About Great Start

Great Start
Funded with a grant from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation of the State of Michigan and the Kellogg Foundation, our project began in April of 2006. The goal of the project is to form multiple collaborative bodies in the state to begin development of a comprehensive system of early childhood care and education for 0-5 year olds and their families. This system is similar to the Smart Start system of North Carolina and the state of Michigan is receiving technical assistance in our efforts from the state of North Carolina.

Vision
Our vision is that every child born in Charlevoix, Emmet and N. Antrim Counties has a Great Start growing and developing in communities that promote safe and healthy learning environments for children and families.

Mission
The Great Start Collaborative of Charlevoix, Emmet, and N. Antrim Counties will promote and develop a comprehensive system of support, education, and wellness for 0-5 age children and their families. Inclusive in the system are the unique concerns of our community, specific data and outcomes that will drive activities and resources of the collaborative effort. The results of these efforts are strength in human and economic assets for our community now and in the future.

Great Start Tasks for 2007

• Complete a community assessment and strategic review for five general areas of concern. Community Conditions, Physical Health, Social-Emotional Health, Education and Care, and Safety. This includes formation of committees to analyze findings of the community assessment.
• Form a Parent Council comprised of parents/grandparents with children 0-12 years old.
• Market and educate the community on the message of the importance of early childhood education and care.
• Begin systems work to form a 0-12 level education network.
• Organize a business forum to discuss findings of the assessment, engage the business community in the Great Start processes, and to secure council in systems building.