MDE Office of Great Start Establishes Advisory Council

Contact: Martin Ackley, Director of Public and Governmental Affairs (517) 241-4395
Agency: Education

October 17, 2014
LANSING The Michigan Department of Education Office of Great Start (MDE OGS) has
established an Advisory Council to help identify and define policy issues, using local experiences to
improve state policy, and identifying how best to communicate with key stakeholders. The 18-
member council is comprised of child care providers, parents, and community leaders.
We are very excited about the opportunity that this council presents to offer valuable input into
Michigans early childhood system, said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan.
The MDE OGS is using the first few council meetings to build a foundation in the four early
childhood outcomes established by the Governor: children born healthy; developmentally on track;
ready at kindergarten entry; and reading proficiently by grade 4; and also in Michigans broader early
childhood system.
Representatives from the Michigan departments of Education, Human Services, and Community
Health (MDE, DHS, and DCH), as well as early childhood organizations, have been invited to talk
about how their programs and efforts are contributing to achieving the four early childhood
outcomes.
As the council moves forward, MDE OGS intends to continue to invite representatives from state
departments and outside organizations to contribute to the councils discussions.
We want to be sure the council has a strong understanding of how organizations inside and outside
of state government work to advocate for and promote policies and system changes that lead to a
stronger early childhood system and improved services in the state, said Susan Broman, Deputy
State Superintendent.
The MDE OGS Advisory Council members are:
Jon-Paul Bianchi, Battle Creek
Paula Cunningham, Lansing
Molly Dixon, Muskegon Heights
Libia Dudzinski, Lapeer
Nkechy Ezeh, Grand Rapids
Yalonda Freeman, Saginaw
Blanca Gomez, Holland
Jenea Haywood, Kalamazoo
Ayana Knox Potts, Rochester
Wendy Lewis Jackson, Troy
Linda McGillis, Alpena
Scott Menzel, Ann Arbor
Katie Miller, Coldwater
Doug Paterson, Lansing
Jessica Quintana, Three Rivers
Milt Rohwer, Grand Rapids
Dan Varner, Detroit
Kim Webb, Iron Mountain
This is an exciting time in early childhood, Flanagan said. This council will help us all better
understand local issues and connect with local stakeholders.