Background Information

Governor Jennifer Granholm launched Project Great Start in her 2003 State of the State address. The governor described this new initiative as a movement that challenges us all to recognize that learning begins at birth, not when a child enters school. The governor understands that our youngest citizens grow and learn at rates unprecedented in later life, setting the stage for future success in school and life. The governor intends that all Michigan citizens will recognize that investment in the earliest years of life leads to productive citizens and dividends throughout life. The governor’s commitment served as a catalyst for parents, community leaders, advocates, the Children’s Cabinet, and other state agencies to join forces in making Project Great Start a reality. Utilizing federal grant support, the blueprint for Project Great Start was developed. The seeds for a comprehensive early childhood system of services and supports, accessible to every child in Michigan from birth to kindergarten, have been planted. (To view the blueprint, go to www.greatstartforkids.org/background.htm)

The blueprint contains significant recommendations for each component of the Great Start system. Two key recommendations for immediate implementation came from the Children’s Cabinet:

· Construct the Great Start system community by community-build on local early childhood systems already in development or operating in many communities.

· Create a state-level entity to bring together the investment of the public and private sectors in support of the Great Start system-to focus communication, to support local communities, to build investment.

In response, Governor Granholm created the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) on February 22, 2005 and the Great Start system had its beginning.

ecic4kids.org