|
Great
start community conversation: vision
Conversation
ended September 30, 2003
Documents
used for this conversation:
Response
from Michigan Communities: What should Michigan’s vision
be for all young children and their families?
Communities
throughout the state held conversations about Michigan’s vision
of the future for all young children and their families. Despite
a very short time to convene citizens, 47 community conversations
were sponsored by a wide range of organizations. Over 1,000 citizens
from 34 Michigan counties participated. Two statewide organizations—the
Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and the
Michigan Fatherhood Coalition—also provided responses. For
a list of the counties and the sponsoring organizations click here.
Themes
from Community Conversations: Michigan’s Vision for Young
Children and Their Families
Children
must be Michigan’s number one priority and resource for the
future.
Desired results:
- All children live in caring environments, are
nurtured, and have high self-esteem
- No child is left behind and no family is left
out—every child has the same opportunities and every parent
has universal access to early childhood services and supports
- There is never a waiting list for early childhood
services and supports
- Children participate in a continuum of high-quality,
developmentally appropriate services and supports, according to
developmental need
- All children have health insurance and a regular
health care provider
- All children receive regular developmental,
health, and dental screenings and needed follow-up services
- All children are immunized
- Children are free of emotional and physical
neglect and abuse
We must
give parents the tools they need to be their child’s first
and most important teacher.
Desired results:
- Parents are welcomed, valued, and respected
by their community
- Nonjudgmental, nonstigmatizing parent education
is provided in every community to all parents who desire it
- Parents express value for education and know
what to do to support their child’s health and development
- Parents have books and developmentally appropriate
toys for their children
- Parent involvement is the norm and partnering
with parents is expected
- Access to early childhood services and supports
is quick and simple
- Early childhood services and supports are family-centered,
tailored to family culture and diversity
To give
children early learning opportunities, the basic needs of Michigan’s
families must be met.
Desired results:
- Public funding priorities are clear—early
childhood vs. corrections, support success vs. wait for failure,
prevention vs. remediation
- Children can play outside, in their neighborhoods,
without fear
- Children and parents have the food they need,
year round
- Parents can easily travel where they need to
go for work, school, and life
- Families have safe, affordable housing
- Families have the clothing they need to be
comfortable whatever the weather
- Parents are empowered to say “no”
to outside pressures and put their children’s needs first
Communities
welcome, value, and act on behalf of young children and their families.
Desired results:
- Communities are fully aware of the utmost importance
of investing in children’s early years
- Communities have shared indicators of success
for early childhood health and development, with the outcome being
school readiness
- Parents and all sectors of the community are
engaged in civic and community life activities in support of young
children
- All sectors of the community (parents, schools,
businesses, faith-based organizations, health, the media, etc.)
work together on behalf of young children
- Community-based information about early childhood
is widely available in print and digital formats
- Public school code provides a free, appropriate
public education from birth to high school graduation
The significant
response of Michigan communities has produced many additional and
more specific ideas that will be used to launch the next steps in
the Great Start citizen dialogue. Thank you to all who are contributing
time and ideas on behalf of young children.
|
