The blueprint for a Michigan early education and care system will be completed by June 2005. Key parts to the blueprint are:

• The vision for children age 0-5 and their families
• The mission, or purpose, of an early education and care system
• Desired outcomes and indicators of progress
• Policies, programs, services, and supports that make up the system
  

To develop a blueprint, a broad consensus has been sought from Michigan Citizens to reach a shared vision for young children. During August and September 2003, many people across the state helped shape the proposed vision, which will be revisited when the entire blueprint is presented for broad review and comment. Between the end of October and early December 2003, the work focuses on the mission, or purpose, of a system that can help make the vision a reality. Below you will find various information on the development of a blue print and community meeting guidelines used earlier this year.

Communities throughout the state held conversations about Michigan’s vision of the future for all young children and their families. Despite a very short time to convene citizens, 47 Community Conversations were sponsored by a wide range of organizations. Over 1,000 citizens from 34 Michigan counties participated. Two statewide organizations—the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and the Michigan Fatherhood Coalition—also provided responses. For a list of the counties and the sponsoring organizations click here.

Themes from Community Conversations: Michigan’s Vision for Young Children and Their Families

Children must be Michigan’s number one priority and resource for the future.

Desired results:

• All children live in caring environments, are nurtured, and have high self-esteem
• No child is left behind and no family is left out—every child has the same opportunities and every parent has universal access to early childhood services and supports
• There is never a waiting list for early childhood services and supports
• Children participate in a continuum of high-quality, developmentally appropriate services and supports, according to developmental need
• All children have health insurance and a regular health care provider
• All children receive regular developmental, health, and dental screenings and needed follow-up services
• All children are immunized
• Children are free of emotional and physical neglect and abuse
  

We must give parents the tools they need to be their child’s first and most important teacher.

Desired results:

• Parents are welcomed, valued, and respected by their community
• Nonjudgmental, nonstigmatizing parent education is provided in every community to all parents who desire it
• Parents express value for education and know what to do to support their child’s health and development
• Parents have books and developmentally appropriate toys for their children
• Parent involvement is the norm and partnering with parents is expected
• Access to early childhood services and supports is quick and simple
• Early childhood services and supports are family-centered, tailored to family culture and diversity

To give children early learning opportunities, the basic needs of Michigan’s families must be met.

Desired results:

• Public funding priorities are clear—early childhood vs. corrections, support success vs. wait for failure, prevention vs. remediation
• Children can play outside, in their neighborhoods, without fear
• Children and parents have the food they need, year round
• Parents can easily travel where they need to go for work, school, and life
• Families have safe, affordable housing
• Families have the clothing they need to be comfortable whatever the weather
• Parents are empowered to say “no” to outside pressures and put their children’s needs first

Communities welcome, value, and act on behalf of young children and their families.

Desired results:

• Communities are fully aware of the utmost importance of investing in children’s early years
• Communities have shared indicators of success for early childhood health and development, with the outcome being school readiness
• Parents and all sectors of the community are engaged in civic and community life activities in support of young children
• All sectors of the community (parents, schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, health, the media, etc.) work together on behalf of young children
• Community-based information about early childhood is widely available in print and digital formats
• Public school code provides a free, appropriate public education from birth to high school graduation

The significant response of Michigan communities has produced many additional and more specific ideas that will be used to launch the next steps in the Great Start citizen dialogue.

Tools used in community conversations:
Community Conversation Guidelines: Shared Purpose
Community Conversation Record
Community Conversation Sign-In Sheet

For more information contact: Joan Blough, Phone: 269-345-5968, Fax: 517-484-6549