Welcome to Great Start Tuscola

The mission of Great Start Collaborative is to engage multi-disciplinary partners and families to identify, plan and implement system change to strengthen families and improve child outcomes. Since 2017, one of our major priorities has been the implementation of the Strengthening Families Framework that promotes 5 Protective Factors to make families strong.

Office of Great Start Desired Outcomes:

Children are born healthy
Children are thriving and developmentally on track from birth-third grade
Children are developmentally ready to succeed in school at time of entry
Children are prepared to succeed in fourth grade and beyond, reading proficiently by the end of third grade

Breaking News

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is pleased to announce that an online map has been developed for families to find locations where meals are being provided during this period of school closure. The map can be found at: www.mcgi.state.mi.us/schoolnutrition, and will be updated twice each day during the closure period. These meals, served under the program called Unanticipated School Closure Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), are available to all children at no cost. Up to two meals per day may be served to all children ages 0-18. This includes students with disabilities ages 18-26 with an active individual education program (IEP). This program assists Michigan’s school districts and community partners to ensure that kids receive nutritious meals during the school closure announced by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on March 12, 2020. Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. Learn more at http://bit.ly/38V7dsM and get Michigan #COVID19 updates at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

In the news

THUMB KIDS USE THEIR IMAGINATION LIBRARY, BACKER SAYS

PARTY HELPS 2,000 KIDS RECEIVING BOOKS

CARO MAYOR NAMED CHAMBER CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

SATURDAY SHOPPERS CAN HELP TUSCOLA COUNTY KIDS

COMMUNITY GATHERS TO DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES AT ANNUAL TUSCOLA NIGHT OUT

Great Start Tuscola

In the news…

Great Start Tuscola to host workshop at tech center on Thursday

Great Start Tuscola to kick off parenting awareness month with family event

New director Takes Great Start Tuscola

Archery for a cause bronners to host local media archery contest for charity

I want to know more about…

Imagination Library

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income.

Michigan’s Children

Michigan’s Children works to ensure that public policies are made in the best interest of children from cradle to career and their families.

Great Start to Quality

Great Start to Quality is Michigan’s quality rating and improvement system that supports early childhood programs and providers in their efforts to improve their programs.

Great Start Readiness Program

Looking to attend preschool in Tuscola County? Check our location directory or call our enrollment number for more information.

Start Preschool

United Way Airs 211

2-1-1 is a free, easy-to-remember telephone number that connects people in need with people who can help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ages and Stages

Get the essentials for every age and stage of a child’s life by downloading these valuable resources intended to help support parent, teacher, and child care providers.

Discover Stages

Early Childhood Investment Corporation

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation is dedicated to serving and advancing the interests of young children in Michigan. We provide research-based information to guide policy and program decision making so that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed in school and in life.

Milestones App

Track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with easy-to-use illustrated checklists; get tips from CDC for encouraging your child’s development.

Install App

Kids Count

KIDS COUNT is a premier source of data on children and families. The KIDS COUNT data book assesses child well-being in the United States.

Visit Site

Michigan Registry

Michigan Registry is an all-in-one resource for tracking professional development, facilitating training, and growing professionally. They’re here to support you.

Find Help Here

Here's what the community is saying

“I am overwhelmed by the impact I'm already seeing in my children’s lives…If you ever need an advocate for the Conscious Discipline Classes, please let me know and I would be happy to be there to help spread this word.”

“I have learned so many tools I am going to utilize to help my children and my family. Thank you so much!”

“I just love everything Great Start has to offer and i know I can contact you if I need help or info on anything.”

“My girls always love the At Home Learning Kits and the projects that they get to do together. And it’s nice because they are educational!”

“My daughter loves these kits. It makes her feel special, and she loves being able to share them with her brothers and mommy. The boys think the activities are fun, too, even though they are My daughter loved the kit this month! We spend a couple hours building houses, bridges ect., and she loved it! All the kits we have gotten keep her attention longer then activities we have tried at home so we love them!”

“My daughter loves these educational kits. It makes her feel special and she loves being able to share them with her brothers and mommy. The boys think the activities are fun too even though they are 12 and 9 they still enjoy doing them and try to help their sister out.”

“My girls always love the kits and the projects that they get to do together. And its nice because they are educational.”

“These kits are amazing. These guys do a great job putting these together. Thank you so much.”

“Great start collaboration play dates and activities have been a God send for my daughter and I. Great start collaborative Staff are knowledgeable, professional, approachable and friendly. I highly recommend that people with children come and check out an event at Great start collaborative.”

- Shannon(Parent)

“I was given new opportunities with Great Start and it has been a positive impact in our lives.”

- Sarah(Parent)

“ Thank you for getting a grant that allowed our kids to take home free math kits! The math kits are of superior quality and the kids love them! We have really enjoyed using them. The note from our Sheriff built a connection to our community and real live math!”

- Caring Parent

" Thanks to a connection made through Great Start, Senator Green was able to help a parent get needed education in their local school district for a young child.” ”

- Representative for Senator Green

“Since joining Great Start, I feel my voice has only become stronger in advocating for my child! You have led me to many resources and great opportunities to share with my child!"

- Katrina(parent member)

"Loved the note from Sheriff Skrent - connection to our community and real life math!"

“Very informational regarding transportation to mental health services – my families are unaware of this service!"

- Amber(health provider)

“ I am a new mom that was gifted a wonderful baby bag full of very useful items, and I am very grateful and my heart is so full. Thank you so much. Every penny counts in our family-so the gift was very meaningful to us! God Bless"

-Sharon(parent)

“The training exceeded my expectations. There was so much I didn’t know!"

“Very informative and mind-blowing training! Thank you!"

“My child loves all of the activities and it is always a wonderful time when not on the tablet!"

“The math kit is amazing. Thank you so much. She absolutely loves it."

“We loved the math kit and explored with it as soon as we opened it. Thank you!"

“Thank you for the math kit! Both my kids love it!"

Here's what the community is saying

“Knowing and learning the developmental stages of each age with the resources and guides provided for the adults has helped me understand play and my child’s milestones.”

“I have learned so many tools I am going to utilize to help my children and my family. Thank you so much!”

“The Conscious Discipline Parenting Class has given me specific ideas in categories to allow me to hit on each area of play and development to best assist my children in gaining skills and learning about the world around them.”

“My girls always love the At Home Learning Kits and the projects that they get to do together. And it’s nice because they are educational!”

“My child loves all of the activities and it is always a wonderful time when not on the tablet!"

“I think the biggest thing I’m going to take away from this knowledge is to get myself to that executive state before addressing whatever issue was going on with my child, so that I can handle it with a calm, clear mind.”

“Thank you for the math kit! Both my kids love it!"

“I hope to use this knowledge every day! When the class first started I realized that we were already using some of these skills but learned more in depth about them and how to put them to work even more.”

“My girls always love the kits and the projects that they get to do together. And its nice because they are educational.”

“These kits are amazing. These guys do a great job putting these together. Thank you so much.”

“The math kit is amazing. Thank you so much. She absolutely loves it."

“Great start collaboration play dates and activities have been a God send for my daughter and I. Great start collaborative Staff are knowledgeable, professional, approachable and friendly. I highly recommend that people with children come and check out an event at Great start collaborative.”

- Shannon(Parent)

“Very informative and mind-blowing training! Thank you!"

“I was given new opportunities with Great Start and it has been a positive impact in our lives.”

- Sarah(Parent)

“ I am a new mom that was gifted a wonderful baby bag full of very useful items, and I am very grateful and my heart is so full. Thank you so much. Every penny counts in our family-so the gift was very meaningful to us! God Bless"

-Sharon(parent)

“Very informational regarding transportation to mental health services – my families are unaware of this service!"

- Amber(health provider)

“The training exceeded my expectations. There was so much I didn’t know!"

Great Start Tuscola

About us

Tuscola Great Start works to ensure every child in Tuscola County is safe, healthy, eager and ready to succeed in school and become contributing, productive members of an economically stable Tuscola County.

Quick links

Ages and Stages
Resource Guide
Milestones App
Kids Count
Family Coalition
MDHHS

Imagination Library
Michigan’s Children
ACES Survey
Tuscola County Preschool
United Way Airs 211
Contact

These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education

Contact

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Great Start Tuscola

1401 Cleaver Rd
Caro, MI 48723

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(989) 673-2144 ext 30325

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greatstarttuscola@gmail.com