Great Start for Kids - Oakland
  
Oakland Great Start Logo
Search Now  
You are here: Home
Welcome to Oakland County's Great Start System!

The Great Start Collaborative-Oakland (GSC-O) is committed to ensuring that all of Oakland County's youngest citizens and their families have access to services.

 

The purpose of the Great Start Collaborative-Oakland (GSC-O) is to assure a coordinated system of community resources and support where by all Oakland County families have knowledge of and access to the services they need which will result in their children beginning kindergarten ready and eager to learn.

 

Great Start Collaborative-Oakland (GSC-O) is a partnership of local stakeholders and parents building a comprehensive early childhood system for our community, looking at all the factors that influence a child's readiness for school and life, including:

  • Early care and education
  • Physical and mental health
  • Family support and parent education
 
Oakland County's Children's Champion

Great Start Collaborative-Oakland would like to recognize United Way for Southeastern Michigan as our Summer 2010 Children's Champion. United Way has been a strong funding partner dedicated to regional investments in early childhood programs.  They are Oakland's Great Start Regional Child Care Resource Center and oversee two Early Learning Community Hubs in Hazel Park and Pontiac.  They have had a strong focus on early literacy through programs such as Imagination Library and Reading Village.  They also hosted the Early Childhood Summit on March 31st.  Thank you for focusing much of the work you do towards our youngest children.

 

ECIC Logo


  


 

     

Family in Leaves
What's New?

Recent News:

  • Two great video's from Star Power 2010. One from ECIC and one from GSC-O.
  • United Way's 211 database is now online! Individuals will still be able to call 2-1-1 24/7/365 to speak with a trained professional, however, they can now also search for needed resources online as well. Check it out at 211.UnitedWaySEM.org.
  • The Great Start Connect training button is now live! Providers and other early childhood professionals can search for and register for professional development directly on the website, using Great Start Connect.

Recent GSC-O Publications:

For more GSC-O publications click here.

 
Upcoming Events

The Great Start Collaborative-Oakland is hosting the following events:  

  • Tips for Talking with Candidates about Early Childhood. With such a big election year it is important that you know where the candidates for your community stand on important issues like early childhood. Two trainings will be held. One for parents on July 15th from 5:30-7:30pm at Pee Wee Patch in Lake Orion. Click here for more information. Another is scheduled for professionals on July 29th from 9:00-11:00am at Oakalnd Schools-Conference Room B. Whether you can make the training or not, we invite you to join us as we interview candidates throughout the summer. Contact Jamina Tepley for more information.
  • Calling all Pirates and Princesses!!  Join us at the 3rd Annual Family Fun Picnic: Saturday, August 14th at Waterford Oaks Park. Mark your calendars!!  Click here for more information about this exciting day!! 
  • Convention 2010: Because this is an important election year and because you care about Michigan’s youngest learners, you won’t want to miss “The Sandbox Party for Michigan’s Young Learners"- Thursday, August 26, from 1:00-4:00 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. For more information and to register, click the "Sandbox" button on the left.

The Great Start Collaborative-Oakland will have a table at the following outreach events:

  • Pontiac Back to School Street Jam-Friday, August 27 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Kingdom Fellowship Christian Center-14 Judson Street-Pontiac.  For more information call call 248-978-1891.

The Parenting Kiosk is currently located at Little Oaks Child Care Center-1200 Telegraph-Waterford

 
Parent Poll
Where do you go to find parenting and child development information?





Submit Survey 
 

2111 Pontiac Lake Road • Waterford, MI 48328-2736 • 248.209.2000
Copyright 2009 by Oakland Schools
Public Notices  Contact Us