Objective 1.1:
Improve Early Childhood partners’ knowledge of services available to families
- 1.1.1 Create a centralized location for all available resources to be displayed and accessed
- 1.1.2 Promote opportunities for early childhood partners to network
Objective 1.2:
Improve Early Childhood partners’ knowledge of how to refer families to available services
- 1.2.1 Create a cross reference tool for making referrals, that identifies contact information and eligibility requirements for each program
Objective 1.3:
Increase Early Childhood Partner participation within the Great Start Collaborative
- 1.3.1 Create an infrastructure that promotes shared goals and understanding across early childhood providers
Goal 2
There will be a common understanding of school readiness and the importance of early childhood learning.
There will be a common understanding of school readiness and the importance of early childhood learning
Objective 2.1:
Provide necessary structure for early childhood partners to develop school readiness common language
- 2.1.1 Identify partners and convene a cross sector workgroup from the community to specifically address school readiness common language (MISD)
- 2.1.2 Develop school readiness common language for county wide use (MISD)
- 2.1.3 Create publications that include a child developmental continuum that can be used to communicate with schools, education professionals and the community at large (MISD)
- 2.1.4 Disseminate consistent School Readiness information to community, schools, and families county wide (MISD)
Objective 2.2:
Increase awareness and understanding of school readiness and child development from birth to age 8 for parents and the community
- 2.2.1 Provide training and opportunities for parents, preschool and K-12 teachers and the community at large to have access to consistent information regarding school readiness and child development from birth to age 8.
Objective 2.3:
Increase communication between preschool staff, kindergarten staff, early elementary staff, parents and the community at large regarding school readiness targets and transitions
- 2.3.1 Develop a process for K and PK teachers to meet regularly to exchange information and plan for transitions (WMISD)
- 2.3.2 Include early elementary (K through 3rd grade) teachers and administrators in School Readiness Advisory Committee meetings.
Objective 2.4:
Support access to a variety of preschool options for three and four year olds regardless of ability to pay
- 2.4.1 Support the Manistee County Preschool Scholarship Program (MISD)
- 2.4.2 Wexford Missaukee area (WMISD) will consider beginning a preschool scholarship program following the lead of the Manistee group (MISD)
Goal 3
Parents will have access to developmentally appropriate materials and supports available for use at home with their children.
Objective 3.1:
Help parents understand what is developmentally appropriate behavior and what tools or toys can help promote early learning
- 3.1.1 Teach and promote natural learning opportunities in everyday experiences
- 3.1.2 Promote Cares Kits and explain to parents and others how to use these kits
- 3.1.3 Provide information to parents about what is developmentally appropriate behavior
Objective 3.2
Increase parent awareness of community resources and events
- 3.2.1 Increase resource and event materials provided during home visitor program visits
- 3.2.2 Utilize social media and the business community to promote resources and events
Goal 4
Services and supports to families will be available and easily accessible in a stigma/judgement free environment
Objective 4.1:
Providers will better understand the complex needs of families and have the skills/resources/information/tools to serve them
- 4.1.1 Assess the training needs of local service providers (agency staff, child care providers, early childhood educators, etc.) and implement on-going system of professional development including orientation and follow up
- 4.1.2 Community resources to inform and support parents will be provided in a family-friendly format
Objective 4.2:
Families will be better able to access the system of services available in the community
- 4.2.1 Parents have skills and resources to successfully advocate for their children’s needs
- 4.2.2 Parents will have a voice in system planning and service delivery