Meeting Schedule FY 2012

Executive Director of the KFRC Cathy Benda recieves her award from council Tresurer Lisa Schmierer.

The first few years of life have been pinpointed as the most crucial in development. This year the organization recipient of the Sally Hruska partner in Prevention Award has supported local families with young children since 1991.

It has provided services to parents with children birth through 4 years of age through a variety of programs and collaborations. These programs are a first link to community resources for many families in the Copper Country. Now, 20 years later, this nonprofit organization still runs play groups in the community, home visits by staff trained to help parents with child development and education, as well as parental education and a newly created indoor play center.

With a mission to support, enrich and strengthen family life in the Keweenaw Peninsula by providing a variety of programs which focus on families with children from birth through 4 years the Keweenaw family resource center is the recipient of the 2011 organization partner in prevention award.

Emilie Krznarich is presented with her award by Council Secretary Geri Merkey

Before becoming the director of the Copper Country Great Start collaborative Emilie worked for many years for the Copper Country Intermediate School district in a variety of capacities, teacher, Supervisor, Early On coordinator.

Her advocacy for special needs children and their families and her understanding of what families need have always been a primary concern of hers.  She has continued this work to improve services for all young children in the Copper Country as director of the Great Start collaborative and member of the Superior Child Abuse Council Prevention Council.

As the outgoing executive director of the Great Start collaborative and thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individual donors, Emilie was able to raise $113,669 (and with a match for the first $100,000)  $213,669  will be spent over the next five years for the benefit of children, parents, and families, of which every penny will stay in the Copper Country.

This year’s recipient of the Sally Hruska individual award is Emilie Krznarich

The link for the FY 12 CTF direct services secondary Prevention Request for Proposal (RFP) grant opportunity is http://egrams-mi.com/ctf.  Go to “Current Grants,” and click on
“Direct Services” to access the “DS FY12” grant application. For questions or assistance, contact Sylvia Brown Jones, CTF Direct Service Grant Coordinator at 517-241-7792, or by email at
brown-joness@michigan.gov

Mariah Willmer

Why My special Mom is Special by Mariah Willmer—-Mom’s name Mary—Lake Linden

My mom is special because she spoils me with so much love. You could build a ten story high building with it. My mom is special because she surprisingly has a wonderful sense of fashion. For my birthday she bought me a really cute shirt with peace signs and glitter on it! My care! Thanks to my mom I have straight A’s in school. She helps me study so much that sometimes my brain hurts! My mom is special because she taught me how to ride my bike. That is good because I go bike riding with my friends every once in a while. My mom is special because she understands me. It is almost like my mom is me, because I don’t always have to explain everything that I say. She influences me to read too. I guess that is how I became a bookworm! My mom is special because she comforts me. When I feel sad or mad she makes me feel like nothing ever happened! I can say without a doubt, that my mom is the most special mom in the whole world!

Marli Hietala & Abraham Gockenbach

Why My Mom is Special by Marli Hietala — Mom’s name Lynn — Chassell

My mom is special because she is a great, caring mother. We go on trips because she plans fun ones. She is great with animals, and owns the North Woods Pet Lodge. I am lucky to have a mom like this one. She is loving, fun, and really cool. Why I’m writing about her is she’s the person I want to be with.

My mom is special because of all the things she does to make me happy. She always knows what I need. She is always there for me even when I’m sick. My mom is special because she loves me and I love her too.

Why My Dad is special by Abraham Gockenbach — Dad’s name Mark — Chassell

Why my dad is special is because he did something great for me. It was my anniversary for being here for four years. My dad was happy so he took my brother, sisters and friends plus me to the SDC. We swarm, played basketball, tag and it was so much fun to be there.

After my dad took some of my sisters and friends home to make dinner because some of us were getting hungry. My big brother, Mark, took my friend Jake and my brother and me to the video store and got a movie.

When we got home, my sister and dad were fixing cooked sesame chicken and my dad made fried rice which smelled so good. We ate dinner up in the family room and watched a movie.

After we were done eating my dad got us some chocolate and cookie dough ice cream and the cookie dough was delicious!

My friends went home and we had a lovely time. My dad put us to bed and we went to sleep with good dreams!

Contact: Sara Wurfel
Office: 517-335-6397
Email: wurfels@michigan.gov

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation that allows the state to create and sell heirloom birth certificates with a portion of the revenue going to the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund. The heirloom birth certificates will be sold by the Michigan Department of Community Health as family keepsakes. They are not official birth records. The new law is referred to as the Pam Posthumus Law in recognition of the late Pam Posthumus, wife of former Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus and mother of state Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, who sponsored the bill. Pam Posthumus served on the Children’s Trust Fund board. “This new law is a fitting tribute to Pam’s legacy of advocacy and service on behalf of Michigan’s children,” Snyder said. “She would be delighted to know that this creative revenue source will help the Trust Fund achieve our shared goals of protecting the health, safety and welfare of children across our state.”

House Bill 4258 is now Public Act 28 of 2011.