The UM-Dearborn Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) has been awarded its second three-year competitive grant for the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) from the Michigan Department of Education. The grant totals $81,600 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 24 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.

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 defines the risk factors, e.g., low birth weight, low income, parental substance abuse or addiction. We have filled our grant spots for the 2012-2013 school year. Please contact the Early Childhood Education Center at (313) 593-5424 for further information on the grant and the application process for the 2013-2014 school year.