Great Start: Great Expectations for the Children of Kent County
There are approximately 45,000 children under the age of five in Kent County. Each and every one need and deserves adequate care to start kindergarten on the right foot. Yet, each year, too many children arrive with a host of problems. In fact, Michigan ranks 24th in recent national rankings of overall child well-being, which looks at a combination of education, socio-economic backgrounds, health and risk factors.
In response to this issue, Governor Jennifer Granholm stressed in her 2005 State of the State address the urgent need to focus on and invest in the health and success of all of Michigan’s children. She proposed an early childhood initiative to be known as Great Start and created the first ever, statewide public-private corporation to focus state and private sector resources on building a comprehensive system of services and supports for Michigan’s children and their families. From this call came the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC).
The ECIC provides funds for intermediate school districts to convene local Great Start Collaboratives to provide a forum for community leaders from all walks of life to work together to create a better future for all young children in their communities. Local Great Start Collaboratives assess the current status of young children and families in their communities, develop an action agenda for change and work with private and public partners to increase community investment in young children.
Our Kent County Collaborative Coordinator is Judy M. Freeman. You may contact her at .