Letter from the Director

Dear Community Members,

As a mother of two young children and educator I am proud to serve as the interim director for the Great Start Collaborative serving the counties of Charlevoix, Emmet and northern Antrim counties. When you work with children or have children of your own it is easy to see how quickly their brain develops and the importance of investing in their future at a young age. I have personally seen my son receive Char-Em speech services at the age of 2 ½ and with severe speech issues that convinced me he would need speech well into grade school. His brain was developing so quickly that early intervention has led to the likely hood that he will enter kindergarten without the need for speech services. This has done wonders for his behavior and self esteem because he can communicate and feels understood. This is one example and as a teacher I have several more like this! My own personal example and story has inspired me to tell others just how important and vital it is to recognize that investing in our youngest children benefits all of us.

Recently, I heard a speaker tell a large group how our young children will some day be our CEO’s, doctors, nursing home aids, senators, legislators, teachers and employees. Regardless of who you are or whether you have children or work with children someday these young children will be impacting our lives.  This has made me think, pause and reflect. It also makes me sad that our young children locally and state wide will be devastated and impacted greatly by the proposed senate budget cuts. The children that cannot call and speak for themselves but that need our help and support.

As the new Great Start interim Director and dedicated citizen, mother and educator I promise to work hard with our local organizations, local families and concerned citizens to tackle the local problems that are impacting our local children. I personally believe that leaders, residents, business owners, parents, educators and service providers all want the best for our young 0-5 population and for them to reach their fullest potential and our Great Start Collaborative can be that collective voice that comes together to best support families as they raise their children in our communities.

Sincerely,

Sommer Poquette