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Family Resources

This page provides resources for your family. If you are in need of other resources not listed, please reach out to your child’s CDL site.

  • The Lansing FORT Program (families overcoming rough times) may be able to help! The McKinney-Vento Act protects families with children experiencing homelessness. You can request support services at
  • CADL Family Needs Assistance: Do you need assistance obtaining things like utility bills, identification, housing, food, or medical insurance? In partnership with Advent House, the Downtown Lansing Library is hosting a free support session for families to meet with representative 1-1 to receive assistance for their personal needs.  Fridays from 10-3
  • CACS rent, housing, utilities, tax services, and senior assistance https://cacs-inc.org/ or 517-393-7077
  • Helping children during times of stress - Download PDF
  • How to nurture your child’s social-emotional health - Download PDF
  • PBS: Visit www.Pbskids.org to sign up for daily newsletters that offer activities and tips you can use to help kids play and learn at home.
  • PBS Learning Media: Nature Nuggets are minute-long videos from the NATURE series, repackaged for early learners (ages 2 to 6).
  • Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari: Join the Cincinnati zoo for live and interactive experiences with the animals.
  • Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems: Join children’s author and author Mo Willems as he teaches children to draw beloved characters such as Pigeon, Elephant, and Piggie! This interactive experience is available on the Kennedy Center Facebook page or https://www.kennedy-center.org/
  • Storyline Online: Storyline provides recorded children’s books free for families to listen and watch. Visit storylineonline.net/ to read a book.
  • BookFlix: Visit BookFlix to read along with children’s stories on your computer, phone, or tablet. Some books are available in Spanish as well.
  • Scholastic: Visit www.scholastic.com/learnathome for learning experiences built around your child’s grade level. This resource is free with the credentials listed below.
  • Username: Learning20
    Password: Clifford
  • National Geographic Kids: Visit www.Kids.nationalgeographic.com to explore animals and science experiments.
  • Audible Stories: Visit https://stories.audible.com/start-listen for free audiobooks, they can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across eight different languages.
  • CADL Tales: A show for kids that features library staff reading stories, singing songs and conducting fun activities. Visit https://www.cadl.org/cadltales.
  • Helping children during times of stress - Download PDF
  • How to nurture your child’s social-emotional health - Download PDF
  • Early On: Early On is Michigan’s system for supporting children ages 0-3 and their families who have developmental delay(s), disabilities, or are at risk for delays to certain health conditions.Families can start the referral process at https://1800earlyon.org/page.php?id=3 or call 1-800-327-5966
  • Build Up Michigan: If you have a concern that your child has a delay that is affecting their learning, you can visit www.buildupmi.org to connect with your local coordinator.They will explain the resources available and help determine support for 3-5 year olds.
  • Local District: Families can also link up with their local school district’s special education coordinator for support and evaluations within their home district.
  • If you cannot afford child care, payment assistance may be available through the Child Development and Care (CDC) Program. Apply via Mi Bridges https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/child-care-assistance
  • GSRP and Head Start: The Child Development Labs partner with programs offering tuition free preschool.There are income and residency guidelines that may determine a child’s eligibility. Apply at www.michiganpreschool.org
  • MSU CDL accepts tuition assistance programs from employer-paid-assistance as well as assistance from colleges and universities (such as LCC and MSU).