FAMILIES

The new effort brings together local child care providers, families, policymakers and businesses to develop and implement a regional action plan over the next year.

The water safety classes are offered at no cost to children and families throughout Washtenaw County each summer.

United Way of Washtenaw County has granted $50,000 to five local organizations that help women and families maintain financial stability.

United Way of Washtenaw County is releasing $16,000 in grants to three local nonprofits to supplement recent food shortage efforts.

Superintendent of AAPS Jeanice Swift responded to the attacks at MSU.

AAPS is recommending all students, teachers and staff wear face masks for two weeks following winter break.

Community Action Network is running a food and fund drive for local families this holiday season.

Many families will be traveling over the holidays and taking their pets with them for the adventures. If you’re going to be out and about with your furry friend, there are some things you can do to make it safer and more enjoyable for them.

AAPS shares that student and staff absences are increasing as viruses spread.

Families enjoyed a festive evening at Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor ahead of the holidays.

Detroit nonprofit, Caleb’s Kids, partnered with Amazon to put on a holiday event for families who lost a parent to suicide.

On Friday, Nov. 11, Washtenaw Community College will be hosting its annual Veterans Day celebration.

Metro Detroit residents will now be able to access advanced pediatric specialty care at Trinity Health Oakland hospital.

Are you looking to support a local charity over a fun meal? The Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit is hosting its 4th annual house chef challenge on October 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sheri Mark, Chris Gadulka, and Brandon Wright joined Tati Amare on “Live In The D” to discuss the event.

Even though restrictions have pretty much been lifted or lessened, the end of the pandemic hasn’t ended online learning as a good option for parents and kids.

Ann Arbor is the top place to raise a family in the country, according to Fortune Magazine.

The event will take place at Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti.

The Driving Home Food Truck benefit returns to Alpha House in Ann Arbor.

Masks are no longer required at AAPS, except during high risk situations, says superintendent.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor is celebrating its 10th annual fundraiser.

Vet Fest is free and open to all Washtenaw County veterans and their families.

An associate professor of nutritional sciences at U-M explains who has been impacted the most by the nationwide formula shortage -- and why.

United Way of Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation are partnering with a national nonprofit to help families overcome their financial struggles.

Superhero window washers gave patients hospitalized at Mott Children's Hospital a show on Thursday.

Ronald McDonald House in Ann Arbor is welcoming back volunteers.

Attend a family-friendly event for a good cause in Ann Arbor.

Child care centers across Southeast Michigan are getting some extra help from their local Michigan Works! offices amid ongoing staffing shortages.

Students in Ann Arbor Public Schools will start the first week of January learning from home as COVID cases surge locally.

The Rhonda Walker Foundation held their annual Christmas Cares Party, gifting presents and good times to homeless children and families.

Holiday-induced anxiety could trickle down to the overall experience for children, according to new U-M poll.

Ann Arbor Public Schools closed Forsythe Middle School on Wednesday after learning of an earlier incident involving a student.

EMU is opening student apartments to Afghan families in partnership with Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County.

AAPS is allowing high school students to go home for the day after threatening posts emerged online.

AAPS students and their families can get vaccinated against COVID-19 during several upcoming clinics.

Staff at Mott Children's helped patients and their families get into the Halloween spirit.

Hit the ice in costume in Ann Arbor on Halloween.

Swift said the district is looking into the factors that made several schools shift to remote learning recently.

Students gathered on U-M's campus on Sunday to host a family-friendly event.

Carter Todd loves riding in his neighborhood, especially with his new bike.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners aims to ensure equitable futures for Washtenaw County residents with new plan.

Local families are invited to a free event on Friday featuring storytelling by local nonprofit Black Men Read.

Michigan Medicine and Food Gatherers are hosting their fourth food and toiletry drive during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arbor Hospice is in search of volunteers in three counties.

The majority of U-M Ann Arbor students are vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a school update.

Place an order for a delicious food truck dinner to support IHN at Alpha House.

WCC faculty will lead interactive STEAM workshops for local middle schoolers.

A new exhibit at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum invites visitors of all ages to have an immersive STEAM experience.

“Back to school” is going to mean something a little different for each community this year, and experts say it’s important to prepare for what that will look like for your family.

Food Gatherers has distributed millions of pounds of food this past year.

The Olympics are a chance for families to spend some time together as they watch the sports and events.

Ever wanted to rappel down a 14-story building? Now could be your chance.

A group of local parents is trying to find a solution for families in need of childcare this upcoming school year.

Every day for Tiffany Draper began with a touch from her son, Preston.

The city announced its current outdoor pool capacity limits will continue unless staffing increases.

Two virtual schooling options will be available this fall for Ann Arbor Public Schools famlies.

United Ways of Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan grant $20,000 for technology for homeless youth.

U-M's Museum of Natural History will be opening its doors soon with limited hours and reduced capacity.

Reservations for select times between July 1-18 will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Friday.

When schools and daycares shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, many working parents struggled to manage working while taking care of their children.

Join GrieveWell and community members during its annual kite festival.

Food Gatherers will be active on meal distribution sites this summer getting healthy food into the hands of families in need.

Washtenaw County Parks' summer attractions will open in late June.

At 10 a.m. on Friday, discounted tickets to visit the museum at select dates and times in June go on sale.

Washtenaw County will operate a number of pop-up vaccination sites for residents age 12+ throughout May.

Tickets for admission must be reserved in advance to ensure safe social distancing.

You can now sign up your K-8th-grader for virtual summer camp at U-M's Museum of Natural History.

Register to get tested at Huron High School's drive-thru on Saturday.

University of Michigan is running a vaccine clinic for its community, Ann Arbor Public Schools students and families this afternoon.

Support local businesses while celebrating U-M's Spring Commencement.

People protested Sunday outside Pioneer High School, pushing for Ann Arbor Public Schools to allow more students back into the classroom.

AAPS plans to reopen for hybrid learning for grades 4-12 on May 3.

ANN ARBOR – It’s been a long year of closures, and one group that has felt it the most is parents. Luckily, the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum has begun offering reservations for pods of up to 25 people to come and enjoy the beloved children’s museum. How it works:Each pod pays a set price for a group up to 25 people (including babies). To qualify, the registrant must be an EBT or WIC card holder. The card must be shown to museum staff on the day of their reservation.

Most of the parents said that their children learned online from home, using school-provided electronic resources, educational apps and social media. Roughly 35% of parents reported that their children’s behavior changed since the pandemic began, including feelings of sadness, loneliness and depression. Daily schedule disruptions and a lack of access to free and reduced-price meals from school were significant stressors, parents reported. “Research suggests that, unfortunately, the high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among parents remained high through the summer and early fall. Co-authors on the study are U-M doctoral student in psychology and social work, Kaitlin Ward and U-M undergraduate research assistants Kasey Downing and Olivia Chang.

DETROIT – Matrix Human Services announced Tuesday it received over $1 million in grants to fund four multi-generational programs. Matrix says this grant will improve their overall health and nutrition, allowing them to age in place gracefully. Matrix says this grant will go to help adults who seek to become early childhood educators. Seniors interested in participating in this program can contact Matrix Human Services at matrixhumanservices.org. Matrix helps rebuild Detroit’s neighborhoods through the efforts of over 550 employees at more than 50 program locations throughout the city.

ANN ARBOR – More than 350 local physicians and psychologists have signed an open letter and petition to the Ann Arbor Board of Education and Ann Arbor Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift, urging them to reopen schools for students who choose to learn in-person by Gov. “The scientific, health and psychological consensus is clear: It is possible for children and teachers to safely return to school with proper mitigation measures. Ad“My own experience of seeing the devastation caused by school closure among Ann Arbor’s children has been eye-opening and heartbreaking. “It’s time for Ann Arbor to make the rational decision to allow students and families a choice of in-person schooling. AAPS students deserve better.”This is the third letter that Ann Arbor healthcare providers has sent to AAPS and coincides with efforts by parents to reopen the schools due to negative impacts their children are facing during the closures.

Vance: The majority of hospitals changed policies to limit visitation to one parent/caregiver at the bedside. Several hospitals restricted all parents, caregivers and others required that only one parent be designated as the ‘visitor’ for the duration of the hospitalization. I am hopeful that with this statement and the attention it may garner, that hospital administrators review visitation policies to ensure they aren’t overreaching. Vance: The term “essential care” came directly from parents who stated this is how they wanted to be viewed. The specific phrasing of “essential care” is new in this context, but for a long time, there have been many advocates for family-centered care which integrates family involvement.

A member of the Mott Child and Family Life team dressed as an elf delivers presents to a pediatric patient at Mott Children's Hospital. ANN ARBOR – Although the coronavirus pandemic has changed holiday traditions worldwide this year, the annual “bedside toy store” at C.S. This year, members of the Mott Child and Family Life Team played elves and went “shopping” for the perfect gifts patients. A member of staff picks out toys for a family of a hospitalized child at Mott Children's Hospital. Before the pandemic, the holiday store is an event that lasts days and involves 20-30 volunteers who help wrap gifts and stock the shelves.

ANN ARBOR – The annual Rockin’ for the Hungry fund drive by Food Gatherers, ann arbor’s 107one and Kroger raised 49,083 emergency food boxes for residents experiencing food insecurity in Washtenaw County. The final number shattered the initial goal of raising enough funds for 30,000 emergency food boxes. The 5-day fund drive went virtual for the first time this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The emergency food boxes will be distributed by our partner pantries throughout Washtenaw County and each box provides a week’s worth of meals for one person.”Since March, Food Gatherers’ partner agencies have reported a visitor increase of 30%-300% -- nearly half of whom have never had to seek food assistance before. Students from Community High School raised more than $82,000 for this year’s Rockin’ -- their largest-ever gift to the fundraiser.

“And I was at that moment, probably like a lot of us, needing some help.”That is when the Heat and Warmth Fund, or THAW stepped in to help the family. It continues to provide assistance with utility bills to families during difficult times in their lives. “Any season is bad when you can’t afford utilities,” said Brandi Turner THAW Utility Assistance Center Manager. All day Tuesday, Local 4 viewers can help THAW keep the lights and heat on for these families by donating to the Gift of Warmth telethon. To donate to the Gift of Warmth telethon, click here: https://thawfund.org/donate/online/Gift of Warmth telethon: You can donate to help families in needWatch more

Kroger is working to help Michigan families get the food they need during the holiday season and beyond. More coverage: America’s Thanksgiving Parade special section

DETROIT – The COVID-19 pandemic has many families spending more time at home together, and that means more time to play and have fun together. As part of this year’s Help Me Hank toy test, we asked our families to share with us the types of toys and games they find themselves playing more. Part 1: Help Me Hank toy test: Testing 2020′s top toys ahead of the holidays“Pre-pandemic, post pandemic, anytime. She said when the pandemic started in March, it was all about puzzles, books and board games. “We have bought more games, especially games that we can play as a family because we have more time to play games now than we ever did before,” said mom Sarah Mayberry.

Her work here in Metro Detroit and around the world has gotten her recognized by outlets like CNN and People Magazine. Najah Bazzy is a woman who saw a need and is now impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. She started a Zaman International out of the back of her van in 1996 and now it has grown to a 40,000 square foot facility in Inkster. Through a voucher program, women have access to free basic needs like food and clothing. Watch the video to see how Mitch Albom shows us exactly how Najah is helping others in the Heart of Detroit.

Families struggle to determine best options for school this FallIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

For small children experiencing school closures and months without play dates, the experience can be particularly confusing and difficult to grasp. Thats why the University of Michigan School of Public Health created a video for children that provides scientifically accurate information in an engaging way with age-appropriate graphics. Coronavirus is a word people are talking about a lot lately, is how the short video begins with a child narrator. Its creators hope the video will spark constructive conversation about the virus in households with children ages 6 to 11. It also calls young viewers to action to follow public health methods to provide both personal and community protection.

DETROIT A Metro Detroit woman and her friends noticed a group of people who need help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. They do love babies and they say that love inspired their act of kindness. When the crisis hit, Renee Ahee and two of her friends set to work helping Detroits youngest and most vulnerable. Ahee turned to Development Centers in Detroit and its CEO Catherine Liesman. Click here to learn more about Development Centers

Sanford families lose nearly everything due to floods. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. The University of Michigans School of Public Health created a video that can help explain the coronavirus (COVID-19) to children between the ages of 6-11. MORE: Coronavirus in Michigan: Heres where we stand as of Thursday morningThe school released the kid-friendly video to share scientifically-accurate information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic that will keep kids engaged, officials say. The short video -- narrated by a child -- discusses COVID-19 symptoms, how the virus spreads and how to prevent the spread of the virus. The video also touches on the importance of social distancing, even though it can be difficult to isolate from family and friends amid the pandemic. The school is also sharing a family guide with tips for discussing the COVID-19 pandemic with kids.

Some families in Detroit gathered to ring in 2020 before bedtime. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.