Family-engagement event planned under Strong Beginnings grant; Kendra Miller outlines services

Kendra Miller, the family liaison who works across Boyne City and East Jordan, described the Strong Beginnings three-year-old classroom and a planned family-engagement weekend funded by a family engagement regional center grant. Miller said the event is free and will include community vendors, interactive wellness stations, a farm-to-table meal and short classes with community partners; registration will gather attendee questions to shape panel discussions.

"Our mission statement for the event is to empower families to build wellness through intention, meaningful connection, and shared community support," Miller said. She told the board she works with 14 families in each district building and that the grant budget was approved by the regional center; administrators noted the board will be asked later in the meeting to receive a $1,000 grant to support the work.

Board members asked how families are identified for services; Miller said she stays connected with classroom teams and provides contact information to all families she serves. The district indicated it will consider the grant in the action items later in the meeting.