Great Start Collaborative-Oakland 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.
August/2009
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 the Oakland County Child Care Council (4C) staff and board members as our July and August Children's Champion.  Thank you for partnering with the GSC-O and representing the voice of quality childcare on subcommittees and workgroups.  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

Saturday, August 8 Parent Coalition Picnic Friendship Park, Lake Orion

Thursday, August 13

Basic Needs Subcommittee Meeting

Oakland County Child Care Council, Bloomfield Hills    

Thursday, August 13 Early Care and Education Subcommittee Meeting (rescheduled) Oakland Schools, Waterford
Wednesday, August 19
 Steering Committee
 Oakland Schools, Waterford
Thursday, July 23 Parenting Education & Family Support Subcommittee Meeting Carehouse, Pontiac
Monday, August 31 Community Engagement Workgroup Meeting (rescheduled)
Oakland Schools, Waterford

Tuesday, September 1 Early Care and Education Subcommittee Meeting
Oakland Schools, Waterford    

Wednesday, September 2

 Social & Emotional Health Subcommittee Meeting Easter Seals, Pontiac


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
  • Is it a matter of dollars or sense that all children will start school ready to learn and succeed?
    • Common sense tells us parents are children's first teachers and they are responsible for their child's development.  Balance sheets show that dollars invested to support parents and young children yield long term savings for communities and schools.  The easy answer to the question of dollars or sense is both.
    • A more difficult question arises when you study the chart below.  Why don't we invest more in the very young to get the best return on investment?
    • Click here to watch a powerful video from The First Five Years Fund, "Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything."
  • Your 2 cents worth
    • A majority of Michigan voters see early childhood development and education programs as an absolute necessity for their community.  Click here poll results. 
    • Yet programs and services for children have been hit hard by budget cuts and may suffer further crippling blows this summer.
    • In this NPR interview, Dr. James Heckman advocates that investing in children from birth to five years of age is essential and pays enormous dividends.
    • Michigan legislators have an opportunity to use taxpayer dollars to support programs that have lasting benefits for all citizens.  Does your legislator understand the value of early childhood investment.  Let your voice be heard.
  • Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions
    • Across Michigan 771,129 children ages 0-5 are supported through the work of 55 local Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions now serving every county.  They have leveraged $6 million in private and public funds for programs and activities for a system of support that will prepare the next generation of Michigan citizens for a "great start" in school and in life.

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Recent Research and Resources
  • The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Funds) provides new opportunities to help the United States by creating new jobs and supporting programs which provide essential services to young children and their families.  
    • Joan Lombardi provides recommendations for states and communities to consider in this article.
  • Below are some ARRA resources which provide additional information about the ways that ARRA can benefit young children and their families.
    • ARRA Resource #1: Infants and Toddlers in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Planning Tools for States
      • This Zero to Three publication provides links and short explanations of key resources for states and are divided into two categories, Planning Tools and Other Resources.
    • ARRA Resource #2: Title I Early Education: Models for Using ARRA Funds
      • For school districts interested in using Title I money for early childhood programs, the Center for Law and Social Policy provides helpful information on this webpage. 
    • ARRA Resource #3: Navigating the Opportunities for Families with Young Children-An Interactive Tool
      • Zero to Three's Policy Center provides this interactive tool to help practitioners and policy makers understand ARRA funding resources for infants, toddlers and their families. 
    • ARRA Resource #4: How ARRA Impacts Special Education and Early Intervention
      • The Council for Exceptional Children has published this Q&A Report which answers questions concerning ARRA's impact on state's, schools and students
    • ARRA Resource #5: Planning the Possible, How Schools Can Use Stimulus Dollars for Lasting Impact
      • ASCD has released a report to aid educators and decision makers in their understanding of how to best use the stimulus dollars dedicated to education.
    • ARRA Resource # 6: Race to the Top: Promising State Models
      • Jennifer Dounay with the Education Commission of the States authored a brief describing the U.S. Department of Education's "Race to the Top" Incentive Program

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 State Court Administrative Office-Child Welfare Services Division presents IDEA: Special Education Issues to be held on Monday, August 31, 2009 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in Lansing.  This conference will address the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which provides specific educational rights to disabled children and their families.  For more information visit www.childcrt.org
  • 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.
  • The 17th Annual Parenting Awareness Michigan (PAM) Conference and 2010 PAM Kickoff will be held on Monday, November 9, 2009 in Lansing.  For more information visit www.preventionnetwork.org
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