Parent Liaison
Connecting families to community resources and supporting parent-teacher collaboration.
a Parent Liaison Can Help
Have a question about the school or your child’s academics?
Resources
Wondering about activities or resources that are available?
Need help finding childcare?
Need to connect with Department for Health and Human Services for a Bridge card, insurance, or other supports?
Insecurity
We help ensure stability and support for students and families without a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
Health
Need help connecting with a counselor, psychologist, or other mental health professional?
Meet Us
Beth Morey
Beth is starting her third year as a Parent Liaison for Jenison Public Schools. Prior to this, Beth spent 11 years as a speech pathologist in Grand Rapids and 12 years as an SLP with Jenison’s ASD program. Beth graduated from Western Michigan University with a major in Speech Pathology and minors in Spanish and Elementary Education. She received her M.A. in Speech Pathology from Eastern Michigan University. In her spare time, Beth loves spending time with her family, boating, and reading. Beth provides support to Bauerwood, Bursley, Rosewood, JIA, and the High School.
Mary Veldink
Mary is starting her fifth year as a Parent Liaison for Jenison Public Schools. Prior to being a Parent Liaison, Mary spent 25 years teaching third grade. Mary graduated from Hope College with a degree in elementary and special education. Her Master’s Degree is from Cleveland State University where she focused on Early Childhood Special Education. Mary loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, and playing pickleball.
Mary provides support to El Puente, Pinewood, Sandy Hill, the Junior High and the ECC.
Opportunities for Families
October 2021
Family Fun:
- Attention Teens! The Georgetown library has a new teen program on Mondays from 3:30-5:00. It starts October 11th. Teens ages 13-17 are invited to spend their after school time at the library. Each week they will have board games, video games, craft supplies, snacks, and more available to teens to enjoy. They will also have special craft days, movie days, and even pizza days. This is a drop-in program so no registration is required and teens may arrive/leave anytime during the program. See the flyer for more information.
- Annual John Ball Zoo Goes Boo! Weekends starting October 15th. You can get more information and reserve tickets at Zoo Goes Boo!
- Apple Picking: It’s a great time to get outside and pick apples! GR Kids has some awesome ideas for the best picking spots in West Michigan!
- Looking for the perfect pumpkin? Check out 24 different Pumpkin Patches and tips on how to carve the best pumpkin!
Educational Opportunities:
- GVSU K-12 Connect: Offering free tutoring services and homework help to students in grades K-12. See the link for more information and to sign up.
- Early Childhood: The Jenison Early Childhood Center (ECC) has a new facebook page! Check out the Facebook link for everything going on in early childhood!
- Sibshops: Brothers and sisters of children with special needs now have a group that’s just for them. Sibshops are peer support groups that offer an engaging space for siblings to be heard, understood and supported. See the flyer for dates and more information.
- Engaging Kids in Discipline: Arbor Circle is offering a free 5 week series starting October 21st on understanding discipline and how we engage kids in learning. See the flyer for more information.
- Depression / Bipolar /Anxiety Support: Fairhaven church in Jenison is offering a free DBSA support group on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. See this flyer for more information.
- Nurturing parent class: Join us for this FREE 10-week series for parents and caregivers! Classes will cover a variety of topics including discipline, communications, child development, and problem-solving. This fun and informative class is for parents or caregivers with kids of any age. Zoom link will be provided after registration. Nurturing Parent Information / Registration
Community Resources:
- Hearing and Vision Screening: The Ottawa County Health Department is offering free vision and hearing screenings for children ages 3-5. Please see the flyer to sign up!
- Dental Care: Miles of Smiles offers free dental care for children 0-20 years of age who have medicaid or are uninsured and live or go to school in Ottawa County. See the attached flyer to find out more!
- Home Buyer Education: Community Action House is offering free 2-week Home Buyer Education classes in October and November. See the flyer for more information and to sign up!
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program is an opportunity for eligible households to receive one monthly benefit in the form of a discount of up to $50/month on eligible fixed or mobile broadband services and associated equipment for participating providers. Please see the attached flyer for more information on the program.
- Heat and Energy Program: TrueNorth Community Services’ emPower Heat and Energy Program assists people struggling to afford their utility and deliverable fuels in Michigan – Apply today!
- Emergency Utility Program: Local Community Action Agencies across Michigan provide help with utilities, weatherization, and emergency assistance. Locate a participating agency near you or create a MI Bridges account and search for Utility Service Payment Assistance resources.
Immediate help may be available if you are facing conditions of extreme hardship or emergencies threatening your health and safety. See MiBridges for more information or to sign up. - Housing assistance resources for renters and landlords: The COVID-19 pandemic has created economic uncertainty in the lives of those we serve – particularly in their housing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a new website that allows renters and landlords to find information on rental assistance in their area. This assistance can cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs to help keep residents in their homes. The website offers resources in English and Spanish. Click on the links for more information: Rent and Utility Assistance Utility Bills
- Double Up Food Bucks: You can get up to $50 in FREE produce through the Double Up Food Bucks when you make purchases with your Bridge Card or Pandemic EBT student food benefits at participating Farmers Markets. See www.westmichiganfarmmarkets.com for a listing of Farmers Markets. The DUFB match is up to $50 a day this year. Farmer’s Markets Accepting Bridge Cards – Double Up Food Bucks Flyer – Farmers accepting Bridge Card
November 2021
Looking for some outdoor fun? Check out these links for information on Millenium Park and other Amazing Parks and Playgrounds in West Michigan.
- Home Buyer Education: Community Action House is offering free 2-week Home Buyer Education classes in October and November. See the flyer for more information and to sign up!
- Double Up Food Bucks: You can get up to $50 in FREE produce through the Double Up Food Bucks when you make purchases with your Bridge Card or Pandemic EBT student food benefits at participating Farmers Markets. See www.westmichiganfarmmarkets.com for a listing of Farmers Markets. The DUFB match is up to $50 a day this year. Farmer’s Markets Accepting Bridge Cards – Double Up Food Bucks Flyer – Farmers accepting Bridge Cards
Ongoing
- FREE COLLEGE –Michigan residents 25 and older who don’t have a college degree can now apply for funding to cover community college tuition costs or skilled trades training scholarships. Click here for more information or to apply.
- Community Action House offers Financial Wellness WORKSHOPS that provide courses, services, and counseling at no cost to community members for home buying education, financial capability, and foreclosure intervention.
- Looking for outdoor fun for your family? There is a new interactive nonmotorized trail map which features 4,600 miles of trails.
- Resilience offers resources for helping to end domestic violence. Many services are being offered virtually. Check out the website to get connected or call the 24 Hour Help Line at 1-800-848-5991 for free and confidential support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
- The Fresh Guide to EBT answers all of your questions related to food stamps in Michigan. And best of all, the Fresh EBT app for Iphone and Android helps you keep track of all of your EBT information right on your phone.
Classifieds
Needed
Clothing
- Gently used Boy’s clothing sizes 6-14
Infant Supplies
- Size 6 Diapers – order through the Amazon Wishlist
- Gentlease formula, and soy formula
Services
- Auto Repairs
Other
- $10-$20 gas cards
- washer and dryer
Available
Appliances
Furniture
- Twin Size Mattress
Services
- Love In Action Free Health Clinic
- Free Mental Health Supports through Be Kind to Your Mind
- Mental Health Resource Guide
- Suicide Prevention Resources
Personal Care / Food
- hair cuts
- Hygiene Pantry at Sunrise Ministries (7754 28th Ave.) 3rd Wed. of the month 7-8pm
- Food Pantry at Jehovah Jireh
Do you have have items or services to add to the list?