Contact Information
Great Start for Kids
Attn: Joan Blough
1738 Commonwealth Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Phone: 269-345-5968
Fax: 517-484-6549
info@greatstartforkids.org

Early childhood comprehensive System Project work group strategies

Work group final discussions will be posted as they are received by the work group chairs.

• Physical Health
• Social and Emotional Health
• Early Care and Education
• Family Support and Parent Education
• Basic Needs, Economic Stability, and Safety
• Early Childhood System Infrastructure

Beginning in July and ending this month, six work groups working on behalf of the Early Childhood Comprehensive System (ECCS) Project have dedicated themselves to

• conducting an analysis of the current status of each indicator assigned to the work  groups in order to gain an understanding of the current status of young children and their families;
• reviewing research and best practice literature to determine evidence-based strategies that can improve results for children, families, and communities; and
• identifying internal and external partners for implementation strategies.

There have been postings of the dialogue on the analysis conducted by the work groups over the past several months (see the Discussion and Background pages).  This final series of postings will be of the strategies that each work group is recommending for inclusion in the strategic plan for Michigan's early childhood system.

The ECCS Project is interested in your comments on the strategies.  As you review the strategies, we ask you to consider the following questions:

1. What needs to be added or changed to make the strategies understandable and clear?
2. Based on a review of the work group's previous dialogues (see the Discussion page), are there other strategies that need to be considered?

All comments on recommended strategies must be received by Tuesday, October 26, 2004.  The ECCS project will present the initial version of Michigan's strategic plan for a comprehensive early childhood system to the Governor's Children's Cabinet and the Children's Action Network on November 8, 2004.

Please send your comments to jlafay@pscinc.com or bloughj@michigan.gov.