Families
We are here to support your family every step of the way!
At the NCMC Early Learning Center, we value families as essential partners in our community. Your involvement, ideas, and collaboration are vital in enriching our program and supporting your child’s growth. Together, we create a stronger, more connected learning environment where children thrive.
On this page, current families can easily log in to Brightwheel to access your account, pay tuition, and manage important details.
- Current Family Login Brightwheel
- Access your family account here to pay tuition, view daily communication from ELC staff, view your family's enrollment paperwork, and access the Family Handbook.
Log in to Brightwheel
Access your account, pay tuition, and manage important details.
Brightwheel LoginLinks to parenting resources, and local support organizations
Resources by County
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) provides lists of community resources by county.
Great Start Collaborative Family Resource Guide
Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition has compiled a guide to family resource in Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim counties.
See Great Start's Family Resource Guide
Family Activities in the Community
Great Start Family Coalition Events
Join Great Start Family Coalition for a variety of fun, free events that are open to families with children ages birth to eight.
Browse Family Coalition Events
Hiking, Parks, & Playgrounds
Little Traverse Conservancy
Browse Little Traverse Conservancy's list of featured nature preserves in Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, and Mackinac counties.
City of Petoskey Parks
See a list of public parks located in the City of Petoskey.
City of Petoskey Playgrounds
See a list of public playgrounds in the City of Petoskey.
Explore Petoskey's Playgrounds
Petoskey Area Family Fun
Browse the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau's list of fun family activities.
Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families
The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families (Michigan EITC) is a tax benefit for working individuals with income below a certain level.
Child Tax Credit
Single parents making up to $200,000 annually and married couples making up to $400,000 annually can receive as much as $1,600 per child from the Child Tax Credit, depending on income level. If you have children under 18 who live with you more than half the year, you are likely eligible even if you do not usually file taxes or have low/no earnings.
Learn About the Child Tax Credit
Cash Assistance - Family Independence Program (FIP)
The Family Independence Program (FIP) provides cash assistance to families with dependent children. Individuals who apply and are approved will receive a Bridge Card, which is like a debit card that can be used at many stores and to withdraw cash at ATMs.
The Child Development and Care Child Care Scholarship
The Child Development and Care Child Care Scholarship is a State of Michigan program for income-eligible families. Families can apply online for CDC and other assistance. Please note that the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has announced changes to make it easier for more families to access low—or no-cost child care. Effective February 25, 2024, MiLEAP eliminated the requirement for primary parents to work with the Office of Child Support to qualify for child care scholarship assistance.
Some employers offer Duo Share and Tri Share programs to offset child care costs for their employees. To learn more about this option, contact your Human Resources Department regarding participating in these programs.
NCMC Student Parents are eligible for subsidized child care through the CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) grant funding. Please contact the CCAMPIS Advisor and Activities Coordinator for more information.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides low-income households with benefits to support their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious foods.
Women, Infants & Children Program (WIC)
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federally-funded health and nutrition program serving low- and moderate-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Northmen Den Youth Pantries
Northmen Den Youth Pantries nurtures students by providing food, tutoring, and mentoring services.
Local Food Pantries
Find a listing and description of local food pantries at https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/mi-petoskey.
Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity
Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, serves Emmet and Charlevoix counties, constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes, advocating for fair and just housing policies, and providing training and resources to help families improve their living conditions.
Learn About Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) provides financial and technical assistance to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing.
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) provides a number of services and resources to help individuals and families achieve greater economic security.
Kari's Closet
Located in Charlevoix, Kari's Closet assists low and no income families in need of clothing, shoes, diapers, and more.
Good Samaritan Family Center
Located in Ellsworth, Good Samaritan Family Center provides support and services to pregnant women and mothers of children from infants to age 5.
Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition
Great Start Collaborative & Family Coalition's Family Resource Guide provides a list of helpful family resources available in Charlevoix, Emmet, and Northern Antrim counties.
MSU Extension - Child & Family Development
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension provides programs that help parents, caregivers and other important adults in the lives of children and youth develop important skills.
Learn About MSU Extension Programming
Common Sense Education
Browse 10 free, content-rich websites to help pre-K through 5th-graders learn new skills and build solid foundations in math, science, and reading.
Visit Common Sense Education's Website
Common Sense Media
From media recommendations to internet access for all learners, Common Sense Media provides tools and resources to make media and technology safer, healthier, and more equitable for children.
Visit Common Sense Media's Website
Momtrovert Creative
Momtrovert Creative offers a list of "50 Activities for Kids to do While You Work."
Modern WAH Mom
Modern Work-at-Home Mom offers tips for parents who are working from home.
Local Resources
Char-Em ISD
Char-Em ISD provides resources to help children thrive in various environments while equipping their families to support them on their educational journey.
See Char-Em ISD's Early Childhood Special Education Brochure
See Char-Em ISD's Guide to Special Education Services in the Least Restrictive Environment
Bridges4Kids
Bridges4Kids is a nonprofit organization providing an internet-based system of information and referral for parents and professionals seeking help for children from birth through adulthood.
Emmet County Health & Human Services
Find a list of agencies and contact information available through Emmet County Health & Human Services.
Explore Emmet County Adult & Children's Services
State Resources
Children With Special Needs Fund
The Children With Special Needs (CSN) Fund exists to help families of children with special needs. There are also other statewide resources available to help families with equipment, services, and support.
Michigan Alliance for Families
Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children and young adults who receive special education services.
Visit the Michigan Alliance for Families Website
Grand Rapids Public Schools Special Education Resource Guide
Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) has organized a list of helpful resources related to special education identification, evaluation, eligibility, and IEP process.
National Resources
Oregon State University has organized a list of national resources for parents of children with a disability.
The ELC does not discriminate against children with special needs. Our program has a strong relationship with the Char-Em Early Childhood team. If a concern arises, the ELC program director will contact a child’s family to discuss intervention options. In addition, if you have concerns about your child’s development, please contact your child’s teacher or program director, and they will facilitate the process of working with ISD staff to support your child. The Char-Em ISD employs a team of staff that supports teachers in developing strategies and interventions to strengthen instruction. Staff includes teachers, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, vision consultants, hearing consultants, social workers, and psychologists. In addition to providing support for intervention, staff may also be requested to evaluate children to determine if a child meets Michigan criteria as a child with a disability and needs specialized education and related services.