PARENT COALITION:

The Parent Coalition is a branch of the Great Start Collaborative that is comprised of parents that represent a diverse cross-section of our community. All parents of children 12 and under are invited to be a part of this supportive network of friends. As a part of the Great Start Collaborative, we believe all children should enter school safe, healthy, and ready to succeed. We focus on children 0-5 because parents are their child's first teachers and so much of their future success begins at home during these years.

As a member, parents will have access to training in leadership and early childhood advocacy, they'll provide valuable feedback, and build a supportive network of friends. As part of the Great Start Collaborative, they will establish and participate in various learning and child development activities including such things as dances, coloring contests, tours of places like veteranary clinics, pizzerias, farms, and any other family-building events the community needs - all at little or no cost to families.

To be a part of this growing coalition and remain informed of upcoming meetings and events, please contact Lisa Tinkey, Parent Liaison for the Hillsdale County Great Start Collaborative.

Click here to view our Parent Coalition brochure.

HOW TO STAY INVOLVED:

Parents can decide their level of involvement depending on their own availability. All parents wishing to maintain the minimum level of involvement should provide contact information to the Parent Liaison, Lisa Tinkey, to receive mailings and/or e-mails of current events, news, and activities.

What works best for your family?

• Supportive members – parents who attend events and activities and actively

relay information among their own community circles.

• Parent members - parents who attend meetings regularly, volunteer at Parent

Coalition and Great Start Collaborative events and activities and actively relay
information among their own community circles.

• GSC Parent members – parents who serve on both the Parent Coalition and the

Great Start Collaborative.