Since 1986, the Michigan Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a state-funded program that has helped prepare educationally disadvantaged preschoolers for kindergarten and a lifetime of learning that sets them on a path toward success.

GSRP serves more than 25,000 at-risk and low-income four-year-olds each year. But almost 5,000 additional youngsters were turned away this year after lawmakers cut $7.6 million in GSRP funding and allowed school districts to redirect $8.1 million for other purposes.

The proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 MUST restore this crucial funding and restrict its use to provide our most vulnerable youngsters with an opportunity for an early education that takes advantage of the most optimum learning period before age 5, when 90% of the brain's intellectual and emotional hardwiring is set for life.

Read more about what you can do in our latest Action Alert, which includes an email message you can easily copy and paste to send to your legislators. Use our new tools below to help in your advocacy efforts.

NEW EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVOCACY TOOLS!

View Video featuring the Kalamazoo GSRP on our YouTube Channel

Read True Stories and Q&A on GSRP in our latest Issues for Michigan's Children: "Investing in Early Childhood: Failing Our Four-Year-Olds: Budget Cuts Force Michigan Preschools to Turn Away Kids."

Read the complete statement on GSRP by Jack Kresnak, President/CEO for Michigan's Children, who says: "...Michigan is not the only state experiencing severe budget shortfalls, but we are one of only 10 shortsighted enough to cut funding for preschool."