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On June 29, 2011, Governor Snyder signed Executive Order 2011-8 creating the Michigan Office of Great Start within the state Department of Education. A key goal of this office is to consolidate numerous early childhood programs and resources into a single office within the Department to provide a great start for all Michigan's young children through its responsive, high quality programs. The Office of Child Development and Care and the Head Start State Collaboration Office within the Department of Human Services will join the Office of Early Childhood Education and Family Services to create the Michigan Office of Great Start.
Early On Mission: Early On builds upon and provides supports and resources to assist family members and caregivers to enhance eligible children's learning and development through everyday learning opportunities.
Early On Vision: Infants and toddlers who are enrolled in Early On reach their fullest potential, successfully transitioning to the next phase of life, with empowered and supportive families.
| How to Get Involved with Your LICC |
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| The LICC is made up of representatives from the intermediate school district, the local Health and Human Services agency, Head Start programs, and parents. Parent members make up 20 percent of the LICC and must either have experience with or knowledge of Early On, and a child under the age of 13. There is a similar structure statewide, known as the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC). However, MICC members are appointed by the Governor to advise and assist the Michigan Department of Education in matters related to Early On.
Parents bring a valuable perspective to the LICC. They know how programs impact families. A large portion of the LICC meeting is spent on issues that affect families, such as budgets, grants, and services. The parent voice is crucial when making decisions around these important issues.
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| Website: How to Get Involved with Your LICC website. |
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| Michigan Department of Education, Early On |
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| The Michigan Department of Education is the lead agency responsible for the statewide implementation of Early On. The website contains information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), various organizations, policies, family resources and rights, federal reports, and federal and state resources. |
| Website: Michigan Department of Education, Early On website. |
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| MDE - Office of Great Start |
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| The Michigan Office of Great Start is part of Governor Snyder's broader education reform agenda outlined in his special message on Reinventing Michigan's Education System given April 27, 2011. To view this special message, please visit www.mi.gov/Snyder. |
| Website: MDE - Office of Great Start website. |
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| Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council |
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| The Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC) is authorized and required by Part C of the Individuals with Disablities Education Act (IDEA) as amended by Public Law 105-17. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is designated as the lead agency for the State of Michigan. The MICC is charged with advising and assisting MDE in the development and implementation of a statewide, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency system that provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
How Can Families Get Involved?
Family and professional partnerships are at the center of an effective early intervention system. Families bring their knowledge of the strengths and needs of the child and family unit. Local Interagency Coordinating Council's (LICC) are local planning bodies for Early On systems, each established through the local service areas in Michigan. Families make up the core of each of the LICC's. The families that participate have young children with special needs who help to provide their expertise and knowledge about their local community.
What does an LICC do?
Each LICC works with a locally-based Early On Coordinator, parent representatives, and agencies such as education, community health, public health departments, and local community agencies. The idea was to create a structure where famlies and agencies from a community would work together to share expertise and resources to provide the best and most effective early intervention system for their community. |
| Website: Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council website. |
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| Parent Involvement Committee |
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| What is the PIC (Parent Involvement Committee)? Their charge is as follows:
1. Develop a process to support family involvement on the MICC, i.e.
accessibility to information, provide input to MICC documents (especially
those concerning family members of the MICC), support for family
members on subcommittees by mentoring and providing back up when
needed, develop a process to ensure support for families when sharing
personal stories and experiences.
2. The committee will ensure family perspectives are an integral component of the Early On system, including policy, procedures and practices.
3. Family members have unique needs for full involvement and may require different kinds of support to participate in a meaningful way. This
committee will support family members in being prepared to participate as
equal partners with their professional counterparts. This support may
include leadership mentoring, information, and opportunities for ongoing
learning.
4. Develop and maintain a policy for reimbursement for MICC family members that is consistent with Federal and State policy.
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