To the editor:
I was on a work call recently where regional child wellness agencies described services provided families and parents who face challenging behaviors with and/or who have questions about their young child’s development. All agree that the earlier a child’s developmental delays are identified, the more effective the interventions can be and the greater likelihood of having a healthy child, ready to handle kindergarten, and other emotional and social issues.
The services and programs they described seemed to all have varying thresholds and confusing qualifications for actual parent participation. Are you on Medicaid? What is your family income? Is your child between 0 and 3? How severe is your child’s developmental struggles?
I talked about Parenting Communities administered by the Benzie/Leelanau Health Department and funded for the past five years through a county millage. Parenting Communities is a voluntary program for all Leelanau families and children 0-6. It provides a welcoming, safe venue for parents to discuss challenges, seek advice, schedule more personal home visits and obtain screenings for vision, dental, mental, and emotional health of their child. One stop shopping for all Leelanau families.
The other participants on the call were impressed and a bit jealous. We should be proud.
Hon. Marian Kromkowski Leelanau Probate/Family Court Judge
