BY ANTHONY RIZZO
Tuition-free preschool applications for Federal and State programs are now available for families in Charlevoix, Emmet and Antrim counties.
In the past, parents would have to fill out several applications to different programs for their children.
In a collaborative effort with Head Start, Great Start Readiness and other tuition-free programs, the joint application allows parents to apply for all programs at the same time.
Marcia Campbell is the Program Manager of the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District.
"We collaborate together. Not all areas do collaborative applications. Some areas do Head Start applications and the Great Start Readiness applications separately. For Charlevoix-Emmet and northern Antrim, we've collaborated and condensed two applications into one. That way when parents apply, they're considered for all the tuition-free preschools." Campbell said.
Parents residing in those counties with children age three or four by November first are encouraged apply.
Application appointments are being scheduled throughout March and April.