Strong Beginnings strives to improve the overall system of care so that everyone in the community benefits, not just families enrolled in program services.

The Healthy Kent “Infant Health Action Team” serves as our Community Action Network to improve maternal-child health, promote father engagement, and eliminate racial disparities in birth outcomes throughout Kent County.  The Infant Health Action Team’s twelve committees address factors that impact infant mortality and family health.  Participation in the Infant Health Action Team is open to anyone with an interest.  For more information on opportunities and meeting times please call the Healthy Kent Executive Director at 616.632.7281.

We also work at the systems level by supporting or participating with the following entities:

Michigan Council for Maternal Child Health (MCMCH) is an organization of diverse partners representing hospital systems, statewide organizations, local public health and individuals, advocating for public policy that will improve maternal and child health outcomes through prevention programs, access to care and adequate funding/reimbursement for providers.

Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance (MiCHWA) seeks to promote and sustain the integration of community health workers (CHWs) into Michigan’s health and human service systems through coordinated changes in policy and workforce development.

Healthy Start is a federal program designed to:

  • Improve health outcomes before, during, and after pregnancy
  • Reduce racial and ethnic differences in rates of infant deaths and negative maternal health outcomes


National Healthy Start Association (NHSA) is the member organization for the over 100 federally-funded Healthy Start grantees around the country. NHSA’s mission is to be our nation’s voice in ways that improve birth outcomes and family well-being.

Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Community Care Initiative. Strong Beginnings is a pilot site for the National Healthy Start Association's AIM CCI to address racial disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity. Multiple resources related to maternal health are available through the AIM CCI website.