2021 Manistee Early Childhood Champion Award

Wexford-Missaukee-Manistee Great Start Collaborative presented West Shore Community College with the 2021 Manistee Early Childhood Champion Award at the August 16, 2021 West Shore Community Board of Trustees meeting.  The Manistee Early Childhood Champion Award is presented to a community organization for increased early childhood programming, early childhood advocacy, and implementing community goals to create systematic change.

West Shore Community College has made many years of significant contributions to the Early Childhood Community. Through 1-year certification, CDA credentialing, and AAAS associates in early childhood education, the college has provided 20+ years of creating an early childhood workforce.  The college has received the National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation, for their teaching standards.  Furthermore, the college’s associate program is articulated with multiple other universities for students to pursue their bachelor’s in early childhood development.

​West Shore Community College is an active partner in the early childhood community by collaborating on committee and stakeholder groups such as the Manistee Early Childhood Collaborative, Michigan Department of Education, MTTC Special Education and Early Care, Out of School Care, and many others.  Furthermore, they work with early childhood providers, preschools, and daycares to provide training and staff support. Additionally, for the past 5 years the college has offered a community Early Childhood Education Summit.  Last year’s summit provided more than 14 hours of professional training hours for the Early Childhood workforce and parents.

Lisa Morley, Early Childhood Education professor at the College, as well as the overall Early Childhood department, has been vital in providing support to the Manistee Early Childhood Community.  Seth Hopkins, Coordinator for Manistee Great Start Collaborative stated during the presentation to the West Shore Community College Trustees,” Lisa has been a wealth of knowledge and has shown her willingness to be a leader in many initiatives. Just recently she received a Manistee County Foundation grant to distribute Personal Protection Equipment supplies needed for the Manistee County Early Childhood preschools and early childhood providers in response to COVID 19 protocols”.  The Wexford-Missuakee-Manistee Great Start Collaborative looks forward to continuing to collaborate with West Shore Community College to better the lives of Manistee children and families!