In September of 2008, ECIC launched the Children of Color initiative. This initiative is designed to increase our knowledge about the issues of children of color throughout Michigan. We have begun this work with a series of local summits, each aimed at one part of Michigan's diverse population. At these sessions we heard from local representatives who share a passion for young children and families. The focus of the conversation was on the unique challenges and opportunities for children and families of that particular population.

These community conversations are part of our effort to be sure that our work best reflects the issues and concerns of people in local communities. The job of building a coordinated system of community resources and supports to assist communities in serving children and families requires that we understand who will use this system and their unique challenges.

Respecting the fact that local communities can better address the needs of their community is an important value that ECIC stresses at every opportunity. But local communities, like ECIC, must be more attuned to the fact that most communities are diverse. As a result, we/they must be deliberate in an effort to listen, understand and apply that knowledge when building that system. Moreover, unless the decision-maker table is as diverse as the community it serves, that system is doomed to fail some constituency groups.

This effort is part of our commitment to assuring that we, as an organization, have the knowledge and sensitivity to assure that all of Michigan's children have a Great Start.

In each session community members from all walks of life participated in discussions about their community strengths as well as the challenges they face in supporting families with young children. Community conversations have taken place with African Americans, Arab Americans, Native Americans, the Hispanic/Latino community and conversations on poverty in rural Michigan.
  

• Click here to view sessions that have already been conducted.
   
• Read about the various themes (plus associated comments) that have emerged thus far.