Early On

Early On® is an IDEA mandated initiative designed to provide unduplicated, comprehensive services to eligible infants and toddlers and their families. RESA collaborates with other Wayne County human service agencies in the delivery of services and acts as the fiscal agent for the nearly $2.5 million in Early On® funds.

Making a Referral

To make a referral for Early On, please do one of the following:

Early On Agencies

MiSide

Cathy Liesman, CEO
17321 Telegraph
Detroit, MI 48219
(313) 255-0900
(313) 255-5681 – fax
[email protected]

Beth Stanley, Early On Manager
ICC Executive Board Secretary
Early Childhood & Family Services
17321 Telegraph
Detroit, MI  48219
(313) 255-0900 ext. 2125
(313) 591-4168
(313) 255-3594 – fax
[email protected]

Pam Weaver, MI Early Years Director
Early Childhood & Family Services
(313) 255-0900 ext. 2114
[email protected]

Chitter Chatter, PC

Suha Farhoud
23663 Park Street
Dearborn, MI 48124
(313) 689-5188
(313) 778-5188
[email protected]

Jacqueline Jaber, CEO
23663 Park Street
Dearborn, MI 48124
(917) 535-2525
[email protected]

School Districts

Detroit Public Schools Community District

Lohren Nzoma, Assistant Superintendent
Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
Fisher Building- 9th Floor-West
3011 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 900
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 873-7740
(313) 494-0998 - fax

Shari Kelly, Intake Coordinator
Early Intervention Diagnostic Center 
4555 John C Lodge
Detroit, Michigan 48201
(313) 263-2862
(313) 494-0998 – fax
[email protected]

Dr. Kyana Smith, ESE Lead Administrator (Birth-5)
Early Intervention Diagnostic Center 
4555 John C Lodge
Detroit, Michigan 48201
(313) 509-6150
(313) 494-0998 - fax
[email protected]

Darlene Byrd, Intake Coordinator
Early Intervention Diagnostic Center
4555 John C Lodge
Detroit, Michigan 48201
(313) 263-2863
(313) 494-0998 - fax
[email protected]

Ericka Davis, Supervisor
Early Intervention Diagnostic Center
4555 John C Lodge
Detroit MI 48201
[email protected]

Livonia Public Schools

Maegan Sprow, Special Education Director
15125 Farmington Road
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 744-2615
(734) 744-2574 – fax
[email protected]

Katie Dodge, Supervisor
Jackson Early Childhood Center
32025 Lyndon
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 744-2813 ext. 22990
(734) 744-2814 - fax
[email protected]

Lisa Schwartz, Early On Coordinator
32025 Lyndon
Livonia MI 48154
(734) 306-1388
[email protected]

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Stefanie Hayes, Executive Director
454 S. Harvey
Plymouth, MI  48170
(734) 582-6807
[email protected]

Milestones Early On

Kitty Hjelmroth, Supervisor
11100 N. Haggerty 
Plymouth, MI 48170
(734) 582-6974
[email protected]

Grosse Pointe Public School System

Kristen P. Boucher, Early Intervention Specialist
20090 Morningside
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
(313) 432-5561
[email protected]

Milestones Early On

Lisa Dougherty, Special Education Supervisor
20090 Morningside 
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236
(313)432-5670
(313)432-3852 – fax
[email protected]

Redford Union Schools DHH

Redford Union Schools DHH

Robyn Stern, Supervisor
27100 Bennett RdRedford MI 48240
(313) 242-3510
[email protected]

Redford Union Schools DHH

Julie Touchberry, TC for the Hearing Impaired
(313) 242-3525
(313) 242-3510
[email protected]

Wayne-Westland Community Schools

Mona Mallad, Sr Exec Director of Special Education
Wayne Memorial High School
3001 Fourth StreetWayne, MI 48184
(734) 419-2071
[email protected]

Deborah Sullivan, Early On Intake – ICC Chair
3001 Fourth St. Wayne, MI 48184
(734) 419-2646
(734) 595-2629 – fax
[email protected]

Dennis McBride, Director of Special Education
Wayne Memorial High School Annex
3001 Fourth Street
Wayne MI 48184
[email protected]

Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Trenton Public Schools

Andrea Thorn, Director of Special Education
2601 CharletonTrenton MI 48183
(734) 676-3515
[email protected]

Melissa Behnan, DHH Director
2601 CharltonTrenton MI 48183
(734) 682-4581
[email protected]

Woodhaven-Brownstown School District

Matt Salah, Special Services Director
22650 Sibley Road Brownstown, MI 48193
(734) 783-3322
(734) 281-3761 – fax
[email protected]

Irene Miekis, Supervisor
22650 Sibley Road Brownstown, MI 48193
(734) 783-3322
[email protected]

Jennie Everet, Intake Coordinator
(734) 558-9653
[email protected]

Parent Representatives

Carol Matthews, ICC Parent Representative
[email protected]  

Jacqueline Golden
[email protected]

Muzna Sarwar, ICC Parent Representative
[email protected]

Rolonda Blackmon
[email protected]

Sabrina Claude McGahee
[email protected]

Emily Spotts
[email protected]

Salina Mann
[email protected]

Rebecca Reilly
[email protected]

Community Representatives

Courtney Barnes, Michigan Alliance for Families
(734) 363-8220
[email protected]

Dara Wilson, Michigan Alliance for Families
(313) 355-3610
[email protected]

Khalilah Montgomery, The ARC NW Wayne County
(313) 532-7915 x 200
[email protected]

Dr. LaShorage Shaffer, University of Michigan Dearborn
(313) 593-5092
[email protected]

Matrix Head Start Program

Cristal Claussen, Children Services Director
1400 Woodbridge Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 962-5255 x 1620
[email protected]

Marisol Hermosillo, Disability Supervisor
(313) 962-5255 x 1690
(313) 717-5112

Ruby Jones, Assistant Disability Supervisor
(313) 962-5255 x 1695
(313) 854-2438
[email protected]

Rhonda Newson, MSM/Disability/Mental Health Mgr & Trauma Smart Facilitation
(313) 308-8030 ext 2323
[email protected]

The Order of the Fisherman Ministry Head Start

Shinia Malloy, Education/Disability Manager
10047 Grand River Detroit, MI 48204
(313) 933-0300 ext 140
[email protected]

Tameka Dwyer, Exec Director
(313)-933-0300 ext 110
[email protected]

Starfish Family Services

Lindsey Lockhart, Infant and Early Childhood Developmental Services Manager
30000 Hiveley St
(517) 599-0090
[email protected]

Jennifer Jonika (Alt Rep)
30000 Hiveley StInkster MI 48141
[email protected]

United Children and Family Head Start

Angela Dunklin, Early Childhood Education/Disability Service Specialist
9641 Harper Avenue Detroit, MI 48213
(313) 432-1000 x228
[email protected]  

Yvette Sharpley, Health/Mental Service Specialist
(313) 432-1000
[email protected]

Kimberly Ogletree, Site Operations Manager
(313) 613-7944

The Guidance Center

Michele Lopez,  Early Head Start/Disability Specialist
18800 Walnut Street
Southgate, MI 48195
(734) 785-7705 x 7157
(734) 282-5546 – fax
[email protected]

Genie Lewis, Infant Mental Health
2200 Dalsas AveRoyal Oak MI 48067
(734) 237-5760
[email protected]

Great Start Collaborative-Wayne

Laketa Thompson, Director
7445 Allen Road, Suite 160 Allen Park, MI 48101
(313) 437-1622
(734) 283-3725 – fax
[email protected]

Help Me Grow Detroit - Wayne

Kaela Wright, Project Manager
(313) 410-4588
[email protected]

Amber Anderson, Systems and Technology Lead
(313) 410-4588
[email protected]

Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency 

Whole Family Early OnWanda Oputa, Mental Health/Disability Manager
19258 Kelly Harper Woods, MI 48225
(313) 202-0320
(313) 521-3560 – fax
[email protected]  

Marnise Henry, Mental Health/Disability Coordinator
(313) 998-0665
[email protected]

Patricia Ulman, EECD Assistant Director
4671 Parker StDearborn Heights, MI 48125
(313) 203-1623
[email protected]  

Elise Mitchell, Referral Coordinator
(313) 203-1631
[email protected]

Wayne County Health Department

Catharine Oliver
33030 Van Born RoadWayne, MI 48184
(734) 727-7046
[email protected]

Focus: HOPE Early Learning

Jordan Ervin
1550 Oakman BlvdDetroit MI 48238
(313) 334-1243
[email protected]

Michigan Hands and Voices

Muzna Sarwar
[email protected]


Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC)

Visit the State of Michigan ICC website

The Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC), operating under IDEA Part C, works with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to develop and implement statewide early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. This coordinated system brings together multiple agencies to effectively deliver services to families.

Michigan Alliance for Families Resources

The Michigan Alliance for Families created six videos titled, “Making the Most of Early On” and the topics include:

This collection of short videos is specifically created to help parents understand and navigate the supports and services available for infants and toddlers who have developmental delays and/or disabilities. Each topic includes closed captions in English, Spanish, and Arabic subtitles.

Each topic includes closed captions in English, Spanish, and Arabic subtitles. In addition to the videos, parents can find more early intervention resources at michiganallianceforfamilies.org/babiesand-toddlers.

Parents and professionals can view the videos on the Michigan Alliance for Families YouTube Channel youtube.com/michiganalliance or directly on our website michiganallianceforfamilies.org/videos/

Michigan Alliance for Families provides free information, referrals, and mentoring about special education. Parents who want help with an early intervention or special education matter can connect with the Parent Mentor in their part of the state by calling 1-800-552-4821 or emailing [email protected]

Michigan Alliance for Families is a Michigan Department of Education Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Grant Funded Initiative, Michigan Department of Lifelong EducationAdvancement and Potential, and is Michigan’s federally funded Parent Training and InformationCenter. Michigan Alliance for Families provides information, support, and education for families who have children (birth through 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services.