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Great Start

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Everything you need to know Great Start Tuscola

Governor Jennifer Granholm launched Project Great Start in her 2005 State of the State address. The governor described this new initiative as a movement that challenges us all to recognize that education begins at birth, not when a child enters school. Whether you are a parent, a professional, or anyone involved in the life of a child, we invite you to participate in Project Great Start.

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.

Great Start Tuscola County is one of 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, churches/church 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. 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.

Download our Great Start Strategic Plan (Jan 2017 to Dec 2019 edition) →

Mission

The purpose of Great Start is to assure a coordinated system of community resources and supports to help all Tuscola County families provide a great start for their children from birth to age five.

About

Tuscola Great Start works to ensure every child in Tuscola County is safe, healthy, eager and ready to succeed in school and become contributing, productive members of an economically stable Tuscola County.

Overview

Tuscola Great Start works to ensure every child in Tuscola County is safe, healthy, eager and ready to succeed in school and become contributing, productive members of an economically stable Tuscola County.

Here's what the community is saying

“I am overwhelmed by the impact I'm already seeing in my children’s lives…If you ever need an advocate for the Conscious Discipline Classes, please let me know and I would be happy to be there to help spread this word.”

“I have learned so many tools I am going to utilize to help my children and my family. Thank you so much!”

“I just love everything Great Start has to offer and i know I can contact you if I need help or info on anything.”

“My girls always love the At Home Learning Kits and the projects that they get to do together. And it’s nice because they are educational!”

“My daughter loves these kits. It makes her feel special, and she loves being able to share them with her brothers and mommy. The boys think the activities are fun, too, even though they are My daughter loved the kit this month! We spend a couple hours building houses, bridges ect., and she loved it! All the kits we have gotten keep her attention longer then activities we have tried at home so we love them!”

“My daughter loves these educational kits. It makes her feel special and she loves being able to share them with her brothers and mommy. The boys think the activities are fun too even though they are 12 and 9 they still enjoy doing them and try to help their sister out.”

“My girls always love the kits and the projects that they get to do together. And its nice because they are educational.”

“These kits are amazing. These guys do a great job putting these together. Thank you so much.”

“Great start collaboration play dates and activities have been a God send for my daughter and I. Great start collaborative Staff are knowledgeable, professional, approachable and friendly. I highly recommend that people with children come and check out an event at Great start collaborative.”

- Shannon(Parent)

“I was given new opportunities with Great Start and it has been a positive impact in our lives.”

- Sarah(Parent)

“ Thank you for getting a grant that allowed our kids to take home free math kits! The math kits are of superior quality and the kids love them! We have really enjoyed using them. The note from our Sheriff built a connection to our community and real live math!”

- Caring Parent

" Thanks to a connection made through Great Start, Senator Green was able to help a parent get needed education in their local school district for a young child.” ”

- Representative for Senator Green

“Since joining Great Start, I feel my voice has only become stronger in advocating for my child! You have led me to many resources and great opportunities to share with my child!"

- Katrina(parent member)

"Loved the note from Sheriff Skrent - connection to our community and real life math!"

“Very informational regarding transportation to mental health services – my families are unaware of this service!"

- Amber(health provider)

“ I am a new mom that was gifted a wonderful baby bag full of very useful items, and I am very grateful and my heart is so full. Thank you so much. Every penny counts in our family-so the gift was very meaningful to us! God Bless"

-Sharon(parent)

“The training exceeded my expectations. There was so much I didn’t know!"

“Very informative and mind-blowing training! Thank you!"

“My child loves all of the activities and it is always a wonderful time when not on the tablet!"

“The math kit is amazing. Thank you so much. She absolutely loves it."

“We loved the math kit and explored with it as soon as we opened it. Thank you!"

“Thank you for the math kit! Both my kids love it!"

Here's what the community is saying

“Knowing and learning the developmental stages of each age with the resources and guides provided for the adults has helped me understand play and my child’s milestones.”

“I have learned so many tools I am going to utilize to help my children and my family. Thank you so much!”

“The Conscious Discipline Parenting Class has given me specific ideas in categories to allow me to hit on each area of play and development to best assist my children in gaining skills and learning about the world around them.”

“My girls always love the At Home Learning Kits and the projects that they get to do together. And it’s nice because they are educational!”

“My child loves all of the activities and it is always a wonderful time when not on the tablet!"

“I think the biggest thing I’m going to take away from this knowledge is to get myself to that executive state before addressing whatever issue was going on with my child, so that I can handle it with a calm, clear mind.”

“Thank you for the math kit! Both my kids love it!"

“I hope to use this knowledge every day! When the class first started I realized that we were already using some of these skills but learned more in depth about them and how to put them to work even more.”

“My girls always love the kits and the projects that they get to do together. And its nice because they are educational.”

“These kits are amazing. These guys do a great job putting these together. Thank you so much.”

“The math kit is amazing. Thank you so much. She absolutely loves it."

“Great start collaboration play dates and activities have been a God send for my daughter and I. Great start collaborative Staff are knowledgeable, professional, approachable and friendly. I highly recommend that people with children come and check out an event at Great start collaborative.”

- Shannon(Parent)

“Very informative and mind-blowing training! Thank you!"

“I was given new opportunities with Great Start and it has been a positive impact in our lives.”

- Sarah(Parent)

“ I am a new mom that was gifted a wonderful baby bag full of very useful items, and I am very grateful and my heart is so full. Thank you so much. Every penny counts in our family-so the gift was very meaningful to us! God Bless"

-Sharon(parent)

“Very informational regarding transportation to mental health services – my families are unaware of this service!"

- Amber(health provider)

“The training exceeded my expectations. There was so much I didn’t know!"

Great Start Tuscola

About us

Tuscola Great Start works to ensure every child in Tuscola County is safe, healthy, eager and ready to succeed in school and become contributing, productive members of an economically stable Tuscola County.

Quick links

Ages and Stages
Resource Guide
Milestones App
Kids Count
Family Coalition
MDHHS

Imagination Library
Michigan’s Children
ACES Survey
Tuscola County Preschool
United Way Airs 211
Contact

These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education

Contact

Great Start Tuscola

1401 Cleaver Rd
Caro, MI 48723

(989) 673-2144 ext 30325

greatstarttuscola@gmail.com