First Steps Kent is an independent nonprofit leading a community-wide effort to build a comprehensive early childhood system in Kent County, Michigan.
The RAPID Survey Project and First Steps Kent have partnered to listen to Kent County’s families with young children about their experiences, the support they need, and what’s going well. First Steps Kent will use these data to inform its annual investments and community partner initiatives.
About the RAPID-Kent County Community Voices Survey: First Steps Kent worked with local partners to recruit parents with young children. The parents who completed the survey were paid for their time. The findings represent 1,822 parents with young children in Kent County who shared their experiences with material hardship, healthcare visits, child care options, and adult and child well-being between April 2022 and May 2023.
First Steps Kent brings together parents, providers, and other stakeholders to research, advocate, and innovate so that we can achieve our community vision: every young child in Kent County will enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school and in life. Children served: 45,000 kids under age six in Kent County
Community partners: — El Vocero — Family Futures — Head Start of Kent County — Hispanic Center of West Michigan — Healthy Homes Coalition — KConnect — Kent District Library — Kent ISD — Corewell Health — Together West Michigan — Vibrant Futures
Material hardship is on the rise
The percentage of households that reported experiences of material hardship has continuously increased. Parents reported an increase in hardship across housing, healthcare, child care, and utilities.
Material hardship rates varied by race and ethnicity. Specifically, 97% of Latinx, 92% of Black, and 67% of White Kent County households experienced at least one form of material hardship in May 2023.
Between November 2022 and May 2023, the percentage of households that reported experiences of material hardship increased from 48% to 85%.
“It is basically impossible to find a fully staffed or adequately staffed daycare center that can provide appropriate, individualized care for infants and toddlers now that doesn’t have a 1–2 YEAR waiting list” Parent in Forest Hills
“Working from home, our child’s preschool, and Ages and Stages Questionnaires [are helping the most right now].” Parent in Grandville
“I’d say parenting and play groups [are helping the most right now]. Connection is so valuable to us.” Parent in Grand Rapids
Trend of material hardship over time, all participants
Healthcare visits are back on track
The percentage of households surveyed that reported delayed healthcare and missed well-baby checkups decreased from late 2022 to early 2023.
“Two people working full time with degrees in their field should not be struggling to put a meal on the table.” Parent in Walker
“We need high quality, affordable child care. This should not take the form of increasing ratios – it’s a joke that a caregiver could take care of 4 newborns as it is. It could take the form of subsidies when people have to use high-cost options like nannies since there are no available centers.” Parent in Northview
“[Our biggest challenges are] maternal health following high risk birth; adjusting to [a] new baby.” Parent in Grand Rapids
“The programs for early childhood in Kent County have been extremely helpful as first-time parents.” Parent in Grandville
Parent’s and children’s delayed care/missed visits, all participants
Increased use of various forms of child care
The number of households using non-parental child care has increased by 43 percentage points since May 2022. This increase in the use of non-parental child care was consistent across racial groups. Between late 2022 and early 2023, there were changes in the types of non-parental child care that families were using. The use of center-based and home-based care decreased, while both paid and unpaid Family, Friend, or Neighbor (FFN) care increased.
Use of non-parental care, all participants
High concern about child emotional well-being
Overall, parents reported high levels of concern about child emotional well-being: 54% of Kent County parents (48% nationally) reported their child(ren) were showing emotional distress like fear or anxiety.
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58% of Kent County parents (73% nationally) reported their child(ren) were acting fussy or defiant.
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57% of Kent County parents (49% nationally) reported concerns about their child(ren)’s learning and development.
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53% of Kent County parents (49% nationally) reported concerns about their child(ren)’s behavior
On average, Kent County parents experiencing material hardship had higher levels of concern about their child(ren)’s emotional well-being than parents who reported no material hardship.
Note: We ask caregivers to report how much the phrase “fussy or defiant” and “too fearful or anxious” fits their child’s behavior.
Summary and next steps
Although it’s a positive sign that missed and delayed healthcare visits are decreasing, the high rate of material hardship among Kent County families is an ongoing concern. Parents who were experiencing material hardship were also more likely to have a higher level of concern about their children’s emotional well-being, meaning there is a need to ensure families receive early and necessary support.
The disparities within the data also emphasized the importance of reaching families with the most needs through initiatives that promote inclusive outreach and programming that is welcoming to all families. The documented needs of Kent County families predicate the importance of continued investment in early childhood programming that supports early social-emotional health, family well-being, and quality learning opportunities for children.
The community’s continued support of the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage is one way to ensure the youngest residents are healthy and ready to learn when they enter school.