Great Start for Kids - Oakland County

You are here: Home

Welcome to Oakland County's Great Start System!

	The Great Start Collaborative-Oakland (GSC-O) is committed to ensuring that all of Oakland County's youngest citizens and their families have access to services. The purpose of the Great Start Collaborative-Oakland (GSC-O) is to assure a coordinated system of community resources and support where by all Oakland County families have knowledge of and access to the services they need which will result in their children beginning kindergarten ready and eager to learn. Great Start Collaborative-Oakland (GSC-O) is a partnership of local stakeholders and parents building a comprehensive early childhood system for our community, looking at all the factors that influence a child's readiness for school and life, including: Early care and education Physical and mental health Family support and parent education

Oakland County's Children's Champion

	Great Start Collaborative-Oakland would like to recognize Merlyn Parra as our Winter 2011 Children's Champion. Merlyn has been a parent leader with us since the beginning. Merlyn is a model parent, active in her two young boy’s school. She comes to us from Venezuela and is sweet and kind hearted. It is not uncommon to see her at the door at a Parent Coalition meeting welcoming new parents as they arrive. Merlyn is also a parent leader in our work. She has worked with us to translate materials and to translate for families during Parent Café’s and playgroups. Merlyn is passionate about supporting families with a language/cultural barrier in her community and is active with other agencies and programs to do that. Thank you Merlyn for your work as a parent ambassador!!

What's New?

	Recent News: Parents!! You can now complete a developmental screening for your child (ages 5 and under) for FREE. Visit www.greatstartforkids-oakland.org/developmentalscreenings for more information and to begin the screening!! We have a blog!! Visit http://greatstartoc.wordpress.com/ to hear from both parents and professionals about everything from the experiences of being a parent to child development questions. Be sure to comment too! Interested in blogging? Contact Lindsay Warren at lindsay@lindsaywarren.com to find out more information. United Way's 211 database is now online! Individuals will still be able to call 2-1-1 24/7/365 to speak with a trained professional, however, they can now also search for needed resources online as well. Check it out at 211.UnitedWaySEM.org. The Great Start Connect training button is now live! Providers and other early childhood professionals can search for and register for professional development directly on the website, using Great Start Connect. Recent GSC-O Publications: November E-Newsletter Who Represents Me? 2011 GSC-O Accomplishments Fiscal Year 2012 Action Agenda Summary For more GSC-O publications click here.

Upcoming Events

	The Great Start Collaborative-Oakland is hosting the following events: The February Parent Coalition Meeting will be held on February 9th from 6:00-8:00 at Oakland Family Services. The topic this month will be on Advocacy and Self Regulation. Click here for more information. For a listing of upcoming meeting and events click here. The Great Start Collaborative-Oakland will have a table at the following outreach events: SAVE THE DATE!!!! The 2012 Parenting Conferece and Resource Fair will be held in two locations this year. On Saturday, March 24 from 9:00-2:00 at Norup International School in Berkley and on Saturday, April 28 from 9:00-2:00 at Community Education Resource Center (CERC) in Lake Orion. Registration information coming soon! The Parenting Kiosk is currently in TWO locations--OLHSA and the WIC office in Pontiac.

Parent Poll

Where do you go to find parenting and child development information?
Internet
Phone Book
Public Library
School
Friends and Family

Submit Survey

2111 Pontiac Lake Road • Waterford, MI 48328-2736 • 248.209.2000
Copyright 2009 by Oakland Schools