GREAT START COLLABORATIVE
The Great Start Collaborative of Kent County is a group of local professionals and parents who are committed to establishing and maintaining a comprehensive early childhood system that addresses all factors that influence a child’s readiness for school and life.
Local experts on the Great Start Collaborative are developing much of the content for the initiatives of First Steps and have been instrumental in planning for an early childhood system in Kent County.
Great Start was first introduced to the state of Michigan in 2005, when Governor Jennifer Granholm proposed an early childhood initiative to be known as Great Start. She created the first statewide public-private corporation to focus both government and private sector resources on building a comprehensive system of services and support for Michigan’s youngest children and their families. From this call came the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC).
The ECIC provides funds for intermediate school districts to convene local Great Start Collaboratives. The Collaboratives provide a forum for community members from all walks of life to work together to create a better future for all young children. Local Great Start Collaboratives assess the current status of children and families in their communities, develop an action agenda for change and work with private and public partners to increase investment in young children.
In 2006, the Kent Intermediate School District was awarded one of the “Great Start Collaborative” grants by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.
Parents take an active role in the Great Start Collaborative of Kent County. The Great Start Parent Coalition is open to committed parents from all over Kent County.
Our Kent County Collaborative Coordinator is Judy Freeman. Judy can be reached at 616-752-8612 or jfreeman@waybetterunitedway.org.
- Lynne Ferrell, Frey Foundation (chair)
- Dwight Anderson, Comstock Park Public Schools Superintendent
- Margaret Biersack, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities
- Diane Blain, MSU Extension Educator
- Rebecca Brinks, Grand Rapids Community College
- Leslie Brown, Parent Representative
- Tony Campbell, Heart of West Michigan United Way
- Barbara Corbin, Kent Intermediate School District
- Candace Cowling, Child and Family Resource Council
- Ben Emdin, Early Childhood Children’s Commission
- Cheryl Endres, Kent Intermediate School District
- Kathy Freberg, Network 180
- Judy Freeman, Great Start Collaborative Coordinator
- Kristin Gietzen, Arbor Circle
- Paul Haan, Healthy Homes Coalition
- Lynn Heemstra, Office of Our Community’s Children
- Mary Hockwalt, Michigan Family Resources
- Zsanara Hoskins, Parent Representative
- Joanne Kelty, Grand Rapids Public Schools Early Childhood
- Maureen Kirkwood, Healthcare Home Project Manager
- Nick Koster, 17th Circuit Court
- David LaGrand, Grand Rapids City Commissioner
- Sarah McCarville, Grand Rapids Public Library
- Debbie Mageed, Parent Representative
- Elaine Martin, Grand Rapids Public Schools
- Rev. David May, Parent Representative
- Erin McGovern, Kent Intermediate School District
- Carol Paine-McGovern, Kent County Family & Children’s Coordinating Council
- Ernest Powers, Parent Representative
- Nicole Pratt, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
- Jennifer Rees, Parent Representative
- Kevin Rose, African American Health Initiative
- Sylvia Saucedo-DeVries, Parent Representative
- Kathy Stuby, Kelloggsville Public Schools
- Renee Stuller, Parent Representative
- Janel Switzer, Caledonia Community Schools
- Amy Turner-Thole, First Steps
- Deb VanderMolen, Kent Regional 4C
- Matthew VanZetten, Kent County
- Heather Walczewski, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
- Sandy Walls, Kent County Health Department
- Rachel Westra, Parent Representative
- Marissa Zamudio, Early Childhood Investment Corporation
- Betty Zylstra, Salvation Army
Learn more about Great Start Michigan and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.