A key component of systems building is change. The moving parts of the system (e.g. the people, the organizations, etc.) must be willing to change and adjust in order to improve. As I mentioned in a previous blog, change shouldn’t be forced just for the sake of change, but in order to improve functioning and therefore outcomes for young children and families.
 
Starting this week, approximately 3,000 people across Michigan are receiving surveys from Michigan State University. The surveys ask a variety of questions about the Great Start initiative in local communities. It asks members to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions through a variety of questions and scales.
 
This survey is absolutely critical to our future work. ECIC will be using the aggregated information, case studies, and state level surveys to adjust and improve technical assistance. It could very well result in change occurring for Collaboratives and Coalitions that will make their work smarter and more effective. 
 
The evaluation also has national implications. Michigan is leading the country in many areas, most notably in the parent leadership area as well as the interface between the Parent Coalitions and Collaboratives. Not only will Michigan be using this information to improve its work, but our national partners will be using it to learn how they can grow and develop a local infrastructure similar to Michigan.
 
If you are reading this and are a member of a Great Start Collaborative or Parent Coalition, please take the time to provide your input. It may take you 30 minutes, but it will impact your work for years to come.