Networks Northwest Named Host of Great Start to Quality Resource Center for Northwest Michigan

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2026

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TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Networks Northwest is the new host of the Great Start to Quality Northwest Resource Center, which supports child care providers and families across the ten counties of northwest Lower Michigan. The change took effect October 1, following a competitive statewide selection process led by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) with funding from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).

Great Start to Quality is Michigan’s quality recognition and improvement system for early care and education. Its regional Resource Centers give child care programs and educators individualized coaching, training, and professional networking, and help families find child care and preschool options. Networks Northwest is one of seven organizations selected to operate the state’s 10 Resource Centers, which are aligned with Michigan’s 10 economic development regions.

Providers and families will continue to work with the same people. The Resource Center’s coaches and specialists are now part of Networks Northwest and will continue to serve Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford counties. After a period of transition, the move gives the Resource Center a stable, long-term home in the region it serves, backed by Networks Northwest’s leadership and organizational support.

“Child care is an essential industry, and the rest of our regional economy is built on it,” said Janie McNabb, CEO of Networks Northwest. “Child care providers are small businesses and educators, and our region cannot thrive unless they succeed. Hosting the Resource Center lets us put our whole organization behind them.”

The Resource Center joins Networks Northwest’s Child Care Initiatives department, alongside the Family Child Care Networks, the PreK for All Home-Based Pilot, the Regional Child Care Coalition, and the Early Education Wage Initiative. The department focuses on supporting child care providers and the quality of care they offer. The brain development and social-emotional learning that happen in quality child care settings lay the foundation for the region's future skilled workforce.

Child care providers and families can reach the Great Start to Quality Northwest Resource Center at 877-614-7328 or find contact information for their county’s coach at greatstarttoquality.org/northwest-resource-center. To learn more about Networks Northwest’s child care work, visit nwm.org/childcare.