GSC Web Admin
03-30-2009, 02:15 PM
By FRANK KONKEL
Sentinel-Standard writer
Published: Friday, March 27, 2009 3:15 AM CDT
(http://www.sentinel-standard.com/articles/2009/03/27/news/01news.eml)
IONIA - The Ionia County Great Start Parent Coalition met for the first time Thursday at the Ionia County Community Mental Health in an effort to inform interested parents in how the newly-formed coalition is going to benefit young children in the community.
In the works since November of 2008, the coalition will begin to take on a role similar to a sub-committee of the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative.
It already has the support of more than 50 local parents of varying backgrounds.
“We've been working on a parent coalition since November, we're very excited that it's actually happening,” said Ionia County Great Start Collaborative Director Cari O'Connor. “To make sure every child in Ionia County is healthy, eager and ready to succeed in life, we need to start with the experts of Ionia County children. The experts are their parents.”
During their inaugural meeting, the parents listened to keynote speaker Mary Mackrain, statewide coordinator of the Child Care Expulsion Prevention (CCEP) Initiative. Mackrain spoke for over an hour, touching on the social, emotional and mental health of children up to the age of five. Parents, she said, have “everything” to do with how young children develop.
“Everything you do matters,” Mackrain told the audience of parents. Mackrain commended parents involved in the coalition for their action, noting that becoming involved in the community is a big step forward for the betterment of young children.
It didn't take long for the coalition to make an impact. John McCanless, whose son Ray Anthony is three years old, said he initially came to the coalition to support his wife, coalition member Renate McCanless. But after conversing with other parents and listening to Mackrain, McCanless said he understood that no parent is ever done learning.
“It's eye opening when you see the importance of little things like building your child's confidence,” said McCanless. “I guess it's enlightened me to a few things you face as a parent and how you can be a better one. I want to make sure Ray grows up to be the best he can be.”
McCanless' goal for his son is a microcosm of the goals set forth by the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative. Wendy Nowicke, a parent liaison for the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative, believes the parent coalition will provide key information, help and input to the Collaborative. As a separate entity, the coalition will meet monthly, discussing civic engagement projects, strategic planning and general information which will then be relayed back to the collaborative.
In return, the collaborative board - made up of local educators, clergy, parents, business persons and community leaders - will create policy in the interest of serving Ionia County's youth.
“Coordination is the key, there are different levels of commitment from each parent, but the key is getting the input of parents across the county,” Nowicke said. “Different issues matter to different parents, and we want all of them addressed.”
The coalition's next meeting will be on April 16. Parents interested in learning more information about the coalition or the collaborative can contact the Ionia County Intermediate School district at 616-527-4900.
http://www.greatstartioniacounty.org/forums/images/News/parent_coalition.jpg
The Ionia County Great Start Parent Coalition met Thursday at the Ionia County Community Mental Health, informing interested parents in how the coalition will assist the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative in creating a better future for the county’s young children. The event kicked off with the Ionia County Parenting Awareness Committee recognizing the winners of their poster contest. Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger (far left) and Leigha Christensen recognized third place winner Meaghan K. McGlamery, second place winner Jessica Richards and first place winners Emma and Sadie Shattuck. Sentinel-Standard/FRANK KONKEL
Sentinel-Standard writer
Published: Friday, March 27, 2009 3:15 AM CDT
(http://www.sentinel-standard.com/articles/2009/03/27/news/01news.eml)
IONIA - The Ionia County Great Start Parent Coalition met for the first time Thursday at the Ionia County Community Mental Health in an effort to inform interested parents in how the newly-formed coalition is going to benefit young children in the community.
In the works since November of 2008, the coalition will begin to take on a role similar to a sub-committee of the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative.
It already has the support of more than 50 local parents of varying backgrounds.
“We've been working on a parent coalition since November, we're very excited that it's actually happening,” said Ionia County Great Start Collaborative Director Cari O'Connor. “To make sure every child in Ionia County is healthy, eager and ready to succeed in life, we need to start with the experts of Ionia County children. The experts are their parents.”
During their inaugural meeting, the parents listened to keynote speaker Mary Mackrain, statewide coordinator of the Child Care Expulsion Prevention (CCEP) Initiative. Mackrain spoke for over an hour, touching on the social, emotional and mental health of children up to the age of five. Parents, she said, have “everything” to do with how young children develop.
“Everything you do matters,” Mackrain told the audience of parents. Mackrain commended parents involved in the coalition for their action, noting that becoming involved in the community is a big step forward for the betterment of young children.
It didn't take long for the coalition to make an impact. John McCanless, whose son Ray Anthony is three years old, said he initially came to the coalition to support his wife, coalition member Renate McCanless. But after conversing with other parents and listening to Mackrain, McCanless said he understood that no parent is ever done learning.
“It's eye opening when you see the importance of little things like building your child's confidence,” said McCanless. “I guess it's enlightened me to a few things you face as a parent and how you can be a better one. I want to make sure Ray grows up to be the best he can be.”
McCanless' goal for his son is a microcosm of the goals set forth by the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative. Wendy Nowicke, a parent liaison for the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative, believes the parent coalition will provide key information, help and input to the Collaborative. As a separate entity, the coalition will meet monthly, discussing civic engagement projects, strategic planning and general information which will then be relayed back to the collaborative.
In return, the collaborative board - made up of local educators, clergy, parents, business persons and community leaders - will create policy in the interest of serving Ionia County's youth.
“Coordination is the key, there are different levels of commitment from each parent, but the key is getting the input of parents across the county,” Nowicke said. “Different issues matter to different parents, and we want all of them addressed.”
The coalition's next meeting will be on April 16. Parents interested in learning more information about the coalition or the collaborative can contact the Ionia County Intermediate School district at 616-527-4900.
http://www.greatstartioniacounty.org/forums/images/News/parent_coalition.jpg
The Ionia County Great Start Parent Coalition met Thursday at the Ionia County Community Mental Health, informing interested parents in how the coalition will assist the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative in creating a better future for the county’s young children. The event kicked off with the Ionia County Parenting Awareness Committee recognizing the winners of their poster contest. Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger (far left) and Leigha Christensen recognized third place winner Meaghan K. McGlamery, second place winner Jessica Richards and first place winners Emma and Sadie Shattuck. Sentinel-Standard/FRANK KONKEL