Susan Broman has been a driving force behind the efforts to ensure that young children in Kent County and across the state are healthy and ready to learn when they start kindergarten.  She now will take her skills and passion to Lansing, where she’ll lead Michigan’s new Office of Great Start.

“This is an exciting and unique opportunity,” Broman said. “We now have a focal point for early childhood development in state government that aligns all of the services to bring about better outcomes for kids.

“We have all of the pieces in place and are positioned to take the ball and run,” she added. “We have a governor and state superintendent who truly understand that early childhood development is important, and understand the return on investment we receive by investing in quality early childhood programs.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan made the announcement on November 28; Broman will be a deputy superintendent within the Michigan Department of Education.

Governor Rick Snyder created the Office of Great Start earlier this year to consolidate and coordinate early childhood programs and funding streams.  Broman has a wealth of experience in working collaboratively on early childhood issues.  She was a founding member of the First Steps Commission, chairs the Kent County Family & Children’s Coordinating Council, and is past chairperson of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.

Click on the link to follow the work and news of the Office of Great Start.

Submitted  November 29, 2011