INTRODUCTION

Great Start Montcalm is a new initiative whose focus is to ensure that all our children in the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District enter school healthy, safe and eager to learn. A passion for learning, children, families and the well being of our community is pinnacle to this movement and has the potential of changing the future of the Greater Montcalm County.

Great Start Montcalm works in tandem with the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, a non-profit organization established by Governor Granholm in 2005.

Great Start Montcalm has a collaborative board that currently includes the following individuals / organizations; the Department of Human Services, Montcalm County Commissioners, The Probate/Family/Juvenile Court System, Eight Cap, Mid Michigan District Health Department, Montcalm Ministerial Board, Montcalm Center for Behavioral Health, Public and Parochial Elementary schools, MAISD programs for young children, hospitals, Regional Childcare Coordinators, 4H, local businesses, community banks, Alpha Family Center, Head Start, Great Start Readiness Programs, local preschool / daycare providers and most importantly PARENTS of children under the age of 12.  

We are very interested in sharing with as many community members as possible
·    Data we have gathered around many factors affecting our young children.
·    Information about the various services available to the young children and their families in this area.
·    Learning  from you how the data and services may have impacted your family.

COMMUNITY CONDITIONS DATA/FACTS: Between 2000 – 2006, in the Montcalm Area
·    Our population increase by 700+ people.
·    We had a slight growth in our median income and are now at $38,812.
·    This amount is significantly lower then the state median income of $46,072.
·    As of 2005 there were 5,071 children 0-5 years old and 1,000 of them are living in poverty level income homes.
·    The number of foreclosures from 2000 to 2006 jumped from 99 to 466.  
·    The number of homeless students increased from 42 in the 2007-08 school year to ~250 this school year.  The homeless count includes families of students who have left their residence and have moved in with another family.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DATA/FACTS: In the 2007 Montcalm Area
·    Had 4.9% per 1,000 children ages 0-5 years in foster care or about 24 children.
·    Had a .2% increase in the number of children receiving public mental health services.

PHYSICAL HEALTH DATA/FACTS: From 2002 – 2005 the Montcalm area percentage of
·    Live births to women with adequate prenatal care increased 21%.
·    Live births with low birth rates dropped from 7.4% to 7% and is significantly better then the overall State of Michigan percentages.
·    Toddlers, age 19 months to 35 months old, who are fully immunized increased by 9% to 79%.
·    Children ages 0-18 years old insured by Medicaid has increased by 9% to 39.7% and this is significantly higher then the overall percentages for the State of Michigan.

PARENTING EDUCATION DATA/FACTS: Between 2002 and 2006 in the Montcalm area
·    The percentage of live births to teenagers has dropped from 13.3% to 12.6%, yet our percentages are fairly higher then the overall percentages for the State of Michigan.

EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION DATA/FACTS: Between the 2002-03 and 2006-07 school years the
·    Percentage of our young children being serviced by the Early On program remained fairly stable at 3.9%.
·    Number of our young children, ages 0-5 years, being approved for subsidized childcare remained fairly stable at 278 children.
·    Number of 4 year olds being served by the Michigan School Reading Readiness program increased 24.5% and now serves 54.7% of this age group.
·    In 2007 the percentage of  3rd graders receiving Math Proficiency scores as 88.6% and this was slightly lower then the overall State of Michigan percentages.
·    In 2007 the percentage of  3rd graders receiving Reading Proficiency scores as 83.4% and this was slightly lower then the overall State of Michigan percentages.
·    The number of Child Care Centers and Group Family Homes showed little change.

BASIC NEEDS, SECURITY AND SAFETY DATA/FACTS: in the Montcalm area
·    Between 2002 and 2006 the percentage of births paid for by Medicaid increased by 12.4% to 48.4 % and this is higher then the overall State of Michigan percentages.
·    Between 2003 and 2006 the percentage of children, ages 0-5 years, receiving assistance through Family Independence Program (FIP) increased by .8% to 4.8 % and this is significantly lower then the overall State of Michigan percentages.
·    Between 2003 and 2007 the percentage of children, ages 0-5 years, receiving Food assistance increased by 8.5% to 27.18 % and this is slightly higher then the overall State of Michigan percentages.
·    Between 2006 and 2007 the percentage of children, ages 1-4 years, participating in the WIC program had a slight decrease 47.2 % and this is very close the overall State of Michigan percentages.
·    Between 2003 and 2007 the rate per 1,000 children, ages 0-5 years, who were substantiated victims of abuse showed an over all drop to 1.6, after some up and down rates, ~ 6 children out of our 5, 071 children in this age range, and is slightly lower then the overall State of Michigan percentages.
·    Between 2003 and 2007 the rate per 1,000 children, ages 0-5 years, who were substantiated victims of neglect showed an increase to 4.1, a 1.6 increase and  ~ 21 children out of our 5, 071 children in this age range, and is significantly lower then the overall State of Michigan percentages.