The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) has provided a new logo for Michigan's Great Start Collaboratives. The logo makes the relationship between the local collaboratives and the ECIC clear to all who see it. You will now see this logo on all of Great Start Collaborative-Wayne's materials and we hope that you will begin to immediately identify it with our work to ensure "a Great Start for every child in Wayne County:safe, healthy and ready to succeed in school and in life."

After many months of gathering data, interviewing service providers, holding focus groups all over the county and facilitating groups of parents and providers meeting to prioritize and set goals, we have a strategic plan. Both the full three-year plan and the Year 1 Early Childhood Action Agenda have been submitted to the ECIC. We are now on the way to improving outcomes for Wayne County's youngest children. Hundreds of people from around the county were involved in the process and many of them are now committing to the work that lies ahead.

During this three year period, there are two goals in each area (Physical Health, Social-Emotional Health, Parent Edcuation and Family Support, Early Care and Education and Meeting Basic Needs/Economic Security/Child Safety) to improve the lives of our infants, toddlers, and young children. All of the pieces developed along the way have been posted on the website at www.greatstartcollaborativewayne.org under the category of Reports and Data. Please do some reading about the state of Wayne County's Children and decide where you want to help.

Put Monday, April 28th on your calendar as we come together at the Doubletree-Dearborn in Detroit to roll out the Early Childhood Action Agenda. The day will also showcase several programs around Wayne County serving young children and their families with a feature called "Spotlight on Excellence". The collaborative will present its inaugural "Great Start Children's Champion: award to one of Wayne County's longstanding child advocates, Jack Kresnak. Jack, a 38 year veteran reporter for the Detroit Free Press and a tireless crusader for children, was recently named President and CEO of Michigan's Children, a statewide, independent voice for children and their families. Registration information will be out soon!