Early On of Barry County

02/26/2026

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun at play at Hastings Public Library for Family Game Night on Friday, March 13 from 4pm-6pm. The Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force will be providing free parent packs and prizes designed to support families and promote healthy choices. Games and activities will be provided for families with kids of all ages. All children/minors must be accompanied by an adult. This is an afternoon that you won't want to miss!

02/26/2026

02/25/2026

The LEAD program is accepting applications for our Spanish speaking parents. This program is completely in Spanish and it is designed to help Spanish speaking families learn about advocacy and supporting their children with disabilities. Below are the links to the application. We have the application in both English and Spanish but the program will be conducted completely in Spanish.

Here are a few key details about the program:

Dates: Saturday, April 11th and Sunday April 12th (in-person sessions) and 4 virtual sessions (dates to be determined).
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Meals will be provided and A $175 stipend will be provided to those that attend the program. Childcare and transportation assistance is available upon request.
Spanish Application: www.tinyurl.com/LEADPadres26
English Application: www.tinyurl.com/LeadParents26

[Image Description: Program for spanish speaking parents
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is accepting applications for their Program
for Spanish Speaking Parents. This program is for Spanish speaking parents of children with disabilities.
LEAD is a leadership and advocacy development program with a goal to build power within communities of color with disabilities.
The parent cohort begins with a 2 day in person session in Kalamazoo, MI. Followed by FOUR Virtual learning sessions.
Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th, 2026
Meals will be provided.
A $175 stipend will be provided to those that attend the program. Childcare and transportation assistance is available upon request
Parents will learn about:
Disability pride, history, culture, & inclusion
Supporting their child with disabilities
Navigating the special education system
Self-Advocacy & Advocating for their child
To Apply:
Web: https://tinyurl.com/LEADPARENTS26
Email: LEAD@MyMDRC.org
Ph: 517-333-2477
The LEAD Program is funded by the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. End of Image Description]

02/24/2026

We’re hiring! Barry ISD is looking for an Early On Intake Coordinator to support our Special Education team. This role helps connect families with early intervention services by coordinating referrals, scheduling, communication, and data systems. If you’re organized, people-focused, and love meaningful work, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/1069/opening/154096

02/21/2026

When the Nervous System Is Overloaded

An overloaded nervous system happens when stress, demands, and emotions pile up without enough time to reset.

It can look like irritability, overwhelm, emotional outbursts, shutdown, or constant exhaustion.

Thoughts may feel loud, racing, or stuck in worry and urgency.

The body often carries this load through tight shoulders, headaches, shallow breathing, or a racing heart.

For children and adults alike, this state makes it harder to listen, problem-solve, or regulate emotions.

Regulation begins with slowing down and noticing the signals your body is sending.

Simple practices like deep breathing, warmth, hydration, and gentle movement help bring the nervous system back to safety.

Creating predictable routines and reducing sensory input can ease overload.

Connection also plays a powerful role—being seen, heard, and supported calms the body.

Rest is not optional when the nervous system is overwhelmed; it is essential.

When we learn to regulate, we teach ourselves and our children that balance can be restored.

02/21/2026

Teaching Little Lungs Big Calm

Breathing exercises give young children a simple, powerful tool to calm their bodies.

Slow, intentional breaths help shift a child’s nervous system from stress into safety.

When children practice breathing, they learn how to pause instead of react.

These exercises support emotional regulation by lowering heart rate and easing muscle tension.

Breathing together also builds connection and co-regulation between parent and child.

For young children, playful breathing—like blowing bubbles or pretending to smell flowers—makes the skill accessible.

Over time, these practices strengthen self-awareness and coping skills.

Children who learn breathing techniques early are better equipped to handle frustration and anxiety.

Breathing exercises can be used anywhere: at home, in the car, or before bedtime.

This skill helps children feel empowered and in control of their emotions.

Teaching breathing early lays the foundation for lifelong emotional resilience.

02/19/2026

“Am I Safe?” — The Question Beneath the Behavior

Underneath a child’s behavior is often a quiet question: Am I safe?

Children ask this through their actions, emotions, and reactions, not always with words.

Big feelings, clinginess, defiance, or withdrawal are often signals of uncertainty.

Safety for a child means feeling protected emotionally, physically, and relationally.

We reassure them by staying calm, predictable, and present during hard moments.

Getting down to their level, using a steady voice, and offering gentle eye contact sends powerful cues of safety.

Consistent routines and clear boundaries help children know what to expect.

Repairing after mistakes—apologizing, reconnecting, and reassuring—builds trust.

Validation matters, even when we can’t fix the feeling right away.

When children feel safe, their nervous system can relax and learning can happen.

Repeated moments of reassurance teach children they are not alone and never have to face big feelings by themselves.

02/10/2026

Pause, Regulate, Respond

Parenting is rewarding, but it also comes with moments that trigger frustration and tension.

When a parent feels on edge, the natural reaction is often to yell or react impulsively.

But reacting in anger can escalate the situation and impact a child’s sense of safety.

The first step is noticing your own body and emotions—tight shoulders, racing heart, or quickened breath are signs.

Pausing, even for a few deep breaths, gives the brain a moment to shift from reactive to thoughtful mode.

Labeling what you feel internally—“I’m frustrated right now”—helps bring awareness without judgment.

Simple grounding techniques, like pressing feet into the floor or counting slowly, can calm the nervous system.

Once regulated, you can respond with clarity, empathy, and intention rather than frustration.

Children notice the difference between reactive yelling and calm guidance, and it teaches them emotional regulation.

This practice strengthens the parent-child relationship and models healthy coping strategies.

Over time, pausing before responding becomes a habit that reduces conflict and supports emotional growth for the whole family.

02/07/2026

Learning to Be Heard Without Raising Your Voice

It often starts in the kitchen, a tired parent asking for the third time, and a child who seems to hear nothing at all.

The voice gets louder, frustration builds, and suddenly everyone feels dysregulated.

But yelling usually isn’t about discipline, it’s about a disconnect.

Children listen best when they feel seen, not shouted at.

Pausing to move closer, making eye contact, and saying their name can shift the moment.

A calm, steady tone tells a child their nervous system is safe enough to listen.

Short, clear directions land better than rapid-fire instructions.

When feelings are named first, resistance often softens.

Offering simple choices helps a child feel capable instead of controlled.

Over time, calm consistency builds trust and cooperation.

Connection, not volume, is what teaches children how to listen.

02/03/2026

Regulate First, Teach Second

A child’s behavior is often the body’s way of communicating unmet needs.

Hunger, thirst, fatigue, or overstimulation can quickly dysregulate a child’s nervous system.

When biological needs aren’t met, the brain shifts into survival mode.

In that state, listening, learning, and impulse control become much harder.

Before correcting behavior, pause and ask: Is my child hungry, tired, or overwhelmed?

A snack, water, movement, or rest can do more than a lecture ever could.

Meeting basic needs helps bring the nervous system back into balance.

Once the body feels safe, the thinking brain can come back online.

This is when guidance and boundaries actually stick.

Responding this way teaches children to notice and care for their own needs.

Regulation begins with compassion, not correction.



The Contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy

02/02/2026

🥳Registration Open!

We are thrilled to finally open registration for our Play & Learn community. Starting March 5, groups will take place each week on Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 am.

Our Play & Learn groups bring together children with disabilities or who need developmental support and their caregivers in a small, welcoming space. Caregivers connect, children play, and each month a guest expert helps address common questions and concerns.

Space is very limited! Visit https://www.theabilitycollective.org/play-learn for more details (pardon our dust- our website is under construction 🔨)

👶Who: Children 6 mo-7y old who might benefit from extra developmental support or who have a disability, and their caregiver(s)
📍Location: The Ability Collective of Barry County office, 118 W. State St, Hastings, MI
⏰When: 9:30-10:30 am, every Thursday. You will be able to sign up for weeks once you've registered to join the community.
📋Register: We strongly encourage registration. Our space is limited, and we may need to turn families away if we reach capacity. Registration also helps our team prepare for the best experience possible.

Email hello@theabilitycollective.org for questions 🫶

This program is made possible by the generous support of Barry Community Foundation and our community.

02/02/2026

The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is excited to share the launch of our new and improved website.

Please visit Michigan.gov/familycenter

Our new website design includes a brand-new look and layout. It has more information about our core programs and supports, including dedicated pages on:

Community Resources
Peer Support
Learning Opportunities (includes links for upcoming webinars)
Family Engagement
Camp and Conference Scholarships
Current and past editions of the MI Family Connections Newsletter
Sibling Support and Sibshop Grants

We invite you to come browse our website and learn more about the exciting things taking place at the Family Center!