Oakland Family Services will be able to continue providing parents and caregivers resources that will help their babies grow and thrive thanks to General Motors.

General Motors Corporate Giving awarded a $20,000 grant for Before 3 to Succeed, the agency’s early childhood initiative that helps improve the lives and healthy development of children from birth to 3 years old. Research shows that early experiences determine whether a child’s developing brain provides a strong or weak foundation for all future learning, behavior, health and success in the workplace.

“Through the generous support of General Motors Corporate Giving, Before 3 to Succeed will be able to continue to educate families in the community about the critical importance of the first three years of children’s lives and development,” said Oakland Family Services President/CEO Jaimie Clayton.

“This grant will help us ensure that we are sharing the important information about child development, brain development and parental engagement as parents work to help their children develop appropriately on track and on time. GM has supported this program for the last several years, and through that support will have a lasting impact on our community.”

Joya L. Shepard, personnel director at General Motors’ Orion Assembly and Pontiac Stamping plants, presented Clayton a check on May 17 for Before 3 to Succeed. This is the third year the agency has received the grant.

“General Motors and Oakland Family Services have a long-time connection to the people of Oakland County,” Shepard said. “We share the belief that building resilience is a key factor in improving the welfare of individuals and families who struggle with depression, family issues, abuse and other challenges.

“As an Oakland Family Services board member and Oakland County resident I see the value that this organization provides to 40,000 residents every year. As a GM employee, I am humbled by the financial support the automaker provides as part of its efforts to build sustainable communities. Together, Oakland Family Services, GM and many other important supporters and funders are finding ways to build a brighter future for the men, women and children of Oakland County.”

Since Before 3 to Succeed’s inception in 2015, more than 7,000 families attending Oakland Family Services have been screened for a child zero to 3 years old. Of those families, nearly 2,000 were identified and offered developmental screenings.

In addition to Oakland Family Services and Day One clients, the Before 3 to Succeed public awareness campaign has reached libraries, churches, pediatricians, daycares, and community events throughout Oakland County. Through the initiative, materials featuring information about developmental screenings, brain development and what parents and caregivers can do to ensure a brighter future for their baby were created. More than 17,000 of these pieces have been distributed since Before 3 to Succeed’s inception.

Parenting information also is shared on social media and reached an average of 328,000 people per month in 2017.