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Welcome to Great Start Collaborative Saginaw County

There are over 12,200 children under the age of 5 living in Saginaw County. Brain research has shown us that by age 4, 85% of a child's brain is formed.  Those first few years of life are pivotal in shaping a child's future!

The Saginaw Great Start Collaborative is a partnership of parents, community agencies, business leaders, educators, health care providers, faith and philanthropic leaders - all working together and committed to establishing and maintaining a comprehensive early childhood system that addresses all factors that have an impact on a child's readiness for school and life. A priority this year is to reduce infant mortality in our community.

Our countywide 2011 -2012 accomplishments include parent involvement in improving the local resources, parenting classes, training opportunities.  Our local collaborative is part of a larger state-wide Great Start system . The Great Start system is funded by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, a public corporation formed in 2005.

All children deserve a healthy foundation in life! To learn more or get involved, please contact Julie Kozan at 989-399-7452 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In Michigan, we believe social and emotional health matters!

Resources to promote social and emotional health

The Michigan Social and Emotional Health Tool kit can be used across systems and communities in addressing social and emotional health in children. The toolkit includes a fact sheet, a power point and  a guide for families.  State and local partners contributed to the toolkit including the Great Start  Systems Team, with partners from the Michigan Department of Community Health, Office of Great Start , The Michigan Department of Human Services, and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.  The toolkit can be accessed at http://www.michigan.gov/socialemotionalhealth.

Michigan's Right Start Report is Just Out

If you are looking for a concise report about the state of our babies, children, mothers and fathers in Michigan and Saginaw look over the Right Start Report just released May 8, 2013.

Parent's Views at the Zoo

I would like to share with you some comments our Great Start Parent Coalition gathered at a May 2 regional Great Start Day at the Zoo, which drew 2,400 people for the free afternoon.

Parents attending said that To Succeed, All Children Need:

“Build community, not security systems. Kids don’t need to be protected to the point of isolation and terror. They need to learn that other people are key to success.”

“Keep schools open and more teachers. Also a mentor classroom so every student has a chance to learn and more parents can push their children.”

“Smaller class sizes, physical education and music classes.”

“Children need rules, boundaries and a whole lot of love.”

“Schools need to be structured and have consistency and safe environments.”

“A redesign of our education systems. Most of what students will learn in the last five years of school will be outdated or obsolete. How do we educate in this new age? Focus on this answer.”

Read more...

Early Start Scholarships

Are you struggling to afford childcare for your little one?

Let Early Start Scholarships help.

The Women's Caring Program's Early Start scholarship offers financial help to enable children ages birth through two to participate in safe, licensed care where their growth and development – and your peace of mind – are the primary goals. Click here to learn more.

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The Great Start to Quality Eastern Resource Center serves Arenac, Bay, Huron, Lapeer, Saginaw, Sanilac, St. Clair and Tuscola counties.

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