Parenting Plus
History & Collaboration
Parenting Plus was created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between Ottawa County and the Michigan Department of Social Services. The program, then called the Zero to Five Program, was established to serve low income children county-wide being raised in single parent families.
As the needs in Ottawa County changed, the program shifted to meet those needs. The increasing population of young families with parenting questions and family concerns, along with growing research related to the importance of a child's early years fueled to shift the program focus from child development to parenting education and family support. The name of the program was changed in 1995 to better represent the services offered.
Parenting Plus continues services to county families as a joint venture. Ottawa County funds the services to it's young multi-challenged families and the local Department of Human Services provides the administrative umbrella and office space. Parenting Plus is also involved in collaborative service arangements with Friend of the Court, the Guardianship Services at Family Court and the Family Support Network. Additional contract funding is available through the Michigan Department of Human Services to offer intensive service to those most challenged: those served through the DHS Children's Services Unit and the Family Court.
