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More and better college-level training and higher salaries for Michigan students are key if Michigan is going attract – and keep – the best and brightest in the business of caring for and educating children birth to 5, according to researcher Dr. Valora Washington, president of Community Advocates for Young Learners.Who We Are
The Early Childhood Investment Corporation was founded in 2005 to be the state's focal point for information and investment in early childhood in Michigan. Among its tasks: Build a state-wide system of programs and supports for children birth to 5 and their parents, and as part of that effort lead the state's federal child care quality efforts. Why? Because child care is a critical key to early learning and development of young children.
Fifty-five Great Start Collaboratives serve as the local infrastructure for the Great Start system. These local groups of caring parents, educators, business and community leaders, clergy, law enforcement, philanthropic organizations, local public agencies and others are the "knowledge leaders" and "change agents" for young children and their families.
At the end of the day, Great Start is all about Michigan's children and families. So to inform the work of the collaboratives, 55 Great Start Parent Coalitions serve as the passionate local volunteers who provide education to community and state leaders about what's needed and the importance of investing in young children.
