

8:30 to 9 a.m.              Networking

9:10 to 10:40 a.m.       First learning block of sessions

10:50 to 11:50 a.m.    Second learning block

noon to 1:20 p.m.        Luncheon keynote with Alicia Guevara Warren. Michigan Early Childhood Investment Corporation CEO

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.         Third learning block

Vibrant Futures creates equitable cradle-to-career opportunities and experiences that hold sacred the vibrant promise and potential in every child, youth, family, and caregiver... to ensure more vibrant futures for all. For 52 years, Vibrant Futures has helped West Michigan families and children achieve greater prosperity through accessible, quality, early care and learning. www.vibrantfuturesmi.org