The Status of Children in Muskegon County

Present Status of Muskegon County Efforts on Behalf of Children 0-5 and their Parents

Great Start completed an exhaustive assessment and evaluation data about children from birth to age five to produce Our Earliest Promise , a 2006 report on the status of children in Muskegon County.

While the data analyzed points to some serious challenges in our community, we discovered a deep reserve of assets we can build on to ensure that every child in Muskegon County can be safe, healthy and successful.

More than 100 agencies, faith-based groups, and child care providers have been identified that are providing service for children 0-5 years and their families in Muskegon County.
Muskegon County's health delivery system for young children is well developed anchored by two federally qualified health centers ,Hackley Community Care Center and Muskegon Family Care.
Research indicates that children who attend preschool demonstrate higher levels of success as adult learners, parents, and community members.Muskegon/Oceana Head Start preschool program serves over 900 children .
The Community Coordinating Council is very active in integrating, supporting, and creating community resources through such programs as family resource centers and other special child/parent resources.

With this base of assets and the talent and passion it represents, we feel ready to meet the challenges we face to bring every child in Muskegon County a Great Start in life.

According to the US Census, more than one out of four Muskegon County children aged birth to five live in poverty, well above the state and national averages.
Muskegon County has a 8.6% Infant Mortality Rate; 16.9% among African-Americans.
Muskegon/Oceana Head Start has a waiting list of 300 children.

These statistics illustrate the challenge we face as a community to leverage and expand our resourses in face of the pressure of the greater needs of our children. The Great Start Collaborative is committed to meet these challenges.