Lapeer County Community Collarborative

Lapeer County Community Collaborative

1996 W. Oregon, Lapeer, MI 48446
Telephone: 810-245-3980

Lapeer County Community Collaborative exists for the purpose of bringing Lapeer County together through collaboration, communication and cooperation.

The Lapeer County Community Collaborative is a collaboration of agencies, non-profits and businesses working together in "collaboration" to bring services and aid to Lapeer County Residents.

Vision Statement:




Through communication and cooperation, the collaborative: Seeks to develop a stronger sense of community which transcends organizational and geographical boundaries. Provides and fosters progressive leadership in the community. Plans for the future by continually utilizing community strengths and assets and maximizing the impact of available resources. Strives to provide the most efficient, consumer focuses, cost effective, community service delivery system possible and to minimize duplication of services, while adequately meeting community needs. Endeavors to identify needs within the community which are not being met, and to foster an environment in which each person can improve their quality of life. Strives to increase community awareness regarding human needs and to develop a consensus of priority in meeting those needs through efficient use of available funding.

Board Meetings:




Lapeer County Community Collaborative Board meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. The board meets in the downstairs meeting rooms at the John T. Rich Building (Health Department), 1800 Imlay City Rd., Lapeer, MI.

Contact Information:




Mike Rexin, Director Lapeer Co. Community Collaborative 1996 W. Oregon Lapeer, MI 48446 (810) 245-3980 M_rexin@yahoo.com Michelle Steiner, Director Lapeer County United Way 220 W. Nepessing, Ste. 201 (810) 667-2912 Stephanie Simmons, Vice Chair Lapeer County Health Dept. John T. Rich Building 1800 Imlay City Road Lapeer, MI 48446 (810) 245-5581 ssimmons@lapeercounty.org Beverly Ruber, Secretary Lapeer Co. Community Collaborative 1996 W. Oregon Lapeer, MI 48446 (810) 245-3980 Fax: (810) 664-1011 b_ruber@yahoo.com

Early On:




What is Early On and who is eligible? Early On is designed to help families find health, educational and social services that promote the development of their eligible infants and toddlers within the context of the family. Eligible infants and toddlers include those up to 36 months of age who have an "established condition" (i.e. a diagnosed physical or mental condition with a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay) - or a developmental delay in at least one area: Physical (including hearing and vision) Gross or Fine Motor Communication Cognitive Social/Emotional Adaptive (Self-help) What Services are Provided? Early On services are based on the family's needs and priorities. Most are provided at no cost to the family. Services may include but are not limited to: Screening Evaluation Assessment Service Coordination Physical, occupational and speech therapy Home Visits Nursing services Special Instruction Family Training How do I contact Early On? If you are concerned about your child's development, don't worry, but don't wait. Go to 1800earlyon.org today for more information and to make a referral online. Or you can contact the Early On office located in the Lapeer County Community Collaborative Office at (810) 245-3980.

Detour to Success:




The five local school districts within the Lapeer County Intermediate School District boundaries (Almont, Dryden, Imlay City, North Branch, and Lapeer) notify our program when their district has expelled a student. Typically, at this point, school districts have no obligations to these students. When parents contact us and agree to work with us, individualized student plans of action are developed to: Address the issues that lead to the expulsion Salvage the family/school relationship and Plan for a smooth transition for the student back into the learning environment. If your child has been expelled from school and you are interested in this program, call (810) 245-3991 and talk with our program coordinator regarding your situation.

Great Start:




Children learn more from birth to age three than any other time in life. During this time, what we do matters and will determine the way children learn, think and behave forever. To ensure all children in Michigan have the opportunity for a Great Start and a Great Life, Governor Granholm has launched a state-wide effort to coordinate both public and private efforts to achieve common objectives and measurable results for Michigan' youngest children. Project Great Start encompasses both immediate action and creating a blueprint, or strategic plan, for Michigan's early childhood system of programs, services, and supports for all children from birth to age five. Playgroups The Lapeer County Great Parents Great Start program offers free Parent and Child playgroups for ages 0 to 5. The playgroups are a 90 minute program that meets once a week for 6 weeks. This program is designed for children ages 0 to 5 years of age accompanied by a parent or caregiver who participates in the activities. Children will learn new songs and sing familiar ones, experience the joys of creative movement, and play a variety of musical instruments. Our developmentally appropriate art experiences spark the imagination, allowing children to explore, manipulate and create with a variety or of materials. Unstructured play times introduce children to social give and take and allow parents and caregivers opportunities to enjoy the company of other adults. For more information on the playgroups or other Great Parents Great Start activities, call 1-810-245-3980 or visit our website at www.migreatparents.org and click on Lapeer County on the map.

Lapeer Investing in Families Together (LIFT):




LIFT is the wraparound initiative in Lapeer County. The Wraparound services planning model is an established vehicle for deliver of services to children and families with severe and multiple problems being served by multiple agencies. Wraparound service refers to an individually designed set of services provided to children with serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness and their families that includes treatment services and personal support services or any other supports necessary to maintain the child in the family home. Wraparound services are to be developed through an interagency collaborative approach and a minor's parent(s) or guardian and a minor aged 14 or older are to participate in planning the services. Wraparound services are a particularly effective approach in serving children served by multiple systems. For more information regarding the LIFT program, contact the Lapeer County Community Collaborative office at (810) 245-3980.

Family Focus:




Family Focus Mentors program is designed to serve families who are experiencing difficulties in a variety of different areas. Referrals come from almost any agency that deals with children and families. The goal is to put a plan in place that helps a family work through all the complications that daily living often presents. This is a hands on, non-therapeutic approach that allows a family to breakdown tasks involved and problem solve so that the tasks become more manageable. We utilize a wide array of support which includes a paid program manager and assistance from volunteers who help handle some of the details. Some of the details include transportation, family finances, housing, parenting skills, problem solving, and other case management functions.