Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
ReadmoreaboutStarPowerathttpgreatstartforkids.orgorhttpmichigansandboxparty.org.StarPower2011FormoreinformationaboutGreatStartandECICvisitwww.greatstartforkids.org.ToreceiveGreatStartsHereemailusatinfoecic4kids.organdputGreatStartsHereinthesubjectline.TeriBanasAndrewHellerBrendaBrissette-MataJenniferWalklingTeriBanasGreatStartisMichigansnationallyrecognizedstate-wideinitiativetofosterschoolreadinessandlifesuccessforyoungchildren.TheEarlyChildhoodInvestmentCorporationisapublicnonprotorganizationworkingtorestructureMichigansinvestmentinchildrenfrombirthtovethroughstateandlocalcommunityefforts.112E.AlleganLansingMI48933www.greatstartforkids.orgGREATSTARTSHERESPRING2011GREATSTARTSHERESPRING201188GreatStartsHEREEditorWritersTaSuccessMorethan4300parentschildrenandcommunityleadersfromacrossMichiganbravedtherainforachancetotalktotheirlawmakersduringthefthannualStarPower2011eventonMay19.hegroupthelargestsince2007gatheredatCooleyLawStadiumhomeoftheLansingLugnutsandparadeddownMichiganAvenueledbytheWaverlyHighSchoolMarchingBandandDrumCorps.JudySamelsonCEOoftheEarlyChildhoodInvestmentCorp.ECICwhichsponsorstheeventwithprivatedollarssaidStarPowerhasauniquemagictobringpeopletogether.StarPowerisalwaysawonderfulchanceforlawmakerstohearone-on-onefromtheirconstituentsabouttheneedforustocontinuemakingschoolreadinessaprimaryfocusnotasecondaryoneSamelsonsaid.ShesaidthisyearwasparticularlyimportantbecauseofthenumberofnewlawmakersinLansing.Therewere148legislativemeetingsthatoccurredinsidetheCapitolandnearbylegislativeofces.Themembersof54GreatStartCollaborativesand70ParentCoalitionscametothanklawmakersforsupportandtocontinuetopressthecasethatearlychildhoodsupportsandprogramsneedtobeapriorityinthestatebudget.TheAlleganCountyCollaborativemetwiththeirsenatorRickJonesR-GrandLedgeontheooroftheMichiganSenate.TheretheypresentedhimwithatokenofourappreciationapottedGerberdaisyandacopyofthebelovedchildrensbookTheLegendofSleepingBearbasedontheMichiganlegendofhowSleepingBearDunesandManitouIslandwereformed.CollaborativeDirectorMeganKoops-Fishersaidthemeetingsweremakingaparticularlystrongimpressiononthechildren.RoughlyhalfofStarPowerparticipantsthisyearwereyoungstersfrominfantstoschool-agechildren.ThesekidsknowwhatsgoingonKoops-Fishersaid.Kidsfeelconnectedwhentheymeettheirlegislatorsfacetoface.