Sandbox Party focuses on young children as key to Michigan's economic turnaround Local supporters say state must maintain investments in early childhood programs to be economically competitive

Download PDF of Sandbox Party Convention Flyer

LUDINGTON - The Mason-Lake-Oceana Counties Great Start Collaborative and Great Start Parent Coalition are gearing up to make sure local voters know about the Sandbox Party for Michigan's Youngest Learners, which was launched in Lansing today.
The nonpartisan, nonpolitical party represents the interests of Michigan's youngest residents, from birth to age 5. A growing body of research identifies this age group as vital to developing competent citizens and workers, and crucial to Michigan's economic turnaround.
"Working with other parents in the community, we know there is a groundswell of support for programs that help grow healthy, capable children," said Colleen Unsal, who leads the Mason-Lake-Oceana Great Start Parent Coalition. "The Sandbox Party gives us a rallying point for our efforts to ensure that local children start kindergarten ready to learn."
The 55 Great Start Collaboratives and Great Start Parent Coalitions statewide are coordinating local Sandbox Party outreach, including information for candidates running for office. Locally, contact colleen.unsal@hotmail.com
"Mounting evidence has convinced us that Michigan's economic future will be determined by the resources the state puts into its young children today," said Judy Y. Samelson, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corp. (ECIC), a nonprofit public corporation that administers the coalitions and is implementing a comprehensive early childhood system across Michigan.
Sandbox Party supporters include parents, representatives from leading early childhood organizations including Michigan's Children, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan, Children's Trust Fund, Michigan League for Human Services, Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children, Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health, Michigan Association of United Ways, and other state leaders.
"We can't let this election sidestep our most important special interest group - our children," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan in a written statement. "The creation of the Sandbox Party means voters now will have a focal point for directing their concerns about early childhood issues."
The Sandbox Party will hold a convention at Michigan State University's Breslin Student Events Center from 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 26, just days before the Michigan Republican and Democratic parties hold their conventions. The convention is free and open to all - kids are especially encouraged to attend with their families -- and thousands of supporters from across the state are expected. There will be family entertainment, exhibitors and special appearances by popular Michigan sports, music and news personalities. Featured entertainment includes the Michigan rock band The Verve Pipe. The band's October 2009 release, "A Family Album," features family-friendly songs.
The gubernatorial candidates have been invited to speak and to bring their families.
"We plan to fire up the troops to send home the message that all aspects of early childhood - from physical and emotional health to quality child care and prekindergarten - are crucial to Michigan's next generation," Samelson said. "We want to make sure candidates understand that Michigan voters want to know where candidates stand on early childhood - and candidates should be prepared to tell them."
Eighty-three percent of Michigan voters in a poll last year said early childhood development and education programs are an "absolute necessity" for their community; 75 percent wanted them spared from state budget cuts. Great Start was created in 2004 to restructure the state's investment in children from birth to 5. The ECIC was formed to build, grow and administer Great Start, starting with the creation of local community efforts. ECIC also focuses on building a stronger and higher quality child care system for Michigan.

Strategic Plan Released

The years from birth to five present tremendous opportunity for growth anddevelopment. When parents and caregivers have the tools they need, our children are given a sturdy foundation upon which a lifetime of succes can be built.

For the past year, community leaders and parents have come together to share their passion for our youngest citizens. Through data analysis, parent and stakeholder feedback, and community survey, we have created a plan that ensures all parents and young children have the experiences and supports necessary to be successful in Kindergarten and beyond.

This strategic plan is a culmination of our work. Included is key information regarding the first five years of life and the rationale for investing in early childhood, a list of our collaborative partners, relevant local data, long term goals and objectives, and a 1 year action agenda.

Click here to download the full report.

Great Start Critical

A Great Start is critical to our children and communities. Michigan has put three years into building the Great Start Collaborative network, which figures out - community by community - how to make sure local youngsters hit the kindergarten door ready to learn. The networks help kids get past health, learning and behavioral issues that slow their progress and cost taxpayers big bucks. Great Start is the "big change" - the new thinking Michigan parents want.
We must not lose all that we've gained.
In a recent poll of Michigan voters:
* 75% of Michigan voters say early childhood development and education programs should be protected from state budget cuts.
* 66% percent said they "strongly" think early childhood development and education is "an absolute necessity" for their community.
* 95% of respondents said the years from birth to age 5 are "extremely important" (65 percent) to learning and development or "very important" (30 percent).
* Half of likely voters said the state currently spends "too little" on early childhood development and education. * 91% said ensuring that all children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn is either "extremely important" (56 percent) or "very important" (35 percent).
Poll performed by Lake Research Partners.


Loving Guidance Conference - April 2010


Michigan's Great Start Child Care Resource Center at CMU, in conjunction with CMU's Child Development and Learning Lab and the Mt. Pleasant Association for the Education of Young Children, is pleased to announce a one-day Loving Guidance: Conscious Discipline conference on the campus of CMU. The conference, presented by Amy Speidel on behalf of Dr. Becky Bailey, is appropriate for child care and early learning professionals as well as for parents. I am attaching the conference flyer and ticket information, in hopes that you can post it on your website, share it within your collaborative, and also share it with your collaborative parent liaisons. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Cheryl Priest, Ed.D.pries1cn@cmich.edu
Download conference flyer here.