Communications Plan

Operating Guidelines

Report to the Community

Letter from our Director

Members and Partners

Strategic Plan 2010 (large file may take a while to download!)

From our Director...

Greetings to everyone, and welcome to the Marquette-Alger Great Start Collaborative website!

We are off to a Great Start and I am excited to be a part of this initiative. This website provides you with lots of important information regarding what we are all about; our vision, mission, purpose, results from the upcoming Local Early Childhood System Assessment, the written comprehensive Strategic Action Plan based on the system assessment, as well as our triumphs along the way. Check back often for updates and please use the links provided on the home page to learn more about our partner organizations.

Children are our future, and we need to be sure they are provided with the greatest start in life possible. To this end, we have completed our data collection and analysis of the Great Start System Components including physical health care, social and emotional health care, parenting education and family support, early care and education, and basic needs/economic security/child safety. We have completed the Strategic Review over the summer and our Early Childhood Infrastructure Review  is under way.

We are working to enhance existing early childhood collaboration and coordination, engage all stakeholders in the planning implementation and coordination of services to promote community awareness of early childhood issues, and help advocate for quality early childhood programs and services. Our vision: a Great Start for every child in Marquette and Alger counties; safe, healthy and eager to succeed in their education and in life.

I am proud of our GSC membership, representing quite a diverse section of our two-county area. We have over 30 organizations and service areas represented on our Collaborative including judges; CEO’s/Directors of public health; Human Services, and Community Mental Health; AMCAB/Headstart; faith-based organizations; business leaders; MSU Extension: philanthropic and charitable organizations; elected officials; those providing services to minority populations; 4-C’s of the UP; educational representatives; Early On; Special Education Director; United Way, and several parents. We are a Collaborative that promises to make a difference in our communities! If you are interested in joining us, please contact me.

Parents, check out our Parent Coalition page and how to contact our Parent Liaisons to become involved in our Marquette and Alger County Parent Coalitions. The monthly meetings are chock full of interesting information, time for networking with other parents, opportunities for you to build on leadership and advocacy skills to benefit young children, a parent share time, and participation in decision-making processes designed to make a difference in your community. We provide quality childcare on-site during the meetings. Plans are being made for some upcoming events and activities for YOU. Don’t hesitate to call Shawn today!

Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or your comments about this important work.

Kathy Lammi

GSC Director for Marquette and Alger Counties

906.226.5157  klammi@maresa.org