Early Childhood Development Working Group

We believe investing in early childhood development results in improved student performance, enhanced academic achievement, and decreased social service costs.

  • % of all Kids Served through GSRP

    T2025 Website Wg Data Graphics Ecd 1
    X

    In the West Michigan region (which includes 10 ISDs), an average of 72.8 percent of 4-year-olds are served through state and federal funds in the 2015/16 school year.

  • Total Kids Served in GSRP in West Michigan

    Wg Data Ecd 2
    X

    During the 2016/17 school year, 7,293 children were served by the Great Start Readiness Program in West Michigan.

  • Measure of Kindergarten Readiness

    Wg Data Ecd 3 A
    X

    TalentFirst is actively advocating for the adoption of the Kindergarten Entry Observation (KEO) across the entire state of Michigan. The KEO is currently being piloted in several counties in the region.

Participants
Co-Chairs
  • Sean Welsh, PNC Bank
  • Kevin Clay, Pridgeon and Clay Inc.
  • Bruce Los, softArchitecture
  • Lew Chamberlin, Whitecaps Professional Baseball Inc.
Project Manager
  • Lisa Hungerford, Talent 2025
  • Milt Rohwer, Talent 2025
Members
  • Allegan Area ESA
  • Community Action Allegan
  • Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative
  • First Steps Kent
  • Fremont Area Community Foundation
  • Frey Foundation
  • Grand Rapids Community College
  • Grand Rapids YMCA
  • KC Ready4s
  • Kent Great Start Collaborative
  • Kent ISD
  • Mason County United Way
  • Mecosta-Osceola Great Start Collaborative
  • Michigan Education Corps
  • Montcalm ISD
  • Muskegon Area ISD
  • Ottawa Area ISD
  • Padnos
  • Pennies from Heaven Foundation
  • RDV Foundation
  • Ready for School
  • United Way of the Lakeshore
  • West Shore ESD Great Start Collaborative
  • W.K. Kellogg Foundation