Our Mission
To assure a coordinated system of community resources and support to help all Mason, Lake and Oceana County families to provide a great start for their children from pre-birth to age five.
“Children learn more from birth to age three than any other time in life. During this time, what we do matters and will determine the way they learn, think, and behave forever.” – Gov. Jennifer Granholm, State of the State Address 2003
In 2003, Governor Granholm launched the Great Start Initiative with her State of the State Address. In 2005, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation was formed. Fifteen influential state leaders were invited to serve on the Executive Committee, and by 2007 thirty eight Intermediate School Districts had received funding to begin the work of building a comprehensive early childhood system in their service areas.
In October of 2008, the Mason Lake and Oceana Great Start Collaborative was formed with ECIC guidance and funding. The Mason Lake Oceana GSC is a partnership of community leaders, business owners, charitable and faith based organizations, health and human service agencies, educators, and parents. Their charge is to create a local system for children birth to five that ensures that every child in Mason, Lake, and Oceana counties enters school safe, healthy, and eager to succeed.
The Collaborative:
-engages community partners in assessing, planning, and coordinating local early childhood resources
- addresses the factors that influence a child’s readiness for school and life
- promotes public awareness about issues affecting young children and their families
- advocates for quality early childhood programs and services
