Our History

Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw Child Development Board, Inc. (BHK) is a non-profit 501(C)(3) community agency, founded in 1974, and the region’s largest provider of early education and care, serving families in Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw Counties.

BHK currently delivers multiple collaborative and outcome-based programs funded by state, federal, and local sources, including Early Head Start, Head Start, Great Start Readiness Program, out-of-school time programming for K-5th grades, and tuition-based care.

Since its inception, BHK has been a Head Start (preschool) grantee, adding Early Head Start (prenatal to 3) services in 1999. BHK expanded programs in 2002 to include after school and summer programming for school-age children.

Strong, established relationships with community agencies and school districts assure continued coordination and collaboration in delivery of high-quality services meeting the unique needs of children and families in our communities.

Long recognized as a leader in early childhood education in the State of Michigan, BHK was the sole state nominee to a national competition in which in 2010, BHK was designated a National Center of Excellence by the Federal Administration for Children and Families. Nominated as a leader in innovative and effective, high-quality programming for young children and chosen, in part, due to its successful work in reunification of families and child well-being.

 

  • In-School Dental Program Returns to BHK

    BHK Child Development, in partnership with Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center, is excited to announce a series of In-School Dental Events aimed at ...

  • BHK Participates in Giving Tuesday 2024!

    "Again! Again!" The precious words from a toddler, eager to hear a favorite story, reminds us of the magic that books bring into a child’s life. ...

  • BHK Child Development Celebrates 50 Years of Strengthening Families and Community

    On Thursday, June 27th, BHK hosted a 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Bonfire in Houghton to commemorate five decades of strengthening and ...

  • BHK Marks 50 Years

    BHK Marks 50 Years of Transformative Impact: Empowering Thousands of Families, Nurturing Futures Houghton, MI – December 29, 2023– ...

  • Great Explorations Awarded Grant to Continue Afterschool and Summer Programs

    [Baraga County] – BHK Child Development was recently awarded the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant by the ...

  • BHK Promotes Access to Local Food Sources for Families

    BHK Child Development plays a vital role in promoting access to local food sources for families in the community. One of their key initiatives is ...

  • BHK Apprentices ‘Earn While They Learn’

    Early childhood education is a rewarding career in a field with high demand. What happens in the early childhood years can affect children for a ...