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

Great Start Collaborative-Oakland would like to recognize Oakland Family Services as our Spring 2010 Children's Champion. Oakland Family Services is an Early On partner in Service Coordination and Service Delivery System.  They are also the new North Oakland County Early Learning Community Hub.  Finally, they offer such services as the Father's Resource Center, Lekotek, Fussy Baby and the Children's Learning Center.  They have partnered with GSC-O to be the host site for Parent Coalition meetings and were the host site for our August Press Conference.  Thank you for the work you do towards making Oakland County a great place for young families to live.  

The Great Start Collaborative-Oakland would like to recognize two Oakland County residents appointed by the Governor to the ECIC Executive Committee and Corporate Board:

• Kenneth Gutman, of West Bloomfield, superintendent of Lake Orion Community Schools, was appointed to represent the Senate Majority Leader for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2012. Gutman was also appointed to the ECIC Corporation Board for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.

• Anne Mervenne, of Royal Oak, president and CEO of Mervenne & Company, who was appointed to succeed Stephen Ewing, who resigned, for a term expiring July 22, 2012. Mervenne was also appointed to the ECIC Corporation Board for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor.