2020 Early Childhood Support Network

Data is information, and information is power! Please join Kids Count in Michigan for a webinar on using the Great Start Data Set. This resource has a wealth of information on young children relating to health, education, safety and more in your county/GSC. Participants will practice using the data set to gather information about kids in their communities and learn about current trends in child wellbeing. Get the data you need to support your work and have your data questions answered.

Review the basics of different Systems Change frameworks such as ABLe Change and Collective Impact as well as learn how other GSCs and Parent Coalitions have used a system lens to impact issues in their community and improve outcomes for children. 

Engaging various perspectives in the community is a challenge.  Learn about strategies to reach and engage diverse perspectives within your community.

Continuous learning and adaptation are two key concepts in working toward system change.  In this webinar, learn about practical tools to integrate Action Learning into your daily activities.  Learn about how meeting organization, the change agent model, and monitoring data can be used to increase the focus on system change and elevate engagement of GSC and GSPC members. 

This Great Start Collaborative Orientation is designed specifically to support new GSC directors/coordinators and parent liaisons in their unique responsibilities for the implementation of the Great Start Collaborative work throughout an ISD/RESA service area.   Please let us know if you have questions or any requests for specific accommodations.  For overnight accommodation on Monday, March 22, we have set up a special group rate at the Courtyard in Mt. Pleasant.... More

Getting Started: It is almost time again to update your Action Agenda.  At the end of this webinar, participants will have established a feasible plan to update their action agenda.  An in-person Action Agenda workshop is scheduled for April. This webinar will help ensure you get the most out of the April training.   

This webinar, being hosted by the Northern Early Childhood Support Network, in collaboration with the Regional Early Childhood Support Network, will support anyone in the field of early childhood who wants to better understand how to engage in meaningful web-based meetings and trainings to: Gain skills in organizing communities of practice and delivering learning opportunities to adult learners through video/audio conferencing, online meetings, chat, and mobile collaboration Make connections... More

This webinar, being hosted by the Eastern Early Childhood Support Network, in collaboration with the Regional Early Childhood Support Network, will support anyone in the field of early childhood who wants to better understand how to engage in meaningful web-based meetings and trainings to: Gain skills in organizing communities of practice and delivering learning opportunities to adult learners through video/audio conferencing, online meetings, chat, and mobile collaboration Make connections ... More

This webinar, being hosted by the Northern Early Childhood Support Network, in collaboration with the Regional Early Childhood Support Network, will support anyone in the field of early childhood who wants to better understand how to engage in meaningful web-based meetings and trainings to:  Understand what the concept of community means in a virtual space Learn the principles associated with helping people come together in community Understand the importance of creating agreement... More

This webinar, being hosted by the Eastern Early Childhood Support Network, in collaboration with the Regional Early Childhood Support Network, will support anyone in the field of early childhood who wants to better understand how to engage in meaningful web-based meetings and trainings to:  Understand what the concept of community means in a virtual space Learn the principles associated with helping people come together in community Understand the importance of creating agreements... More

This webinar, being hosted by the Northern Early Childhood Support Network, in collaboration with the Regional Early Childhood Support Network, will support anyone in the field of early childhood who wants to better understand how to engage in meaningful web-based meetings and trainings to: Gain skills in facilitating individual reflection and group discussions Learn how they can best support a wide variety of participants by pulling from universal design for learning principles Expres... More

This webinar, being hosted by the Eastern Early Childhood Support Network, in collaboration with the Regional Early Childhood Support Network, will support anyone in the field of early childhood who wants to better understand how to engage in meaningful web-based meetings and trainings to: Gain skills in facilitating individual reflection and group discussions Learn how they can best support a wide variety of participants by pulling from universal design for learning principles Express... More

This call is an opportunity to share emerging guidance, strategies for operating, and supporting local systems during COVID-19.   

This convening is for statewide parent liaisons to share information and gain resources.  

A family’s economic security and access to societal resources is important to support the development of a growing child’s brain and body. Economic security can be defined in a variety of ways and differ based on the program a family is trying to access.  What does employment and income look like in Michigan? What’s the significance of 100% vs 180% of the federal poverty level? How else can we support families—and who are they? All those answers and more will be cov... More

This call will be to touch base regarding recent guidance from MDE, share information, build relationships and exchange ideas within the Eastern Early Childhood Support Network GSC Directors and Parent Liaisons.

If you’re not a self-proclaimed “data nerd”, the Great Start Data Set can be intimidating. Plus, there’s so much there—where do you start? Designed around our planning process, join the Kids Count team for extremely hands-on training for those answers and more. Leave with a better understanding of the breadth of information that’s available, more comfort finding local information, and using multiple data points and visuals to tell a story to the community or f... More

If you’re not a self-proclaimed “data nerd”, the Great Start Data Set can be intimidating. Plus, there’s so much there—where do you start? Designed around our planning process, join the Kids Count team for extremely hands-on training for those answers and more. Leave with a better understanding of the breadth of information that’s available, more comfort finding local information, and using multiple data points and visuals to tell a story to the community or f... More

Module One focuses on an overview of the Great Start Initiative and includes a look at the document "Great Start, Great Investment, Great Future" Plan.  It also focuses on the 32P Section Grants.  It will provide a "big picture" of Great Start.

This call will be to touch base regarding recent guidance from MDE, share information, build relationships and exchange ideas within the Eastern Early Childhood Support Network GSC Directors and Parent Liaisons.

This module covers the purposes of Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions as well as their roles and responsibilities.  Key relationships in the work are also highlighted. 

This module gives an overview of key guiding documents to be aware of related to your position.  Great Start To Quality is reviewed and next steps to training and technical assistance are covered. An additional 30 minutes has been added to this module for additional questions and answers that participants may have from all 3 of the Great Start Orientation modules.

Welcome to the Early Childhood Support Networks' first Great Start Network Annual Statewide Convening! This virtual event is in partnership with the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Office of Great Start (OGS). Each of our three half-day sessions has a different focus: DAY ONE: August 4 - 9:00am - 12:00pm - We’re All in this Together DAY TWO: August 5 - 8:15am - 12:30pm - Living into Your Values DAY THREE: August 6 - 1:00pm ... More

We are pleased to announce that we will be offering a virtual Strengthening Families™ training with trainers from ECIC, as a part of the TA supports available to you.  Strengthening Families is a research-based framework developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) to increase family strengths, enhance child development and reduce child abuse and neglect.  This training will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the Strengthening Fami... More

Holding Parent Cafés are an effective way to support participants in strengthening the Protective Factors in their lives and supports the leadership development of families involved in your local Parent Coalition and Collaborative.  Please join us and our guest trainers from ECIC for this two-hour training that will support you in: developing an understanding of the purpose and value of the Parent Café model;  understanding the key components of a Parent Caf&eac... More

If you have experience conducting parent cafés, in-person or virtually, you have likely encountered some minor challenges to navigate or have had questions come up that you would like to talk with others about.  Join us for this learning community/training opportunity where we will pose some questions for you to consider, offer tips and suggestions that the ECIC TA team has found helpful and invite you to share your successful strategies and challenges.   Registration ... More

This call is for GSC Directors/Coordinators in the Eastern Resource Center area and the Resource Center Directors.  It will focus on Outcome 3 in the work plan/32P application.  The language for this outcome was recently revised and shared on "Tuesday Talks with Rachel and Rita" on Tuesday, August 18.  This call will include information, ideas, and brainstorming.  We are hoping the discussion will provide clarity and ideas for work that could be included in GSC and RC work pl... More

Module One focuses on an overview of the Great Start Initiative and includes a look at the document "Great Start, Great Investment, Great Future" Plan.  It also focuses on the 32P Section Grants.  It will provide a "big picture" of Great Start.

This module covers the purposes of Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions as well as their roles and responsibilities.  Key relationships in the work are also highlighted. 

This module gives an overview of key guiding documents to be aware of related to your position.  Great Start To Quality is reviewed and next steps to training and technical assistance are covered. An additional 30 minutes has been added to this module for additional questions and answers that participants may have from all 3 of the Great Start Orientation modules.

PITC: Six Essential Practices for Relationship Based CareProgram for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) considers a relationship-based approach to caring for infants and toddlers essential.  PITC believes responsive, respectful care in a relationship is key for supporting early learning, rather than developing lessons for infants to master.  Adults who implement the PITC find ways to allow for, expand, adapt, and encourage infants' efforts to pursue their inborn learning agenda. This series wi... More

PITC: Six Essential Practices for Relationship Based CareProgram for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) considers a relationship-based approach to caring for infants and toddlers essential.  PITC believes responsive, respectful care in a relationship is key for supporting early learning, rather than developing lessons for infants to master.  Adults who implement the PITC find ways to allow for, expand, adapt, and encourage infants' efforts to pursue their inborn learning agenda. This series wi... More

PITC: Six Essential Practices for Relationship Based CareProgram for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) considers a relationship-based approach to caring for infants and toddlers essential.  PITC believes responsive, respectful care in a relationship is key for supporting early learning, rather than developing lessons for infants to master.  Adults who implement the PITC find ways to allow for, expand, adapt, and encourage infants' efforts to pursue their inborn learning agenda. This series wi... More

This call is for Resource Center Directors, GSC Directors/Coordinators and Parent Liaisons.  It will focus on Outcome 3 in the work plan/32P application.  This call will include information, ideas, and brainstorming.  We are hoping the discussion will provide clarity and ideas for work that could be included in GSC and RC work plans that will continue to increase access to high-quality early care and education supports and services.

PITC: Six Essential Practices for Relationship Based CareProgram for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) considers a relationship-based approach to caring for infants and toddlers essential.  PITC believes responsive, respectful care in a relationship is key for supporting early learning, rather than developing lessons for infants to master.  Adults who implement the PITC find ways to allow for, expand, adapt, and encourage infants' efforts to pursue their inborn learning agenda. This series wi... More

How do I know how kids are doing, statewide, and in my area? Please join Kids Count in Michigan for a webinar on using the Great Start Data Set. This tool provides you with information to track and evaluate the four early childhood outcomes. Participants will learn about statewide trends in child well-being and practice using the data set to gather information about kids in their communities. Get the data you need to support your work and improve outcomes for kids! Please come prepared for a han... More

Module One focuses on an overview of the Great Start Initiative and includes a look at the document "Great Start, Great Investment, Great Future" Plan.  It also focuses on the 32P Section Grants.  It will provide a "big picture" of Great Start.

PITC: Six Essential Practices for Relationship Based CareProgram for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) considers a relationship-based approach to caring for infants and toddlers essential.  PITC believes responsive, respectful care in a relationship is key for supporting early learning, rather than developing lessons for infants to master.  Adults who implement the PITC find ways to allow for, expand, adapt, and encourage infants' efforts to pursue their inborn learning agenda. This series wi... More

This module covers the purposes of Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions as well as their roles and responsibilities.  Key relationships in the work are also highlighted. 

Would you like to learn more about Zoom? Bring your questions for this interactive conversation about the features of Zoom for meetings and trainings.

GSC Statewide Parent Liaison Meeting

This module gives an overview of key guiding documents to be aware of related to your position.  Great Start To Quality is reviewed and next steps to training and technical assistance are covered.

PITC: Six Essential Practices for Relationship Based CareProgram for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) considers a relationship-based approach to caring for infants and toddlers essential.  PITC believes responsive, respectful care in a relationship is key for supporting early learning, rather than developing lessons for infants to master.  Adults who implement the PITC find ways to allow for, expand, adapt, and encourage infants' efforts to pursue their inborn learning agenda. This series wi... More