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LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential today announced that Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program, the state’s main PreK for All program, again achieved top marks for quality.
This summer, Michigan families can get extra help buying groceries through the SUN Bucks program. Each eligible school-aged child will receive $120 to spend on food during the summer months. Your child may be eligible if they are between 6 and 18 years old and receive SNAP (food benefits), TANF (cash assistance), or Medicaid with income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Due to the power outage in Eaton Rapids, the Union Street Classroom and Eaton Rapids High School Meadowview Classroom are closed today.
Charlotte, MI - During the Eaton Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, district officials announced upcoming biennial board member elections for three, six year terms. The election will take place on Monday, June 2, 2025, in the Board Room at the Eaton RESA main office, 1790 East Packard Highway, Charlotte, MI 48813.
Since 1974, the Eaton RESA Career Preparation Center (CPC) has offered local high school students hands-on learning and career development through a variety of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and learning opportunities.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CPC, current students, alumni, instructors, employers, industry partners and CPC supporters are invited to an Anniversary Open House on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4 - 6 p.m. at Lansing Community College West Campus.
Eaton Great Start Collaborative part of effort to reach...
By Ronda Rucker, Great Start Collaborative Coordinator
The news that 55 local Great Start Collaboratives are now operating statewide - including our own Eaton Great Start, which was started in 2007 - couldn't be more timely.
The current economic crisis means now more than ever Michigan must shore up and improve its early childhood efforts to make sure they effectively meet the needs of local children in every part of the state. In our community that effort is being led by the Eaton Great Start Collaborative and Early Childhood Connections.
Eaton Great Start Collaborative part of effort to reach all young children in Michigan
By Ronda Rucker, Great Start Collaborative Coordinator
The news that 55 local Great Start Collaboratives are now operating statewide - including our own Eaton Great Start, which was started in 2007 - couldn't be more timely.
The current economic crisis means now more than ever Michigan must shore up and improve its early childhood efforts to make sure they effectively meet the needs of local children in every part of the state. In our community that effort is being led by the Eaton Great Start Collaborative and Early Childhood Connections.
Thanks to the efforts of Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Legislature, there is now a broad, comprehensive effort to ensure that children get the social, educational and medical supports they need to thrive and grow in their own communities.
The first 21 Great Start Collaboratives were created in 2006. Each year additional collaborative have been started. This year, all counties all remaining Michigan counties have began collaborative Great Start efforts. (For more information on Great Start Collaboratives see www.ecic4kids.org .)
Local Great Start Collaboratives are composed of community leaders from education, child welfare, the faith community, health and mental health, child care, philanthropy and business, as well as parents. Their mission is to coordinate and oversee ongoing improvements in local early childhood programs, based on a comprehensive plan of local needs.
Among Eaton County's collaborative members are Eaton County United Way Director Joni Risner; County Commissioner Dale Barr; MSU Extension Educator Donna Turner; DHS Supervisor Pat Simmons; OYC Early Childhood Consultant Nancy Sherd; LCC Child Development Instructor Charlene Cunningham; ECC Local Early Childhood Community Coordinators Cindy VanNeste and D'Lynn Smith; Community Mental Health representative Fran Jozefowiz; Head Start representative Lois Cairns; Child Protective Services Worker Amanda Burch; Highfields Wraparound Facilitator Rachelle Gorton; BEDHD representative Heather Sanders; representatives from local schools; the faith community, and parents.
These community leaders are working together to advocate for the needs of families with young children; develop systems of services that are in line with what families are telling us they need; and streamline county efforts to be more effective and efficient. Successes include the www.eatongreatstart.org website that keeps families and communities informed about what is happening in our community; recognition of Family Friendly businesses that make it easier for families with young children; a county-wide strategic plan that everyone can promote and participate in; the Parent Coalition that envisions and strives for a community of excellence; and a community-wide system of providing parents with the tools they need to help their children succeed.
We know it takes a sustained effort to make sure all of Michigan's children receive what they need to grow and learn, especially in these challenging economic times. But the rewards are great. Investing in our children when they are very young significantly increases their chance for success - and when our children succeed, we all succeed.
For more about what is happening locally, check out www.eatongreatstart.org. To join the Great Start Collaborative contact Ronda at 517-541-8987.