GREAT START COLLABORATIVE

The Huron Intermediate School District was awarded funding from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) in the Fall of 2008 to initiate the Huron County Great StartCollaborative. The purpose of the Great Start Collaborative (GSC) is to ensure that every child arrives at Kindergarten safe, healthy, prepared for learning, and eager to succeed in school and in life. The mission of the GSC is to make this goal a reality for all children in Huron County.

Planning and implementation of the GSC will take place in three phases:
1) the Start-Up Phase (October 2008-April 2009); 2) the Planning Phase (April 2009-March 2010); and 3) the Implementation Phase (April 2010 and beyond). During the Start-Up Phase, the GSC is building a collaborative partnership of community leaders and parents to lead and oversee the work.

During the Planning Phase, the GSC will seek to involve all sectors of the community in conducting a comprehensive Local Early Childhood System Assessment. The assessment results will be used to develop a three-year Great Start Strategic Plan and a one-year Early Childhood Action Agenda to be implemented during the third phase of the initiative, the Implementation Phase.

The Implementation Phase will be an ongoing process. Annually, the GSC will create an Early Childhood Action Agenda that will coincide with the work outlined in the Great Start Strategic Plan.

BACKGROUND

Governor Granholm launched Project Great Start in the 2003 State of the State Address. The governor described this new initiative as a movement that challenges us all to recognize that learning begins at birth not when a child enters school. Our youngest citizens grow and learn at rates unprecedented in later life, setting the stage for future success in school and life. The intent is that all Michigan citizens will recognize that investment in the earliest years of life leads to productive citizens and dividends throughout life.

The governor’s commitment served as a catalyst for parents, community leaders, advocates, the Children’s Cabinet, and other state agencies to join forces in making Project Great Start a reality. Utilizing federal grant support, the blueprint for Project Great Start was developed. The seeds for a comprehensive early childhood system of services and supports, accessible to every child in Michigan from birth to kindergarten, have been planted. To view the blueprint, go to www.greatstartforkids.org/background.htm.

The blueprint contains significant recommendations for each component of the Great Start system. Two key recommendations for immediate implementation came from the Children’s Cabinet and are listed below.

1) Construct the Great Start system community by community-build on local early childhood systems already in development or operating in many communities.

2) Create a state-level entity to bring together the investment of the public and private sectors in support of the Great Start system—to focus on communication, to support local communities, and to build investment. In response, Governor Granholm created ECIC on February 22, 2005, and the Great Start system had its beginning. Please visit ecic4kids.org.

PURPOSE

The Huron County Great Start Collaborative (GSC) is the decision-making body for the Great Start system at the local level. The GSC has been convened by the Huron Intermediate School District and will conduct a community needs assessment based on the Great Start System Components. A community plan will be developed based on established priorities and resources.

Core Responsibilities of the GSC

• Conduct a community needs assessment
• Adopt and enact a strategic plan for the development of a comprehensive system of early childhood services and supports accessible to all children from birth to kindergarten and their families
• Seek additional public and private funds to support the Great Start system locally
• Provide a defined and accountable set of resources and service for
  children with disabilities, developmental delays, special needs or at risk of same, and their families
• Coordinate existing early childhood programs
• Expand high-quality child care capacity
• Evaluate the system on the basis of expected outcomes

The GSC is committed to establishing and maintaining a comprehensive early childhood system. The GSC:

• engages community partners in the planning and coordination of services;
  
• addresses the factors that influence a child’s readiness for school and life;
  
• promotes community awareness of early childhood issues;
  
• advocates for quality early childhood programs and services.

WHY CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM?

GREAT START SYSTEM COMPONENTS