Western Michigan

Statewide

Fostering Success Michigan

Provides resources and inspiration for youth and alumni of foster care.

A Family For Every Child

Post adoption resources like adoption assistance, college scholarships, employee benefit programs, federal adoption tax credit.

Adoption & Guardianship Assistance Office FAQs

(517) 335-7801 Adoption and guardianship assistance.

Adoption & Guardianship Assistance Office (AGAO)

The Adoption & Guardianship Assistance Office (AGAO) provides financial and medical assistance for eligible adoptive children with special needs and children who enter a juvenile guardianship from foster care. Adoption & Guardianship Assistance Office Suite 612, PO Box 30037, Lansing, MI 48909 Phone: 517-335-7801

Adoption Tax Credit

The adoption tax credit lets families who were in the adoption process claim eligible adoption expenses for each eligible child. Families can apply the credit to international, domestic, private and public foster care adoptions.

Adoptive Families Magazine

Resource and community for adoption parenting.

AdoptUSKids

Support for parents who adopt from foster care - subsidies, services, and training are available to help you during the adoption process and throughout your family’s journey.

BRAINS

3292 North Evergreen Dr Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 365-8920

Building Michigan's Trauma-Informed System for Children and their Families

You will find information about trauma & toxic stress, the impact on health and development and ways to lessen negative outcomes - information from national and state experts that are working to build trauma-informed systems of care for children and their families in Michigan.

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Adoption resources.

Children’s Special Health Care Services

(800) 359-3722 CSHCS strives to enable individuals with special health care needs to have improved health outcomes and an enhanced quality of life through the appropriate use of the CSHCS system of care.

Children's Advocacy Centers of Michigan

CACs offer therapy and medical exams, plus courtroom preparation, victim advocacy, case management, and other services for children who have been abused. A steadfast commitment is shared to get children on the path to healing as soon as possible so they can get back to being kids. Find the CAC that supports children in your county.

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Adoption resources.

Fostering Forward Michigan

Michigan's statewide foster, adoptive and kinship parent coalition. Families working together to achieve better outcomes for the children in their care.

Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The IDEA is a federal civil rights law to protect the rights of children with disabilities who meet requirements for special education services and the rights of their parents.

MDHHS Trauma & Toxic Stress

Find information about trauma and toxic stress, the impact on health and development and ways to lessen negative outcomes - information from national and state experts that are working to build trauma-informed systems of care for children and their families in Michigan.

Michigan 2-1-1

Michigan 2-1-1 connects families with help of all kinds, right in the community - help with food, housing, paying bills, support in a family crisis or community disaster, just to name a few.

Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE)

(800) 589-6273 Statewide information and referral service for families interested in adopting children from foster care.

Michigan Alliance for Families (Special Education Resources)

(800) 552-4821 Provide information, support, and education for families who have children who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services.

Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health

13101 Allen Rd Southgate, MI 48195 (734) 785-7705 x7194 MI-AIMH works across Michigan to promote good infant mental health.

Michigan Department of Education Procedural Safeguards Notice

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Federal law concerning the education of students with disabilities, requires schools to provide parents of a child with a disability with a notice containing a full explanation of the procedural safeguards available under the IDEA and U.S. Department of Education regulations.

Michigan Education and Training Voucher

(877) 660-METV The ETV program allows the state to provide up to $5,000 per year to a student in an accredited post-secondary program.

Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center

2436 Woodlake Circle Okemos, MI 48864 (517) 324-7396 Resources, information and education for children and youth with special health care needs, the families who love them and the professionals who support them.

Michigan Serious Emotional Disturbances Waiver (SED)

Provides services that are enhancements or additions to Medicaid State Plan coverage for children through age 20 with serious emotional disturbances.

Michigan Special Education Law

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal civil rights law that ensures eligible children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Each state must follow the IDEA, and may also create additional laws and rules. In Michigan, those rules are the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE).

MSU Online Child Welfare Courses

MSU offers free courses for anyone involved in child welfare, including adoptive parents.

North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)

Through advocacy, adoption support, leadership development, and education, NACAC works to ensure all children in foster care have permanent, loving families and adoptive families have the support they need.

Resiliency Center for Families and Children

Located at Western Michigan University 1000 Oakland Dr Kalamazoo, MI 49008 (269) 387-7000 Serving children who have experienced trauma or been abused or neglected, children with disruptive behaviors or dysregulation, children with mental health disorders, anxiety or depression.

SED Waiver Information

Get answers to the following questions. What is a Serious Emotional Disturbance Waiver (SEDW)? What are the criteria to receive a SEDW? What screening tools are used to diagnose a SED and determine SEDW eligibility? Who oversees SED waivers? How do families apply for a SEDW? Who is responsible for SEDW service coordination? How are a child’s service needs determined? Can individuals continue to receive SEDW services after the age of 18?

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

Improves access to care, treatment, and services for traumatized children.

Tuition Incentive Program

Call 1-888-4GRANTS for eligibility requirements.

Styles 4 Kidz

The Need: Multiracial, transracial adoptive, and foster families lack the tools and knowledge to care for their child’s textured hair. The Solution: Families are supported through Styles 4 Kidz programs, equipping them with the tools and resources to care for their child’s hair.

Allegan

Community Mental Health (OnPoint)

540 Jenner Dr Allegan, MI 49010 (888) 354-0596 or (269) 673-0202 (24hr line) Services provided to people with mental illness, a developmental disability, and their families.

DHHS

3255 122nd Ave Ste 300 Allegan, MI 49010 (269) 673-7700 Food, childcare, healthcare, and emergency relief.

Mosaic

340 104th Ave Holland, MI 49423 (616) 403-1687 Resource for adoptive, foster, and kinship families. Support groups, clothing and book co-op, movie nights, resource lending library, mentoring, wrap around support, moms nights out, dads nights out, book clubs, and trainings.

Berrien

Community Mental Health (Riverwood Center)

1485 M139 Benton Harbor, MI 49022 (269) 925-0585 (24hr line) Behavioral health.

DHHS

401 8th St, PO Box 1407 Benton Harbor, MI 49023 (269) 934-2000 Food, childcare, healthcare, and emergency relief.

Cass

Cass County Resource Guide

The Great Start Collaborative of Cass County has put together this resource guide with a diverse range of resources.

Community Mental Health (Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network)

960 M-60 East Cassopolis, MI 49031 Access/Intake: (269) 445-2451 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: (800) 323-0335 Behavioral healthcare.

DHHS

325 M-62 Cassopolis, MI 49031 (269) 445-0200 Food, childcare, healthcare, and emergency relief.

Kent

Community Mental Health (Network 180)

790 Fuller Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 336-3909 or (800) 749-7720 (24hr line) Behavioral healthcare.

DHHS

121 Franklin SE, Ste 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49507 (616) 248-1000 Food, childcare, healthcare, and emergency relief.

Muskegon

Community Mental Health (HealthWest)

376 E Apple Ave Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 724-1111 (24hr line) Behavioral healthcare.

DHHS

2700 Baker St, PO Box 4290 Muskegon Heights, MI 49444 (231) 733-3700 Food, childcare, healthcare, and emergency relief.

Hackley Community Care

Multiple locations within Muskegon Baker St, Leahy St, Clinton St, E Apple Ave (231) 724-1335 Behavioral healthcare, including trauma therapy and sensory-based services.

Kid's Belong

(616) 510-7051 Resource for adoptive and foster families. Coordinate a weekly support group for adoptive and foster families.

Pathfinders of Muskegon

2603 Leahy St Muskegon Heights, MI 49444 (231) 830-3221 ext. 2338 Resource for families; promotes educational success in children and youth.

Ottawa

Community Mental Health

12265 James St Holland, MI 49424 (616) 842-HELP (4357) 24hr Line Grand Haven (616) 396-HELP (4357) 24hr Line Holland (866) 512-HELP (4357) 24hr Line All Other Areas Behavioral healthcare.

Department of Public Health Local Resources

Medical care, education & counseling, suicide prevention, substance abuse, food, dental, health care coverage, prescriptions, medication disposal, vision service, hospital bills.

DHHS

12185 James St, Ste 200 Holland, MI 49424 (616) 394-7200 Food, childcare, healthcare, and emergency relief.

Mosaic

340 104th Ave Holland, MI 49423 (616) 403-1687 Resource for adoptive, foster, and kinship families. Support groups, clothing and book co-op, movie nights, resource lending library, mentoring, wrap around support, moms nights out, dads nights out, book clubs, and trainings.

Van Buren

Community Mental Health

Multiple locations. See website for location closest to you. (269) 657-5574 or (269) 637-5297 (800) 922-1418 (24 hr hotline) Behavioral healthcare.

DHHS

57150 CR 681 Hartford, MI 49057 (269) 621-2800 Food, childcare, healthcare, and emergency relief.

Van Buren County Resource Guide

A guide of services provided to residents of Van Buren County.