Convening Groups

The Collaborative has broken into Convening Groups to address the Goals of Creating Young Stars our long-term strategic plan. The groups are organized around the five points of our star and are convened by leaders of Muskegon agencies.

Basic Needs, Economic Security & Child Safety
- Development of a comprehensive child abuse prevention plan
  - Child Abuse Council, Jeanie Colello
- Development of a comprehensive early childhood injury prevention education and service program
  - Safe Kids Muskegon , Holly Alway
- All children in Muskegon County have adequate,safe and sustainable shelter
  - Muskegon Continuum of Care, Judy Kell
Physical Health Care
- All children in Muskegon County have a medical and dental home
  - Hackley Community Care , Linda Juarez and Muskegon Family Care , Donna Littlejohn
- Promote the prevention of childhood obesity
  - Muskegon Community Health Project , Laura Fitzpatrick
- Increase the number of children under age six who receive appropriate child development service.
  - Early On , Louanne Utzinger
- Reduce preventable infant deaths
  - FIMR , Laurel Sproul
- Coordinate breast feeding services throughout Muskegon County
  - MSU Extension , Mary Robb
Social-Emotional Health Care
- Develop a comprehensive and universal social emotional screening process that includes all children from birth to five years of age.
  - Community Mental Health , Dave Parnin
Parenting Education & Family Support
- Enhance Parenting education and support for young families
  - Pathways , Joyce Bos
- Better connect families to parenting resources
  - Family Resource Centers , Gary Tornga
Early Care and Education
- Develop a county-wide network of child care providers
  - Pathways , Joan Muessin
- Provide accessible, affordable and quality preschool options for all Muskegon three-and four-year old children
  - Muskegon Oceana Headstart , Stuart Jones
- Create a passionate community-wide culture that embraces early reading from the first days of life
  - Hackley Life Counseling , Sue Cook