Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative

Dickinson-Iron
Great Start Collaborative
Strategic Plan
2011 - 2014
Please contact us today!
Great Start Collaborative
PO Box 906
Iron Mountain MI 49801
(906) 396-9546
www.greatstart4kids.org
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August, 2012
greatstart4kids.org
barb@reisner.us
906-396-9546
Great Start Collaborative
Dickinson-Iron Counties
PO Box 906
Iron Mountain MI 49801
To The Citizens of Dickinson and Iron Counties:
The Great Start Collaborative has been granted an opportunity to change the future of our youngest
citizens and their families. The Michigan Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) initiated Great
Start to assure a coordinated system of community resources and services to help all Michigan families
with children from birth to age five.
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) was created to be the state’s focal point for
information and investment in early childhood in Michigan so that children can arrive at the kindergarten
door, safe, healthy and eager for learning and life.
ECIC was founded in 2005 and charged with implementing a Great Start system for Michigan both at the
state level as well as one community at a time. In March 2006, Dickinson and Iron Counties were one
of only fourteen communities to receive a grant from Michigan’s ECIC to implement a local Great Start
initiative to strengthen early childhood development in Dickinson and Iron Counties.
Modeled after the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, ECIC was created through an Interlocal
Agreement between the Michigan Department of Human Services and Branch County Intermediate
School Districts. In 2011, Governor Synder appointed 15 influential leaders from business, philanthropy,
communities and state government to serve as the Executive Committee for ECIC.
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative (DIGSC) has been formed as a local planning and decision
making body for the Great Start System. Presently, there are 54 Great Start Collaboratives in Michigan.
In order to more effectively meet the needs of children and families, the DIGSC conducts community
assessments and develops and updates a Strategic Plan based on the findings of an annual system
assessment. Through signature signing at the end of the Strategic Plan, members of the DIGSC have
indicated approval of the content of the Strategic Plan, annual work plan and community assessment; as
well as continued leadership support for accomplishing the goals of the Great Start Collaborative.
Thank you for taking time to understand the goals, ambitions and purpose of the Dickinson-Iron Great
Start Collaborative. We greatly value the collaboration it takes to sustain a coordinated effort to continue
to build healthy and safe communities.
Sincerely,
Barbara J. Reisner, M.S., M.Ed.
Project Coordinator
Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative
See next 2 pages
“A child who walks through the kindergarten doors ready to learn,
ready to make the most of the vital first years of elementary school,
is far more likely to succeed in school and in life.”
Dr. Jack Shonkoff, Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child
Membership Endorsements / Signatures
Dickinson And Iron Counties, Great Places To Raise A Family!
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Great Start Collaborative Membership Representation
Agencies––Organizations––Businesses––Schools––Individuals––Parents––Family Members
The Great Start Collaborative of Dickinson and Iron Counties used a variety of ways to obtain information
for the 2011-2014 Strategic Plan. As recorded in the 2011 Great Start Community Assessment, each
county has their own unique strengths, needs and resources. The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative
includes representatives from the following organizations, agencies, schools and businesses:
Bay Community College–West Campus
Department of Human Services–Dickinson County
Department of Human Services–Iron County
Dickinson Area Community Foundation
Dickinson Area Partnership and Chamber of Commerce
Dickinson County Health Department
Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District
Dickinson and Iron County Library Branches
Early Head Start
Early On
Forest Park School District
Great Lakes Recovery Center
Great Parents/Great Start
Habitat For Humanity Restore
Head Start
Iron County Health Department
Iron County Chamber of Commerce
Iron County Courts–Juvenile Division
Iron Mountain City Hall–Mayor’s Office
Iron Mountain Public Schools
Kiwanis of Iron Mountain-Kingsford
LICC: Dickinson-Iron Local Interagency Coordinating Council
Little Explorer’s Day Care
Main Street / DDA
Medical Care Access Coalition
MICC: Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council
MSU Extension
NJ Freelance
Northpointe Behavioral Health Systems
Northstar Health System / Foundation–Iron River
Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center
Parent Coalition
Pediatrician Tiffany Darling, M.D.
Results Broadcasting
Sheperd’s Preschool
Standard Printing
The Iron Mountain Daily News
United Way
UP Great Start Regional Resource Center
Walk of Life Pregnancy Service
West Iron Library
West Iron School District
GREAT START BELIEFS
WE believe that parents are their children’s first and most important teacher.
WE believe that families support and guide the early learning of their infants and young children.
WE believe that all families should be socially and emotionally healthy.
WE believe that all children deserve and need pre-kindergarten learning opportunities.
WE believe that all families should have access to high quality early care and education.
WE believe in the vision of Great Start: A ‘great start’ for every child in Dickinson and Iron Counties:
All children arrive in school safe, healthy and eager to succeed in school and in life!
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Executive Summary
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative (DIGSC) formed in October of 2005, funded by a grant from
the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC). From the initial implementation phase, the DickinsonIron Intermediate School District took on the main fiscal agent leadership role. The collaborative members
represent a cross-section of professionals, community members and parents from both Dickinson and Iron
Counties in Michigan’s Southern Upper Peninsula.
In 2005, the first DIGSC Strategic Plan was published. The Strategic Plan also features an Action Agenda
section that outlines details for Early Childhood Components and Infrastructure Elements: Goals, Strategies,
Activities, Roles / Responsibilities, Target Dates and Progress Updates.
Great Start Mission Statement
The Mission of the Great Start Collaborative is to engage the entire
community to assure a coordinated system of services and resources to
assist all Dickinson and Iron County families in providing a great start in
school for children from birth through age five.
On an annual basis, the DIGSC publishes a Great Start Community Assessment. Local indicators and needs are
identified in order to align goals and rationales with each of the following FIve Great Start Component Areas–
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GREAT START COMPONENT AREA
Physical Health – Pediatric and Family Health
Social And Emotional Health
Child Care And Early Education
Parenting Support
Family Support And Basic Needs
The results of the DIGSC annual data review is reported to the public, collaborative members and other
stakeholders/ community leaders. Information featured in the annual community report includes community
resource lists, graphs comparing Dickinson County, Iron County and Michigan, Great Start Collaborative
initiatives, Great Start Parent Coalition events and activities and information on school and community early
childhood programs and services.
The strategic plan review process was initiated with two action planning retreats (December, 2010 and
September, 2011), attended by collaborative members who were interested in writing and reviewing the
Strategic Plan and Work Plan. In March, 2011 the DIGSC began forming Ready Teams / committees to continue
the ongoing process of finding effective ways to build a more comprehensive and integrated service system,
aligning with the important vision of providing programs, resources and services to all families and young
children. Committees of professionals and parents are continuously meeting to oversee communications and
partnership development in Dickinson and Iron communities. Starting in the Spring of 2011, seven committees
(Ready Teams) were implemented to help in the facilitating of Great Start initiatives.
From the early collaborative implementation phase in 2004, the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative
prioritized the importance of helping families find family resources and ways to access high quality early
childhood programs and services. In 2009, a comprehensive DIGSC Communication Plan was developed to
increase public will building and awareness of the early childhood movement in Dickinson and Iron Counties.
During 2011-2012, the collaborative set a goal of conducting infrastructure reviews, consisting of meetings
and trainings with agency directors and service providers to examine how well systems coordinate and work
together to benefit young children and early childhood efforts.
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Executive Summary_2
In addition to Great Start marketing and communication efforts, the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative
initiated 7 high quality initiatives that have proven to be very beneficial in meeting the needs of young
children and families–
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Family Resource Center Kiosk Sites
Spotlight and Special Mentor Awards
Resource Tool Kits for parents who have children ages 0-5
Great Start Collaborative Website: greatstart4kids.org
Great Start Collaborative Facebook: Dickinson Iron Great Start Collaborative
Great Start Parent Coalition Facebook: Dickinson Iron Great Start Parent Coalition
Great Start Parent Coalition free activities
Marketing has been a great way to educate policy makers and members of the community about the Great
Start initiatives and the importance of getting children ready to begin school. Public outreach and education
campaigns also foster partnerships within the community.
Rationale
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Strategic Plan, based on both family and community needs, is a core
document guiding implementation efforts for the purpose of creating a single, interconnected and intertwined
network, of public and private programs, services and supports; all working together in the Dickinson and
Iron communities to accomplish better results for young children and families.
Major issues identified through Great Start Dickinson-Iron 2011 Community Assessment:
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Median income is below household income Michigan norms
High unemployment rate: Michigan 12.4%; Dickinson Co. 10.9%; Iron County 11.7%
High % of children on Free and Reduced Lunch Programs
Over past decade, poverty has been increasing in Dickinson and Iron Counties
The average number of mothers who smoke during pregnancy in DC and IC is 10% higher than MI
Dickinson County licensed child care providers has dropped 60% from 2005 to 2011
Area early childhood pre-kindergarten school reports that 30% of children ages 3-5 are obese
Goals and Strategies
Important terminology related to strategic planning:
~ Goals are defined as general statements about what needs to be accomplished to address the major
issues facing the community.
~ Strategies are the broad, major efforts that will be undertaken to achieve the goals.
~ The Action Agenda provides detail for each strategy: the objectives, resource needs, roles/responsibilities,
target dates, progress measures and status.
~ Objectives are defined as a measurable step that will be taken to advance a strategy within a specific time frame.
Goals and strategies are based on the results of the data analysis, feedback during the strategic review and
results of the infrastructure review. Each component can and does affect other areas. The DIGSC leaders
understand the importance of setting realistic, attainable goals that show results. There also exists an
understanding that the DIGSC services two different counties and that although needs may be similar, often
times needs in Iron County and Dickinson County are different; i.e., Great Start initiatives are not always
replicated in both counties.
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Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative Goals and Strategies
Throughout the strategic planning process and work plan development, DIGSC leaders realized much work
needed to be done to enhance the early childhood movement and create change that promotes valuable
partnerships. Cooperation and coordination were happening; however, more collaboration is needed in order
to increase system building and change infrastructure supporting change. Collaboration building is the current
theme for the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative.
See Action Agenda, pages 6-12: Component Areas
Component Area # 1:
Physical Health – Pediatric And Family Health Care
There are many factors that influence a child’s ability to enter school ready to succeed. Pediatric and family
health is an area that underlies all efforts related to academic achievement – a child must be healthy in order to
learn. Early detection and intervention: A mother’s access to prenatal care, access to a regular and affordable
source of primary health care for mothers, infants and children, and health insurance coverage are just a few
factors that contribute to the healthy development of a child.
Goal # 1
Provide children access to health care, including mental, behavioral, dental and nutritional care, with emphasis
on health promotion and prevention.
Goal # 2
Promote children living physically healthy lives and growing up in clean and healthy environments.
Strategies
• Coordinate and collaborate with partners in an effort to help address childhood obesity
• Improve awareness to families on the importance of healthy nutrition and physical activity beginning at an
early age and including prenatal mothers
• Educate women and the community on the importance of early and consistent prenatal care
• Support the creation of health improvement initiatives with agencies/organizations and families
Rationale
• Need for an increase in early childhood learning opportunities and parent education
• Improve parent and teacher awareness and knowledge relating to the importance of social and emotional
health for children ages 0-5
• The 2011 Great Start Assessment identified obesity as one of the ten leading health indicators; while the
SSOC was unable to find current childhood obesity statistic for Dickinson and Iron Counties, it was recorded
that over the last 30 years, the prevalence of obesity in U.S. children ages 2-5 has increased by 248%.
Action Steps
1__ Coordinate and collaborate to implement: playgroups and children and parent cooking classes
2__ Disseminate Social and Emotional (S-E) Parent and Teacher Resources
3__ Support health department programs focusing on prenatal care, health promotion and prevention
4__ Disseminate educational materials needed to address emerging health issues impacting pregnant women,
children and families and foster families
5__ Continue strong collaboration with RRC in Marquette in partnership efforts to increase the number of child
care facilities and disseminate healthy family resources at kiosk sites
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Physical Health Roles and Responsibilities
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Health Department staff will insure that current health department efforts are coordinated with DIGSC efforts
The Health Department will provide leadership in meeting the goals of the Social and Emotional Ready Team
Communication Team will determine time lines, marketing strategies and use of media outlets
Social-Emotional Team will coordinate and collaborate in the writing, designing and marketing of
a series of parent and teacher resources focusing on social and emotional health of children ages 0-5
o Tool Kit Team will coordinate distribution of tool kits to families, hospitals, preschools and child care facilities
Progress Measures and Status
1__ Pediatric and Family Health Care initiatives will be coordinated and implemented as part of the SocialEmotional Ready Team
2__ Social-Emotional Chairperson will report progress / status at GSC Meetings
3__ ECIC Progress Reports will report performance and results of initiatives
4__ Website streaming videos will feature area pediatrician, Dr. Tiffany Darling and other S-E team members
presenting information on pediatric and family health care and social-emotional health
Component Area # 2: Social And Emotional Health
Great Start is committed to increasing awareness of the importance of social and emotional health and its
impact on a child’s later success in life. Relationships with parents and other caregivers create the framework
for positive social and emotional patterns affecting behavior and self-concept that can persist into adulthood.
Young children who experience sensitive, consistent, responsive, and nurturing care generally develop a sense
of security and a deep emotional bond with their primary caregivers.
Goal # 1
Improve children’s school readiness by promoting children arriving at school socially and emotionally healthy
Goal # 2
Increase the use of technology to enable more efficient data entry, access to on line referral information and
improved Early On staff time management / efficiency resulting in an increase in time for direct services
Strategies
• Coordinate a comprehensive Social-Emotional System of Care that will serve to maximize efficiency and
increase capacity / improving service of existing programs serving the social and emotional needs of
children and families
• Collaborate with partners who are also working towards improving the social and emotional health of
children ages 0 to 5: Great Start Collaborative_> 650
Head Start_ 195 Early On_ 100
MIHP_ 200
Early Head Start_ 80
Great Parents Great Start_ 120
GS Readiness_ 35
• Educate the general public about the importance of social and emotional health for children
• DIGSC will work to insure LICC is a priority in systems building efforts
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Rationale
• Need to increase pre-kindergarten opportunities for young children; 50% less child care facilities since 2006
• Importance of improving parent and teacher awareness and knowledge relating to social and emotional
health for children ages 0-5
• Recognize the 2011 Great Start Community Assessment indicators showing annual increases in poverty
and a decline in the number of children attending child care centers and preschools
Action Steps
1__ A GSC Social-Emotional (SE) Ready Team (committee) will be formed to focus specially on implementing
initiatives to improve pediatric and family health care and social and emotional health of young children
2__ The SE Team will authorship a series of social and emotional health resources for parents and teachers
3__ Continue strong collaborations with DHS, Health Departments, Northpointe, Parent Coalition, Kiwanis,
Head Start, DIISD and hospitals to assist in coordinating resource publications and marketing efforts
4__ Develop a documentation system geared toward an electronic record keeping process for Early On staff
5__ The DIGSC Project Coordinator will actively take on leadership roles in LICC, DCCC, ICCC and DC and
IC Business Partnerships
6__ The SE Ready Team will consist of members from: Head Start, DHS, Health Department, Northpointe and LICC
Roles and Responsibilities
o Northpointe will serve as the lead agency in convening the SE Ready Team
o Communication Team will determine time lines, marketing strategies and use of media outlets
o Social-Emotional Team will coordinate and collaborate in the writing, designing and marketing of
a series of parent and teacher resources focusing on social and emotional health of children ages 0-5
o Tool Kit Team will coordinate the distribution of social and emotional booklets / resources to families, hospitals,
preschools and child care facilities
Progress Measures and Status
1__ Social-Emotional Chairperson will report progress / status at GSC Meetings
2__ Annual GSC Assessment will report progress updates relating to social and emotional health initiatives
3__ Early On Snapshot Counts will be recorded for service capacity relating to target population
4__ LICC and DIGSC will work closely in developing marketing strategies to promote the social and emotional
health of young children
5__ Laptops purchased and new software development: Early On staff participating in ongoing software
development trainings; software being pilot tested
Component Area # 3: Child Care And Early Education
High quality child care and early education experiences are critical to every young child’s development.
Research has clearly demonstrated that children’s early learning experiences determine their foundation for
future learning and success. Children who have high quality child care and preschool experiences are more
successful in later school years.
Goal # 1
Increase access to existing early childhood opportunities by supporting community efforts to insure all children
have access to quality early education programs
Goal # 2
Strengthen the referral process for children in foster care who qualify to transition into Head Start and other
preschool programs
Goal # 3
Increase the number of child care facilities (homes and centers)
Goal # 4
Build public awareness and inform families of valuable
resources and child care facilities by ongoing
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implementation of Great Start Family Resource Libraries / kiosk sites
Rationale
• Need for an increase in early childhood learning opportunities
• Improve parent and teacher awareness and knowledge relating to the importance of social and emotional
health for children ages 0-5
• Recognize the 2011 Great Start Community Assessment indicators showing a need for improved nutrition
and exercise initiatives to prevent childhood obesity and a need to increase number of child care facilities
Action Steps
1__ Continue to add content to website and facebook page that will allow families direct access to child care
providers and information and referrals for child care and early education programs
2__ DIGSC will increase and maintain kiosk sites: technology and resources for families
3__ DIGSC and Tool Kit Team will increase the number of family resource center kiosk sites
4__ DIGSC Project Coordinator will insure sufficient communications and coordination of efforts are undertaken
to support the RRC annual work plan
5__ Continue strong collaborations with DHS, Health Departments RRC, Parent Coalition, Kiwanis, Area
Foundations, Chamber of Commerce and MSU Extension to assist in public will building and increased
access to early childhood learning opportunities
6__ DIISD administrators will develop a letter of Agreement between DIISD and DHS regarding referral of
children in foster care to Head Start
Strategies
• DIGSC will support community efforts to increase the number of new child care providers, retain current
providers and assist families with accessing child care
• DIGSC Project Coordinator will continue active participation in RRC Quality Improvement Team (QIT)
Roles and Responsiblities
o Health Department staff will insure that current health department efforts are coordinated with DIGSC efforts
o Communication Team will develop planned media efforts / marketing strategies to improve access to early
childhood opportunities
o Social-Emotional Team will coordinate and collaborate in the writing, designing and marketing of
a series of parent and teacher resources focusing on social and emotional health of children ages 0-5
o Tool Kit Team will coordinate the distribution of tool kits to families, hospitals, preschools and child care facilities
o DIISD will serve as the lead agency in the implementation of the Great Start Kiosk-Laptop initiative
o The Tool Kit Ready Team will provide leadership in the implementation of new kiosk sites FY12
o Communication team will initiate Op Eds and PSAs to promote the early childhood movement
o Develop a plan for local child care provider recruitment and funding needs that supports RRC Work Plan
Target Dates / Progress Measures FY12
1__ The Tool Kit Chairperson will report progress / status at GSC Meetings
2__ ECIC Progress Reports will report performance and results of initiatives: kiosk sites, tool kits
3__ Website streaming videos will feature information on kiosk sites, early childcare education and child care
4__ Communication team will publish a monthly Op Eds / PSAs on the topic of early childhood
5__ Collaborate with DIISD to successfully implement the School Readiness Formula initiative
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Component Area # 4: Parenting Support
Parents play a very important role in the healthy development of their children. Parents serve as their child’s
advocate and first teacher. Great Start recognizes the critical role that parents play in the lives of their children.
Parents are often the first to recognize the needs of their children. Great Start is committed to the development
of parents as leaders in the home and community.
Goal # 1
Assure the meaningful engagement of parents of children under the age of 12 in leadership roles on all levels of the
Great Start system, with the overall intent of increasing access to available supports for parents of young children
Goal # 2
Include a minimum of one parent leader on each Ready Team / committee
Goal # 3
Encourage parents to join the Great Start Parent Coalition (GSPC) and serve in leadership roles on both the
GSC and the GSPC
Goal # 4
Promote parent participation in parent leadership workshops / conferences and family advocacy opportunities
Strategies
• DIGSC / GSPC will support area foundations (Dickinson Area Community Foundation / Northstar Health
System Foundation) in their efforts to increase child / adult literacy
• DIGSC / GSPC will continue strong partnerships with area libraries by co-hosting and supporting children’s
story time programs
Rationale
• Established a need to increase parent involvement (parents attending PC meetings)
• Improve Great Start Parent Coalition presence in Iron County
• Recognize the value of the parent voice and importance of parent leadership in Great Start
Action Steps
1__ Assist in marketing and funding of RRC Playgroups
2__ Continue recruiting parents for the GSC to maintain a 20% parent-only membership criteria
3__ Invite and encourage parent leadership on all committees
4__ Insure new member information for parents by maintaining a new member orientation process
5__ Continue on-site child care during monthly GSPC meetings
6__ Host GSPC family activities and events 6 or more times per year in each county
7__ Encourage families and children to utilize the Great Start kiosk sites, website and GSPC facebook page
8__ Ongoing focus on parent networking and recruiting; i.e., weekly facebook page entries
Roles and Responsibilities
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GS Parent Coalition Facilitator (GSPF) to insure interactive play activities are available to PC member’s children
GSCPC and GSPF insure parenting resources are disseminated to parents in the community
GSCPC insures greatstart4kid.com website is up to date with current parenting information/services
GSPF insure Parent Coalition facebook page is up to date with parenting information/services
GSCPC and GSPF insure parenting education and communications efforts are coordinated with
the Communication Ready Team
o Communication Team / GSPF will determine timing and expenditures on use of media outlets
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Progress Measures and Status
1__ GSPC will continue hosting regular meetings sponsored by the GSPC in both counties
2__ The GS Parent Facilitator will report Parent Coalition progress / status at GSC Meetings
3__ ECIC Progress Reports will report performance and results of Parent Coalition initiatives
4__ Website streaming videos, Op Eds and PSAs will continue to feature parent leaders, parent events and
parent advocacy initiatives
5__ Parent Coalition Facilitator and parent leaders will be featured on a regular basis on the Great Start
In Touch Radio Show
Component Area # 5: Family Support And Basic Needs
Parents need access to resources and supports that help them be their child’s best first teacher. Great Start is
committed to ensuring parents have the tools and resources they need to provide for their child’s basic needs
and give them the best start in life possible. During the first five years of life a child’s brain is being built by their
earliest experiences, the environment around them and their relationships with others.
Goal # 1
Assure all parents / foster parents have access to community resources to meet their basic needs
Goal # 2
Prioritize the publishing and distribution of family resources: website, facebook pages, kiosk sites, tool kits
and membership and partnership information sharing
Goal # 3
Encourage training of DIGSC members as ‘Navigators’ to assist families accessing community resources;
DIGSC members provide leadership role in implementing and expanding Navigator Program to help family
members navigate out of poverty
Strategies
• Continue use of media to increase access to information about the availability of existing community
resources for families with young children: radio, television, newspaper, internet . . .
Rationale
• Established a need to increase parent involvement (parents attending PC meetings)
• GSC 2011 Community Assessment indicators reported more families in poverty in both counties
• Parent leadership is the key to Great Start success; recruiting of new parent leaders remains a priority
Action Steps
1__ DIGSC Project Coordinator will continue leadership role in the Dickinson County Navigator Program;
report Navigator progress at GSC meetings and encourage GSC members to join the Navigator initiative
2__ DIGSC Project Coordinator will work closely with members of the Tool Kit Team / Kiosk Team to
implement new kiosk sites in both counties; explore concept of traveling kiosk
3__ Leaders in DHS, Head Start, Early On, Great Parents–Great Start, LICC and area foundations will meet
individually with GSPC to coordinate availability of new resources and services for families
4__ DIGSC Project Coordinator and GSC leaders working at DHS in both counties will continue ongoing efforts
to increase support available for foster care families
5__ Great Start Business Partnership Ready Teams chairpersons will report at GSC meetings: updates on
infrastructure and system building efforts
6__ At the end of each GSC meeting, members will be encouraged to report system building and decision
making at their agencies, organizations, schools and businesses
7__ Cafe style events will be hosted by leaders in the GSC, GSPC and LICC; parent voices will be heard
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Roles and Responsibilities
o DIGSC Project Coordinator and the Business Partnership Team will continue to investigate and encourage
funding sponsorship of reading programs for children
o GSPC Facilitator and parent leaders will assess community needs to determine event planning; i.e., clothing
swaps, parenting fairs, cafes, advocacy speakers, trainings and other special family events
o All DIGSC members will coordinate and cooperate in the support of foster parent recruiting
o DIGSC Navigator Specialists will promote increased access to support basic needs of families in poverty
o DIGSC will promote member leadership from: DHS, court system, health departments and Northpointe
Progress Measures and Status
1__ GSPC and GS Parent Facilitator will continue ongoing community efforts to provide information for families
that will increase access to high quality early childhood programs and services
2__ Quarterly Progress Reports will record and evaluate progress in meeting the needs of families
3__ The DIGSC website will have current and expanded resources and referral information for families
4__ Families will be encouraged to utilize area kiosk sties
5__ GSPC and GS Parent Facilitator will take an active role in attending and presenting at Head
Start Policy Council Meetings
Great Start Collaborative 2011-2012 Goals
Current initiatives and strategies used to reach goals:
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Distributing Family Resource Tool Kits
Distributing Children’s Coupon Books to area churches
Collecting of resource for tool kits on an ongoing basis
Promoting Great Start Fund Development Initiatives
– selling and donating children’s coupon books
– advertising in children’s coupon books
– collecting tool kit donations
– advertising on tool kit tote bags
– selling social-emotional booklets
DIGSC / RRC Family Resource Library Kiosk Site
Integrating data management through use of technology: Early On Collaboration
Enhancing of Exchange Networks to create collaborative satisfaction
Hosting Public Forums to increase advocacy
Revise Communication Plan on a quarterly basis
Publishing monthly Op Eds
Reporting of earned media
Revise Operating Guidelines on an annual basis
Updating Action Agenda quarterly
Ongoing recruitment of members
Updating of GSC and GSPC Facebook pages
Assisting in implementation of playgroups
Implementing traveling kiosk
Collaborating with DIISD Head Start Program to promote new initiative, School Readiness Formula
Collaborating to implement a children’s reading program featuring delivery of children’s books to homes
Collaborating with community partners to provide all children in Dickinson and Iron Counties
pre-kindergarten learning opportunities
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Great Start Collaborative Profile and History
The members of the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative represent a diverse group of individuals,
including Parent Coalition members who hold key leadership positions. The Chairperson of both the Great
Start Collaborative and Executive Committee is a Parent Coalition member and recognized parent leader. The
collaborative has established a policy of including parents on all DIGSC committees / Ready Teams. In the
DIGSC, parents have a voice and parents are valued as key decision makers.
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Parent Coalition provides an opportunity for interested parents to organize, and
have a voice in the Great Start initiative. Parents have joined together by hosting free family events, activities
and playgroups. Parent leaders participate in formal parent coalition meetings to develop action plans and
event plans. The Great Start Collaborative places high value on the opinions, desires, and needs of parents,
and supports parent’s efforts financially. Great Start parent support is consistent in providing a part-time paid
facilitator, opportunities to hold meetings with on-site child care, mileage reimbursement and opportunities for
parents to attend parent leadership conferences.
Michigan’s Great Start Framework
Beginning in the Spring of 2007, the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative began hosting advocacy
events, business leadership meetings, forums, early childhood information meetings, politician bus tours
and community leadership lunch meetings and community presentations.
Enthusiastic parents and community leaders, along with the support of local media outlets have been
very supportive and effective in keeping Great Start in the public eye. Core Parent Coalition leaders have
approached others in the community to talk about the importance of supporting young children and their
families, which has been a huge contribution to the local Great Start initiative. Media support has also
been extremely valuable in keeping the public informed about the importance of Great Start and the early
childhood movement.
Each year, Great Start momentum has been building and change is ongoing. People are expressing that
supporting children and families is a priority in community planning, church outreach and the development
of new programs. Organizations are starting to make changes based on the feedback relating to Great Start
system building, collaboration, community assessments and positive relationship building. The words Great
Start are being recognized and have taken on new meaning in Dickinson and Iron Counties–the needs of
children and families are being talked about more and valued!
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Parent Leadership
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition recognize the vital role parents and
families play in creating a home environment where children feel love and support, are safe and healthy, and
develop the curiosity to learn. Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers.
In order to support the early care and learning of children, it is critical to support and empower parents. The
2010 MSU Evaluation of Michigan’s Great Start Collaboratives, recently reported that only 21% of parents
said they received services they needed; and only 11% to 32% of parents said they were informed and knew
where to go and what questions to ask.
The Great Start Collaborative believes in the parent voice and has included parents on the DIGSC Executive
Board and all committees. In 2006 and 2012, the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative hired a Great
Start Parent Coalition Facilitator to bring parents together with the mutual goal of gaining more knowledge
about early childhood resources, as well as learning how to be an advocate for the needs of children and
families. The parent coalition leaders are very committed to distributing the Great Start / Early On Help
Resource Cards and other valuable information to assist parents in gaining access to high quality early
childhood programs and services.
Each year, members of the parent coalition attend the Star Power Early Childhood Advocacy Rally in
Lansing and other local sites, plan family activities and events, attend state and area conferences and take
on leadership roles in organizations that address parental issues and concerns. Parent Coalition meetings
have been consistently well-attended by core parent leaders in Dickinson County. In Iron County, the Parent
Coalition is making a presence through playgroups, parenting fairs, family fun days and partnership meetings.
Parents are empowering, supportive and encouraging for each other through the positive connections they
experience on the Great Start Collaborative and the Parent Coalition.
Parent involvement has been a priority for the Great Start Collaborative of Dickinson-Iron upon inception.
Originally it was discovered that parents tend to have leadership positions available within the Head Start
Policy Council only. The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative has a history of selecting a parent as the
Chairperson of the GSC and Executive Committee. The Great Start Collaborative consistently supports the
Great Start Parent Coalition and is working cooperatively to recruit, engage and support parents and provide
additional leadership positions within both the collaborative and coalition.
Media
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative has consistently been provided excellent support from local
media outlets. A monthly radio news program called “In Touch” features the Great Start Collaborative and
Parent Coalition, covers issues related to the Great Start component areas and includes special guests from
participating organizations. Public Service Announcements and Opinion Editorials related to the featured
component area run regularly throughout each month.
The Iron Mountain Daily News, Iron County Reporter, Charter TV and TV 6 have all provided media coverage of
major events hosted by Great Start. The public response to Great Start media coverage has been extremely
positive. FY12, Great Start will be co-authoring early childhood Op Eds in collaboration with political and
community leaders.
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative has consistently prioritized marketing. The DIGSC website
(www.greatstart4kids.org) is an effective communication tool that is visually appealing, popular and userfriendly. The DIGSC website serves as the early childhood hub for resources; includes a community calendar
for events in each county, parent resources, local resources, relevant research, early childhood news and
events and valuable information about the GSC and the Parent Coalition.
In April 2011, the Parent Coalition leaders developed a parent coalition facebook page (Dickinson Iron
Great Start Parent Coalition) and in December, 2011 the Great Start Collaborative introduced a collaborative
facebook page (Dickinson Iron Great Start Collaborative. The collaborative and the parent coalition also
published brochures and booklets that provide information re: Great Start purpose, goals and partnerships;
and Parent Coalition events and activities.
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Strategic Analysis Findings
As part of a process to better design early childhood services and programs, the Dickinson-Iron Great Start
Collaborative has conducted two community assessments. The Great Start Service System Oversight
Committee (SSOC), consisting of Great Start Collaborative leaders, established an assessment process,
reviewed data, identified indicators and prepared a community assessment report. The SSOC committee
ranked and prioritized local indicators to determine those most important to publish and include in public
documents and the strategic plan.
The SSOC committee findings were assembled into a 2011 Great Start Community Report that summarized
key indicators in each component area, and utilized charts and graphs to illustrate significant trends (i.e.
rates of change) and relative rates compared with statewide data. The 2011 Community Report is posted on
the greatstart4kids.org website and will be distributed to 35 community partners in February, 2012.
The 2007 and 2011 Great Start Community Assessment Reports informed the collaborative and parent
coalition members on the findings regarding the status of young children and families in the both Dickinson
and Iron Counties. The collaborative reviewed the key findings and approved the community report. The
2011 Great Start Community Report, as well as the 2010 MSU Assessment, guided the collaborative’s
strategic planning process. Starting in March 2012, Michigan State University will be beginning the second
year of Great Start Collaborative and Great Start Parent Coalition Assessments. Great Start Collaborative
leaders have already signed up to inform the public of the following Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative
2011 Reports:
•
•
•
•
2011 Dickinson-Iron Great Start Community Report
FY12 Dickinson-Iron Great Start Strategic Plan and Action Agenda
Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition Initiatives FY12
Early Childhood Investment Corporation MSU Assessment 2010 Results
Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative Community Assessment 2011 Findings–
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•
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Median Income and average wage per job are below national and state norms.
Poverty is increasing since 2000.
Health care infrastructure in place with a strong public health system.
Both counties are behind the state average on several important health indicators, childhood obesity and smoking.
A high percentage of single mother households are living in poverty.
There is a shortage of licensed child care spaces.
The Great Start Collaborative continues to work on meeting the needs of families and young children by
providing current and accurate facts needed to identify important problems that exist for families in Dickinson
and Iron Counties.
Early Childhood Investment Corporation MSU 2010 Assessment Findings–
•
•
•
•
Continue to improve exchange networks by enhancing successful collaboration
Increase discussions of self interest as a means of improving collaboration building
Enhance membership diversity by implementation of cafes–hear parent voice
Continue to improve system building and access to high quality early childhood programs/services
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Karen Ray Collaboration Building Training Findings Reported 12/9/11
DIGSC hosted Karen Ray as a kick-off to enhancing network exchanges FY12 (President of Karen Ray
Associates; specializes in training and organization development for community, non-profit and government
agencies with a focus on collaboration, team building and leadership; author of numerous books and
publications). Ms. Ray recommended the Executive Committee focus on the following immediate goals:
•
Continue to improve exchange networks by enhancing successful collaboration
•
Increase Great Start Parent Coalition presence in Iron County
•
Host Parent Coalition Meetings in Iron County; i.e., Cafes
•
Focus on tasks: Why and how Work Plan connections are made
•
Create a matrix of presentations through a team presentation model
Strategic Analysis Findings
Background Information
After processing the 2010 MSU Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition Evaluation
and the 2011 Community Assessment, the Great Start Writing Team leaders identified key indicators as
priorities for public messaging and strategic planning: Five Significant Great Start Collaborative Areas of
Focus FY12:
1
2
3
4
5
Continue goal of increasing child care opportunities through collaboration with RRC
Promote healthy family living–increase mutual information sharing, promote changing consequences and work towards modifying and changing policies
Assist in expanding the quantity and quality of preschool opportunities for children
Actively increase and expand the strengths and density of existing collaborative networks
Continue ongoing goal of increasing access to comprehensive early childhood systems
In the Fall of 2011, the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative began implementing public forums and
meeting with policy makers. Bringing together the community and providing information on the value of
Great Start, ECIC and early childhood is an ongoing goal of the DIGSC. Great Start leaders will continue
to prioritize the engagement of community leaders, stakeholders and political leaders, as an important
way to support CHANGE: reducing risks; changing physical design or structure of environment; changing
consequences; and changing laws, rules or voting procedures–all to better serve families and increase the
quality of practices at both state and local levels. The DIGSC is continuously invested in recruiting valued
community leaders to assist in Great Start’s target goal of getting all children ready for school!
The greatest challenges in Dickinson and Iron Counties are economic and demographic. The two counties
have faced higher-than-statewide unemployment averages for years. The Dickinson-Iron Great Start
Collaborative will continue to support families by providing free: (1) Great Start Parent Coalition events and
activities; i.e., Family Fun Days and Clothing Swaps; (2) family resource tool kits; (3) playgroups; (4) early
childhood presentations; (5) parent leadership conferences; and (6) public forums and advocacy events.
Great Start leaders travel to Iron County on a weekly basis. Both the Great Start Collaboration and Parent
Coalition have made commitments to make Great Start a meaningful and effective service to Iron County
parents and community members.
Key Strategic Analysis Issues in Michigan’s Dickinson and Iron Counties
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Economic Issues
Single Mothers In Poverty
Child Care Availability
Parent Education and Support
Integration of Data Management
Substance Abuse Issues
Geographic Challenges
Transportation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Childhood Obesity Rates
Effects of Smoking on Family Members
Child Care Provider support
Funding Availability
System Integration
Increasing Access to Health Services
Increasing Home Visits
Parent Resources
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Infrastructure Review
Service System Integration is an integral part of the Great Start initiative. Historically, the Dickinson-Iron
Great Start Collaborative has worked very well together. A main focus and goal for 2011-2012 is to prioritize
system building–working together to improve access to early childhood programs and services and to
provide more young children early childhood learning opportunities. Other key infrastructure key issues
include: collaborative membership and participation, service system integration, elimination of duplication of
services, technical assistance and professional development and public will building for early childhood needs.
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative has continuously made an effort to work towards realistic goals
and results. Accountability is always discussed and prioritized. Developing goals built on the strengths of
the Dickinson-Iron Great Start system and finding ways to address multiple goals and issues simultaneously
with limited human and financial resources, remains in the forefront of all DIGSC strategic action planning.
Great Start leaders discovered early that delegating responsibility and authority to committees and utilizing
strong community and agency early childhood supports, insured close coordination and accountability.
Great Start believes in parent membership empowerment. Membership and community partnerships are
seen as critical to Great Start’s success. The Dickinson-Iron Communication Plan and marketing strategies
have made huge impacts in helping to make Great Start a recognizable initiative in the Dickinson and Iron
County communities.
The 2011 Dickinson-Iron Great Start Strategic Plan was reviewed and edited by the Great Start Writing Team
(15 key committee members) and compiled by the Project Coordinator using all of the assessment materials,
notes, and goal worksheets.
July 2010 Dickinson County Library
FAMILY RESOURCE LIBRARY KIOSK KICK OFF EVENT PHOTOGRAPH SERIES
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Organizational Infrastructure
Goals and strategies will be written for each Great Start component area, as well as for the local early childhood
system infrastructure. Elements of the local early childhood system infrastructure–
Page
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1
TAKING ACTION: GREAT START COLLABORATIVE FACTORS
Collaborative Governance
Accountability, Results and Standards
Data and Information Systems
Professional Development
Parent and Community Engagement–Public Will Building
Policy-Maker Education
Service System Integration
Financing and Fund Development
COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE
Membership and Structure
Collaboration is a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations
to achieve common goals. The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative consists of community leaders who
are dedicated to achieving an increase in access to high quality early childhood programs and services.
GSC members are enthusiastic community leaders who represent organizations, school districts, businesses,
agencies and families. It is the collective passion and compassion of the GSC leaders that makes a continuous
impact on the welfare of our communities youngest children. The early childhood movement is here to stay in
Dickinson and Iron Counties because community leaders are committed and value the early childhood movement.
The Great Start Collaborative Membership includes:
Parents of children (aged 12 or younger) who represent the diversity of the counties
Business leaders
Directors of philanthropic and charitable organizations
Directors of a faith-based organization
Directors of organizations that provide services on behalf of minority populations
Superintendents of the Intermediate School Districts
Directors of the local departments of public health, human services and community mental health
Director / CEO from a hospital or health care system
Director / CEO from a mental health care system
Family court judge
Early On Coordinator
Director of the 0-3 secondary prevention program
Director of the Regional RRC
Coordinator of the MSU-Extension Office
Director of the Head Start Program
Director of a local Michigan School Readiness Program
Directors of Licensed Child Care Centers
Principals from Elementary Schools
Elected governmental officials
Operating Guideline Overview_revised 11/7/11
I. Who We Are
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative (DIGSC) is the local planning and decision-making body for the
Great Start system – Michigan’s comprehensive early childhood system. The Great Start system components
are: Physical Health, Social-Emotional Health, Family Support, Parenting Education, Early Care and Education;
Basic Needs; Economic Security and Safety; and Infrastructure. The goal of the Great Start system is for all
Michigan children to enter kindergarten safe, healthy, and eager to succeed in school and in life.
18
Operating Guideline Overview_continued
II.Vision
A Great Start for every child in Dickinson and Iron Counties; safe, healthy and eager to succeed in school and in life.
III.Mission
The Mission of the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative is to provide a Great Start for all children from
birth through age 5 by assuring a coordinated system of community resources and supports to assist all
families in Dickinson-Iron Counties.
IV.Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines is to establish an organizational and procedural framework for the DIGSC
and its committees and workgroups. The DIGSC is being convened as a result of a grant received by the
District-Iron Intermediate School District (DIISD) from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC).
The grant award is for an initial 12-month period. The DIGSC will conduct a community needs assessment
based on the Great Start Components, and a long-term strategic plan will be developed based on the
findings of the needs assessment. The strategic plan will outline short and long term goals; and services
and supports from all of the Great Start system components will be made accessible to every child from
birth to kindergarten entry, and to his/her family.
The purpose of the collaborative is to:
A.
Provide a Great Start for all children from birth to age 5 by participating in the on-going coordinated system of community resources and supports to assist all Dickinson and Iron County families.
B.
Assist the local Great Start Collaborative Coordinator in accomplishing early childhood related tasks, goals and objectives to improve the local system of early childhood related programs and services.
C.
Assist in the development and implementation of a local early childhood and parent focused strategic and action plan based on a local needs assessment.
D.
Implement recommendations for local systems for on-going improvements.
E.
Encourage, facilitate and support parent engagement in participation and leadership roles.
F.
Assist in engaging philanthropic, faith-based, public, private and legislative support including fund development and advocacy.
Other membership requirements:
•
Parents (birth, adoptive, foster, non-custodial or legal guardian) must constitute at least 20 percent of the total membership, be reflective of the ethnic and racial makeup of the community, and be parenting children aged 12 or younger.
•
Parent members are to receive, in a timely manner, the same supports and resources available to non-parent members.
•
The members of the collaborative, with the exception of parents, must have sufficient authority to commit funds, staff and other resources on behalf of their organization.
•
The DIGSC may include other members on the Great Start Collaborative whom they deem appropriate and necessary to the work of the collaborative.
•
Members are selected by an informal process of referral to the Collaborative, followed by a brief interview and orientation with the prospective member to insure they meet requirements, and have sufficient understanding and commitment to the mission of the collaborative.
•
Once selected for membership, the new prospective member shall sign a letter of commitment to the Project Coordinator and complete a member information sheet to provide contact information. 19
2
ACCOUNTABILITY, RESULTS AND STANDARDS
The purpose of Great Start is to assure a coordinated system of community resources and supports to
assist all Michigan children.
Results: The Great Start initiative is working towards–
Reference: www.greatstartforkids.org
Infants, young children and their families are physically healthy.
Infants, young children and their families are socially and emotionally healthy.
Families support and guide the early learning of their infants and toddlers.
Families have access to high quality early care and education.
Children are ready to succeed in school and in life.
Families of infants and young children are economically stable.
Infants and young children are economically stable.
Infants and young children live in safe families.
Accountability: Great Start Collaboratives and Great Start Parent Coalitions are expected to–
Reference: Scope of Work for GSC and GSPC FY12
• Actively Pursuing System Change and Building Information and Resource Exchange Networks– increase
access to and coordination of high quality early childhood programs, within the comprehensive early
childhood system
• Build a strong, sustaining network of informed voices for early childhood across Michigan– build an
informed public in support of early childhood
• Sustain an effective, inclusive structure and engaged membership for the Great Start Collaborative
and Great Start Parent Coalition– a strong local structure is dependent upon an active, engaged, and
diverse membership
All 54 Michigan Great Start Collaboratives will be assessed against a single set of early childhood
outcomes as follows:
Reference: www.greatstartforkids.org
__ Children born healthy
__ Children healthy, thriving, and developmentally on track from birth to third grade
__ Children developmentally ready to succeed in school at the time of school entry
__ Children prepared to succeed in 4th grade and beyond by reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade
Standards: Great Start Collaboratives and Great Start Parent Coalitions are expected to accomplish–
Work Plan Goals, Objectives, Performance Measures, Professional Development Plan and Action Steps
Starting April 1, 2012, all 54 of Michigan’s Great Start Collaboratives and 70 Parent Coalitions budgets will
be based on ECIC Performance Rubrics that are scored on a point-total basis. ECIC funds support GSC/
GSPC staffing and travel; honorariums for GSC parent members and GSPC core members who providing
significant assistance to organize GSPC activities/events; child care, transportation, translation, and other
costs that eliminate barriers for participation on the GSC and GSPC for parents; basic supplies and costs
associated with meetings; and general printing of materials, strategic plan, etc. The Great Start Collaborative
Project Coordinator and the Great Start Parent Coalition Facilitator consistently complete reporting and
accountability actions as requested by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.
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3
DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Many methods are used during the strategic planning process to collect and share data.
Shared Data Collection
Data was discussed and reviewed by the DIGSC Writing Team, SSOC (Service System Oversight Committee)
and presented at Great Start Executive Committee Board meetings, in community meetings, county
collaborative meetings and via e-mail to all stakeholders within both counties. The question of accuracy and
how current the information is a challenge! Data/information systems approaches are being explored FY12
in a committee formed by the Dickinson County Hospital Health System, under the direction of Katie Maxon.
Surveys and focus groups have been presented as methods used for data collection.
The 2011 Great Start Community Assessment, compiled by SSOC utilized the following data sources–
2010 Census Data Published in Kids Count Michigan Data Book
www.kidscount.org
www.census.gov
Michigan League for Human Services_KIDS COUNT
www.kidscount.org
Right Start Michigan 2010 – Michigan League of Human Services
www.mlhs.org
Local Data Sources:
Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District
Dickinson-Iron Office, Michigan Department of Human Services
4
Dickinson-Iron District Health Department
U.P. Office, Regional Child Care Resource Center–Marquette
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Professional Development
Professional development is a priority of the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative staff. Training opportunities
continue to be discussed as they relate to professional development. Informally, DIGSC and GSPC members
participate in trainings, presentations, webinars, conference calls and meetings on a variety of topics and on a
regular basis. Identifying and maximizing training opportunities within communities is seen as a collaborative
effort. The DIGSC has set a goal of collaborating with other Great Start partners to host valuable area trainings;
i.e., May 2011 Early On, LICC and Great Start training workshops on the nurturing child. In December, 2012
Karen Ray was hired as a trainer over a 3-day period for both the DIGSC and the Gogebic-Ontonagon Counties
Great Start Collaborative.
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is provided to the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative by the Early Childhood
Investment Corporation consultants via meetings, webinars and conference calls. Other assistance has come
in the form of examples from other Great Start Collaborative, templates, websites and face to face meetings.
The Great Start Project Coordinator and Parent Facilitator attend regularily scheduled TA Meetings. Both
GSC and PC leaders submit professional development plans in writing to the fiscal supervisor annually.
Great Start leaders also seek out innovative early childhood conferences to attend. The ECIC Conference
is a favorite of the DIGSC. Once a year in March, a team of GSC / GSPC leaders attend a Michigan ECIC
Conference. DIGSC leaders also take advantage of the statewide network of the Great Start Directors and
Parent Facilitators to share resources and ideas. ECIC’s Intranet site is a highly valued resource used on a
regular basis by the GSCPC and GSPF. Each week, upon request–the ECIC Bulletin is forwarded to over
twenty DIGSC members.
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5
PARENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT–PUBLIC WILL BUILDING
Parent Leadership
A continuum of services and supports ranging from parent education to parent support is a critical role Great
Start plays in the healthy development of infants and young children. In Great Start, parents are seen as
leaders who advocate for their own children, as well as the needs of other young children.
Great Start Parent Coalition leaders develop a mission, vision and annual plan. Maintaining relationships
with the local media is a continual important process for core parent leaders. Community engagement
is completed through the hosting of the community conversations, distribution of surveys and sign up
lists, meeting presentations and input on community reports. The Great Start Parent Coalition members
participate and take leadership roles in sponsoring events; such as health fairs, community picnics, clothing
swaps, local playgroup events, childcare provider outreach and library storytelling sessions. Information is
disseminated via e-mail, facebook, websites and printed materials.
The Parent Coalition membership requirements also allow community engagement through reporting and
sharing information with agencies/organizations on the Great Start Collaborative. In addition, the Great Start
Collaborative Project Coordinator reports information and advocacy efforts to each County Collaborative
Board. Planned Action Steps for Parent Leadership, Community Engagement and Public Will Building is
featured in the Annual Great Start Communications Plan and updated by the Communication Team during
each implementation year. Continued membership recruitment efforts are a priority for the Great Start
Collaborative and the Parent Coalition. The parent voice is stronger when decision making is directed by
parents who have used and experienced early childhood programs and services.
What’s in it for parents to JOIN the Great Start Parent Coalition and Collaborative?
When parents get involved, they have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children.
Parents have the opportunity to make services and programs easier for families to use, while also gaining
valuable information about child development and community resources that may benefit their own
children or other children they are close to. In addition, parents have the chance to meet other parents /
family members who want what’s best for children. Parent leaders learn skills and knowledge that will be
useful in the workforce. Great Start is in the national forefront for a strong positioning and prioritizing of
the parent leaders and the parent VOICE!
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POLICY MAKER EDUCATION
Policy Maker Education starts with positive relationship building
The Great Start Collaborative and Parent Coalition are strong advocates for the early childhood movement
in Michigan. Michigan is one of the top ranked States in providing the infrastructure and system building to
work together with families and communities to identify needs, maintain resources and focus on solutions
to existing gaps for families with young children.
When Great Start leaders form positive relationships with local policy makers,
state representatives and state senators–more work can be done! At a press
conference on April 27, 2011, Michigan’s Governor Rick Synder announced his
intent to issue an executive order creating an Office of Great Start to coordinate
the state’s early childhood efforts. Michigan recognizes that new information and
research about the importance of the first five years of children’s lives and how
Great Start initiatives can address these issues is happening on a regular basis.
Governor Synder believes “the focus on early childhood programs results in greatly
improved academic achievement through school and the rest of children’s lives.”
Michigan policy makers believe that a coherent system of health and early learning
must be aligned, integrated and coordinated from prenatal to third grade.
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Policy Maker Education–continued
Office of Great Start Rationale_ presented in a letter to the Michigan Legislators in April 2011
• Preparing children for optimal learning and quality achievement in school actually begins at conception.
• Early childhood is a time of remarkable brain growth that affects a child’s development and readiness for school.
• According to Michigan kindergarten teachers, on average, only 65% of children entered kindergarten
classrooms this year ready to learn the curriculum.
• Seventy percent of Michigan fourth graders scored below the proficient reading level on the NAEP in 2009
(the most recent available data), placing Michigan 34th of the 50 states.
• Until the end of third grade, children are learning to read. Fourth grade students need to be able to read to learn.
• Currently, there are 84 separate funding streams scattered across Michigan.
• The newly formed Office of Great Start will consolidate early childhood programs and resources into a single
office of early childhood focused on maximizing child outcomes, reducing duplication and administrative
overhead and reinvesting resources from efficiencies into quality improvement and service delivery.
• The new Michigan Office of Great Start will be located at the Department of Education and will coordinate
all 84 separate early childhood funding streams
7
SERVICE SYSTEM INTEGRATION
The Great Start Collaborative Membership agencies and organizations have a respect and collaboration
between each partner. System building is enhanced through information sharing, coordinated action planning,
referrals and cooperation in providing and promoting service within each county. In reviewing the service
system integration, over 35 formal agreements of service integration between agencies/organizations were
recorded FY11. Written letters of commitment are signed by the Great Start Collaborative fiscal supervisor,
chairperson and project coordinator as commitments to work systematically for the best interest of children
and families. Letters of Agreement are reviewed each implementation year. Examples of formal written
agreements include: Great Start Collaborative and RRC Quality Improvement Team Letter of Support;
Early Head Start and Department of Human Services for foster children transition support; Early Head Start
and Early On for referring children with a possible developmental delay; Early On and DIISD for referrals of
children needing services because of a developmental delay; and Head Start and local Great Start Readiness
Programs for joint recruitment and enrollment procedures.
The Great Start Collaborative, Early On Local Interagency Collaborative Council (LICC) work closely to
better service children and families. LICC meetings are held every other month for the purpose of sharing
and exchanging information, as well as collaborating on the hosting of staff trainings and professional
development opportunities.
Partners of the Great Start Collaborative are working together in bringing the Dolly Parton’s Imagination
Library to all children 0–5 years of age. Both business partnerships in Iron and Dickinson counties are laying
the groundwork by developing positive relationships with business leaders and community leaders. Young
children’s reading initiatives and children’s books have been prioritized by both the Dickinson and Iron
County Business Partnerships.
The Great Start Collaborative is continuously focusing on system building and network exchanges to create
a more coordinated effort to serve children. Both counties area libraries are leaders in the community for
promoting reading readiness for young children. Both hospital foundations in Dickinson and Iron Counties
are focusing on child / adult literacy. Daily reading sessions between child and parent are realistic outcomes.
Planned Action Steps for Service System Integration help identify opportunities where integrating services
will reduce barriers to accessing services, increase coordination and reduce fragmentation. The DIGSC
believes in the power of collaboration building and greatly supports opportunities for integrating services.
All 7 DIGSC Ready Teams are encouraged to consider service integration in designing new initiatives and
developing and accessing fund development plans.
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8
FINANCING AND FUND DEVELOPMENT
Starting in 2011, fund development initiatives have been in the forefront when newly formed Dickinson and
Iron County Business Partnerships were formed. In 2011, the DIGSC Tool Kit initiative leveraged over four
thousand dollars allowing for the purchase of child and family resources for the family resource tote bags.
FY12 Fund Development Initiatives
1 Tool Kit donations for the annual tool kit initiative–packaged and distributed by DIGSC members
2 Children’s Coupon Book published and sold by DIGSC members
3 Social-Emotional Booklet, Vol. 1 written, published / marketed by Social-Emotional Ready Team
Obtaining updated and valuable family resources to achieve the Great Start goals is a major focus of both
collaborative and parent coalition members. With the present economic challenges and budget cuts, it is a
challenging time in Michigan. Budget cuts ultimately result in decreases in services and supports, and staff
needing to do more with less. Too often it is those families already struggling to provide for their children
who feel the burden of cuts to programs and services. Funding challenges creates a climate in which the
need to integrate early childhood service systems has increased to the point of becoming critical. Now is
the time to create systems change–to work together to better serve families and young children.
Because the Dickinson and Iron Counties are small communities, the same organizations and businesses
are often asked repeatedly for financial support. Subsequently, it is imperative that efforts to develop
funding sources be promoted with education about the Great Start initiatives, and discussions about ways
in which community organizations can partner with Great Start.
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative has made a valued decision to continue to focus on building
positive relationships with community partnerships. If the DIGSC goals are achieved over the next two
years, a great challenge will have been achieved. Looking for large amounts or financial support from any
one source may not be realistic in today’s economy and in smaller communities.
Financing and fund development are critical to sustaining the early childhood services! Great Start members
are committed to developing unique ideas and innovative approaches to obtaining and sustaining the
collaborative and the early childhood system. ECIC suggested approaches include leveraging, braiding,
pooling and blending among existing sources, as well as developing additional private sources.
The Great Start Community Partnership Teams in Dickinson and Iron Counties are taking a lead in fund
development initiatives by finding ways to establish and utilize funds that will support early childhood
change and growth.
Karen Ray’s approach to joint strategic planning / weaving strategic planning and sharing resources will
be a huge discussion in 2012 when a training planning committee is formed to take a look at having Karen
Ray return to help change policies and procedures and how resources are defined among collaborative
community partners. Collaboration saves money. We need to challenge everyone to talk about how
resources are being used.
Providing a great start for every child is a huge vision. It will take many people working together to make it
happen. Early childhood teamwork brings new meaning to the tag lines–
We are all in this together!
Together we achieve more!
Collaboration is not for the weak hearted!
We are working together to give all young children a great start!
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Conclusion
The Great Start initiative in Michigan is a huge undertaking. There have been times that the Dickinson-Iron
Great Start Collaborative simply did not have the resources, mostly that of people’s time, to participate in all
of the public will building, advocacy and professional development opportunities that were available.
Great Start leaders are very proud of the accomplishments of the Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative
and Parent Coalition. We believe that Great Start is making a difference in the lives of children and families
in Dickinson and Iron Counties and in Michigan. The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative is made up of
some of the most outstanding leaders and professionals in the country. Great Start leaders are dedicated,
compassionate, hard working and most of all, they have a genuine caring and love for children and families.
Whether you are part of an organization, business or family, we hope that you can help us make big strides
in advancing the local opportunities for our youngest citizens and our future leaders! Providing a ‘great
start’ for every child is a huge commitment, so we will be looking to involve a diverse cross-section of our
communities in the work we are doing. It is only through such a shared commitment that our vision can
be realized. Michigan’s Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions are making a difference! The early
childhood movement is here to stay.
The Dickinson-Iron Great Start Strategic Plan and 2011 Community Report is available on-line for review:
www.greatstart4kids.org / GS Collaborative Pull Down Button / Strategic Plan and Action Plan_PDF
Casey McCormick
The Department of Early Childhood
Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District Office
1074 Pyle Drive
Kingsford, Michigan 49802
906-776-8150
cmccormick@diisd.org
Barb Reisner, M.S., M.Ed.
Project Coordinator
Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative
P.O. Box 906
Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801
906-396-9546
greatstart@barbreisner.us
www.greatstart4kids.org
Jonathan Ringel, M.A.
Parent Facilitator
Dickinson-Iron Great Start Collaborative
814 West Fleshiem Street
Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801
734-474-8597
jonathan.ringel@frontier.com
www.greatstart4kids.org
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