Great Start Montcalm

Parent Coalition (East Side/Stanton)

Minutes

Chemical Bank

October 6, 2009, 12:00-1:15pm

·         110 E. Main Street, Stanton MI. 48888

Present:   Brenda Greenhoe, Jyll Mitchell, Mary Peterson, Shannon Powell, Denise Schneider, Lisa Lund and Susan Sunden

1.       Welcome and Introductions

2.       Summer Review of Activities

·         PC Contacted Rep. Huckleberry and Sen. Cropsey via letters, phone calls, and face to face advocacy events to support Early Childhood Programming in the budget process and throughout the summer.

·         PC marched in Coral Days, Greenville Danish Fest and Harvest Fest  Parades to foster community awareness, recruit members and have face-to-face time with Rep. Huck

·         PC participated in Summer Potluck and Postcard Rally to celebrate our Coalition and keep up Advocacy efforts

·         PC participated in a joint meeting with the Collaborative Board and PC at Anderson and Girls Apple orchard.

·         PL and Director published articles in the Greenville Daily News supporting Early Childhood programming.

·         Face book and Scrapbook activities are ongoing through PC member Shannon Powell’s efforts.

·         Resource Cards: The yellow pocket guide Resource Cards are currently in use among PC members to refer other parents in the county as to current resources. A new printing with updated listings specifically geared toward Early Childhood Programs is currently being completed.

·         Education and Support: Local speakers are currently being scheduled to provide the PC with information regarding Early Childhood Social emotional skills and fostering resiliency among parents and children. Ongoing email/face book updates regarding educational opportunities available in the county are consistently provided to the PC.

3.        ECIC Updates:

·         Regional Childcare Resource Centers:  Four C’s has lost their childcare contract for the State of Michigan (except the UP). Oversight and Procedural governance has been given to ECIC and 10 local service agencies throughout the state to review referral, continuing education, licensing and general oversight to childcare providers. For Montcalm County, Pathways of Holland is our Service Coordinator. Brenda Greenhoe and Susan Sunden sat in on a 3 day planning meeting to generate a strategic plan for Pathways. ECIC is now revising that plan.

·         Protective Factors: ECIC is working to promote “Blueprint for Strong Families” a program to encourage information disbursal and behavior changes in families to prevent Child Abuse and Neglect.

·         Advocacy: ECIC continues to support Advocacy events throughout the budget process, and throughout the upcoming election year. ECIC believes this effort will be a mainstay and push for involvement in this from all PC’s across the state.

4.        Montcalm Great Start Parent Coalition and Collaborative: PC members to review East Side goals and objectives, send Sue any suggestions for change, revision, or editing!

Collaborative Strategic Plan topics reviewed: Topic Tabled for next meeting.  Legislative Luncheons at MCC, 3^rd Monday of the month, 12 noon to 1pm. PC members encouraged to attend.  Literacy goal reviewed. Brenda Greenhoe, Ryan White and Susan Sunden to attend Rotary Club meeting to explore partnership in sponsoring this effort.

5.       Parent Time: Lisa Lund reviewed information about the efforts in the 211 system and joining with neighboring counties as a collaborative to get that call in resource service in place. Lisa has been instrumental in heading up these efforts! Shannon Powell reviewed issues and challenges facing childcare providers in Michigan right now. Shannon runs a licensed childcare and has for 19 years.

Next Meeting for East Side/ Stanton Parent Coalition: Nov. 3, 2009, 12noon-1pm, Basement Meeting Room Chemical Bank, 110 E. Main St. Stanton, MI. 48888. Bring your own brown bag lunch. Thanks to Mary Peterson and Chem. Bank for the use of the room and for coffee!!!

Respectfully Submitted

Susan Sunden, M.Ed., CTRS

Parent Liaison, Great Start Montcalm

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