Early Childhood Funding is Focus of Star Power Event
1,000 supporters to gather May 21 at Capitol to meet with legislators
LANSING, Mich., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- One thousand parents, children and other early childhood investment supporters are expected at the Capitol Thursday, May 21, to tell state legislators that funding for our youngest citizens is critical to Michigan's economic future.
It will be the largest Star Power Event since it began in 2007.
"This issue is more important than ever as the state makes cuts to balance the current budget and works on the 2010 budget," said Judy Y. Samelson, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC). "We cannot sacrifice services for families and children."
Many of the rally participants will be members of the 55 Great Start Collaboratives that help communities develop, implement and evaluate local, comprehensive early childhood systems. After a 10 a.m. parade and program recognizing champions of early childhood investment on the Capitol steps, participants will meet with their state representatives and senators until 2 p.m.
"We now have a full contingent of Great Start Collaboratives, which will allow thousands of Michigan children to gain access to the development programs they deserve," Samelson said. "Maintaining funding for the collaboratives will be just one of the important issues supporters will discuss with legislators."
The Great Start initiative was launched in 2004 as a movement to create public understanding that learning begins at birth and that investment in early childhood health, development and learning is crucial to the state's economic future. The ECIC is a unique public, nonprofit corporation created to invest in Michigan's children. By educating, motivating and involving Michigan citizens in efforts to build and promote a system of supports for young children and their families, all Michigan children can make a Great Start!
The ECIC and the Great Start Collaboratives, the two primary units of Great Start, are sponsoring the Star Power Event.
For more information about the ECIC, visit http://www.ecic4kids.org.
SOURCE ECIC
LANSING, Mich., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- One thousand parents, children and other early childhood investment supporters are expected at the Capitol Thursday, May 21, to tell state legislators that funding for our youngest citizens is critical to Michigan's economic future.
It will be the largest Star Power Event since it began in 2007.
"This issue is more important than ever as the state makes cuts to balance the current budget and works on the 2010 budget," said Judy Y. Samelson, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC). "We cannot sacrifice services for families and children."
Many of the rally participants will be members of the 55 Great Start Collaboratives that help communities develop, implement and evaluate local, comprehensive early childhood systems. After a 10 a.m. parade and program recognizing champions of early childhood investment on the Capitol steps, participants will meet with their state representatives and senators until 2 p.m.
"We now have a full contingent of Great Start Collaboratives, which will allow thousands of Michigan children to gain access to the development programs they deserve," Samelson said. "Maintaining funding for the collaboratives will be just one of the important issues supporters will discuss with legislators."
The Great Start initiative was launched in 2004 as a movement to create public understanding that learning begins at birth and that investment in early childhood health, development and learning is crucial to the state's economic future. The ECIC is a unique public, nonprofit corporation created to invest in Michigan's children. By educating, motivating and involving Michigan citizens in efforts to build and promote a system of supports for young children and their families, all Michigan children can make a Great Start!
The ECIC and the Great Start Collaboratives, the two primary units of Great Start, are sponsoring the Star Power Event.
For more information about the ECIC, visit http://www.ecic4kids.org.
SOURCE ECIC
posted by Paresh Paleja at
10:07 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home