|
|
Great Start Collaborative-Oakland
The
purpose of the GSC-O is to assure a coordinated system of community resources
and support whereby ALL Oakland County families have knowledge of and access to
the services they need which will result in their children being prepared and
eager to learn.
|
|
|
|
It's Their Future; It's Our Responsibility!
Thank you for your continued interest and support in building our Great Start System in Oakland County.
Great Start Collaborative-Oakland would like to recognize Nancy Ely, Director of Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education Programs at Farmington Public Schools as our May and June Children's Champion. Thank you for your partnering with the GSC-O and for hosting the Parent Conference and Resource Fair. You truly are a model for community collaboration!!
|
Upcoming Great Start Meetings
|
|
|
Click here to view the GSC-O Calendar Online.
|
Date
|
Event/Meeting
|
Location
|
|
Tuesday, June 9 |
Parent Coalition |
Oakland Family Services, Pontiac |
|
Thursday, June 11
|
Basic Needs Subcommittee Meeting
|
Oakland County Child Care Council, Bloomfield Hills
|
Thursday, June 25
|
Parenting
Education & Family Support Subcommittee Meeting |
Carehouse,
Pontiac |
Wednesday, July 1
|
Social & Emotional Health Subcommittee Meeting |
Easter Seals, Pontiac |
Tuesday, July 7
|
Early Care and Education Subcommittee Meeting |
Oakland
Schools, Waterford
|
|
Thursday, July 9 |
Basic Needs Subcommittee Meeting |
Oakland Family Services, Pontiac
|
Monday, July 13
|
Strategic Leadership
|
Oakland Schools, Waterford
|
|
|
|
|
If
you are interested in participating in one of the above events/meetings, please
contact Darlene Zimny at darlene.zimny@oakland.k12.mi.us
or 248.209.2588.
Looking
for ways to get involved in the Great Start Collaborative-Oakland? Click here to sign up for one of the three new workgroups or one of the five
existing subcommittees.
|
| Talking Points |
|
Ages birth to five are the critical years of a child's development. Quality care and education at the earliest ages is the first, best and most cost-effective way to ensure that at-risk children thrive and grow into productive adults. The Great Start Collaborative-Oakland is committed to getting the message out that early childhood education works!! Below is the first in a two part series with some key messages on the smartest investment in Michigan.
|
- Economists, business leaders and scientific researchers agree that quality early childhood services stand among the smartest public investments available. Tangible returns on investment are well-documented. Returns are greatest for the most at-risk children.
- Proof Point 1 (return on investment): The economic and social benefits realized when at-risk children take part in high-quality early education programs are staggering. Compared to their peers who did not receive quality services, these children are:
- 29% more likely to graduate from high school
- 50% less likely to require special education or be held back a year in school
- Significantly more likely to finish high school and have better employment opportunities earning 33% more as adults
- Proof Point 2 (evidence-based programs/health and wellness): Rigorously-monitored and research-based programs provide significant benefits to disadvantaged children and pay ongoing dividends to the cities and states in which they live.
- They benefit children by improving school readiness, the ability to listen, control emotions and perseverance
- They benefit disadvantaged families by offering on-site support services that provide the education and resources to help them nurture the continued success of their children
- They benefit all of us by helping disadvantaged families and their children emerge from poverty much healthier into a world of greater productivity
(For more information visit The First Five Years Fund at http://www.ffyf.org/)
|
Recent Research and Resources
|
What we know about early care and education; a summary of major research findings.
- The Abecedarian Project:This research, conducted by Dr. Craig Ramey, was the first study to track participants in an early learning program from infancy to age 21. Based in North Carolina this study tracked 111 low income African American families. The study demonstrated that young children who receive high-quality early education from infancy to age five do better in school academically in reading and math, are more likely to stay in school longer, graduate from high school and attend a four-year college. Children who participated in the early intervention program posted higher cognitive test scores beginning from the toddler years to age 21. Those who attended this high-quality early education program tended to wait longer to have their first child. To read more go to http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~abc/.
- Economic Return on Investment: Professor James Heckman's research has shown that investing in quality early learning programs is the most efficient way to affect school and life success and to reduce social expenditures later. His research finds that returns are greatest for the most at-risk children and quality early learning programs can result in reduced costs later on in special education, remedial classes, and even incarceration. Heckman's research also shows early inverventions for disadvantaged children "raise the quality of the workforce, enhance the productivity of schools and reduce crime, teenage pregnancy, and welfare dependency. They raise earnings and promote social attachment." To read more about Dr. Heckman's work click here.
- High/Scope Perry Preschool Study: This long term research study shows that by age 40, adults who participated as 3- and 4-year-olds in quality preschool were more likely to have graduated from high school, make higher earnings, hold a job and commit fewer crimes than those who didn't attend. High/Scope researchers followed 123 at-risk three- and four-year-olds and their families and have been tracked until age 40. For more information about the High/Scope Perry Preschool Study click here.
- Chicago Parent-Child Centers: This study, conducted by Dr. Arthure Reynolds, followed 989 students enrolled in Chicago Parent-Child Centers and a comparison group of 550 other eligible children who did not participate in the program until the eighth grade. This study demonstrated that young children who receive high-quality early education do better ni school academically, are less likely to drop out of high school, be arrested, repeat grades or be placed in special education services. In addition to increased earnings capacity by those who participated in the program, society saved more than $7 for every $1 invested in preschool. For a cost-benefit analysis of the program click here.
|
|
| Upcoming Learning Opportunities |
- Oakland Schools will be sponsoring a training on "Diversity and the Young Child" on August 18 and 19, 2009 held at the Oakland County Child Care Council office. This training will focus on relevant practices that support diverse cultures and learners in programs for children birth to five years of age. Participants will learn about theories and strategies to help children, families and teachers understand and work towards a supportive and positive climate for all culture and learning styles. Visit the Oakland Schools website for more information.
- The Annual MDAEYC Fall Conference will be held Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Baker College, Auburn Hills Campus. Registration information coming soon. For more information visit www.metrodetroitaeyc.org.
- The 5th Annual MiAEYC Infant/Toddler Conference will be held Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at the Doubletree Hotel in Dearborn. A preliminary program and registration information will be posted in Mid-July. For more information visit www.miaeyc.org.
- The 19th Annual Community Caring for Healthy Sharing Regional Early Childhood Conference will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 8:00-4:15 in Howell Michigan. For more information visit www.childcare4c.com.
|
| |
|
|
Lisa Sturges
Great Start Collaborative-Oakland
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
