1. Micki Gibbs Midland County Great Start Collaborative Director Midland County ESA Health and Human Services Council Midland County Great Start Collaborative Update…

2. How did the Great Start Initiative Begin?  Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) created in 2005 as a state 501 (c) 3 non-profit.  Managed state and federal early childhood funding, leverages private donor funding  Tasked with coordinating the Great Start Initiative in Michigan  Founded to be the state's focal point for information and investment in early childhood in Michigan and to build a state- wide system of programs and supports for young children and their families.

3. What does the Great Start Initiative look like? Office of Great Start/ECIC Parent Coalitions Regional Child Care Resource Centers Great Start Collaboratives

4. What does the Great Start Initiative look like?  Great Start Collaboratives exist throughout Michigan; to date, there are 55 established GSCs.  Most ISDs serve as the fiduciary for each GSC  The Parent Liaison works with families to engage parent voice in the decision making process

5. Who is part of the Midland County Great Start Collaborative? More than 45 agencies, service providers, and parents serve on the GSC board and/or work groups to drive system planning for early childhood. Our GSC board, work groups, and committees meet approximately 9 times annually to address early childhood initiatives from the 2012-15 Great Start Collaborative Strategic Plan.

6. What does the Midland County Great Start Collaborative do? Mission: To assure a coordinated system of community resources and supports to all Midland County families with children prenatal through age five. Vision: All children will enter kindergarten safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and in life.

7. What are the current initiatives for the Midland County GSC  Kindergarten transitions  Conscious Discipline  Reducing Childhood Obesity  Regional annual events such as Great Start Day at the Zoo and the Great Lakes Bay Region Early Childhood Business Summit  Three year old scholarships

8. Federal investments and policies  Race To The Top Early Learning Challenge  Preschool for all proposals State of Michigan  Investments in the Great Start Readiness Program  The Tiered Quality Rating System  Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions What is happening at the state and federal level?

9. Thank you so much for allowing me to be here today! Micki Gibbs Midland County Great Start Collaborative Director Midland County Educational Service Agency 989-492-7702 x1173 mgibbs@mcesa.k12.mi.us www.greatstartmidland.org