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GSRP Grant
The UM-Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) has been awarded its second three-year competitive grant for the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP, formerly MSRP) from the Michigan Department of Education. The grant totals $61,200 per year, renewable for three years. This will fund the tuition for a high quality preschool program for 4-year-old children who may be at risk of becoming educationally disadvantaged or who may exhibit special needs. Studies conducted by High/Scope Educational Research Foundation have shown that children who are at risk and participate in such quality preschool programs are better prepared upon entering school and continue to show academic progress five years later.
The grant allows 18 children per year to attend the ECEC program for four half-days free of charge during the school year. To qualify for the grant, children must have at least two risk factors; the majority of the children have low income as one of the risk factors. Priority for participation in the grant program will be given to student, staff and faculty families.
Located on campus, the ECEC has provided a quality preschool program to children of students, faculty, staff and the community for over 25 years. The UM-D central administration and the ECEC recognizes the cost of high quality education and care. The central administration has provided additional funding for teacher salaries and technology. Scholarships are also offered during the Fall and Winter terms to help defray tuition costs for current ECEC families. The ECEC applied for renewal of the GSRP grant as part of it's continuing efforts to make the our program available to children at risk particularly for families who are in financial need.
To be eligible for the grant, children must be 4 years old by December 1st of the school year for which you apply and exhibit at least two factors that may place them at risk for success in school. The State Department of Education broadly defines 24 risk factors, e.g., low birth weight, low income, parental substance abuse or addiction. We have filled the GSRP spots for the 2008-2009 school year. However, if you or someone you know have a child who may qualify for the GSRP grant for the 2009-2010 school year, please contact the Early Childhood Education Center at (313) 593-5424 for further information on the grant and the application process.