The Star Gazette
In this Edition:
  • Share Your Story
  • Pilot Opportunity - Thank you!
  • Free Online MiRegistry Training Series
  • How Can My Qualifications Earn Credit for GSQ?
  • Let Families Know if Your Program is Open
Share Your Story
Do you have an inspiring story about how Great Start to Quality (GSQ) supports your program’s quality improvement? Did a family in your community use Great Start to Quality to lead them to your program? We want to hear about it! 

In partnership with the Michigan Department of Education-Office of Great Start we are launching an effort to gather experiences related to GSQ and how it has benefited programs, educators, families and communities. These stories are important in demonstrating the impact Great Start to Quality has on increasing access to high-quality care and giving families the information they need to find the right care setting to meet their needs. Please share this opportunity widely; the more voices the better. Share your story now!
Pilot Opportunity - Thank you!
We received an overwhelming response to the call for providers to pilot recommended Quality Indicator improvements for Great Start to Quality. Pilot participants have been selected to ensure a broad representation of program types, ages served, and locations across the state. Each provider who expressed interested will be contacted to notify them if they were selected. For those programs that were not selected for this pilot round, we anticipate other ways to provide feedback in the coming months as improvement to Great Start to Quality continue to develop. The pilot will take place through the month of April and inform scoring and language changes to better support providers. Want to learn more about the pilot and the improvements to Great Start to Quality? Visit our webpage.
Free MiRegistry Online Training Series 
To help programs and organizations offer in-house training through MiRegistry, a FREE 3-part training is available. This training will walk attendees through the steps to add the necessary Training Sponsor Organization (TSO) designation to their MiRegistry Organization Profile. While this training is available for anyone to take, it is geared toward program or organization directors and/or administrators and counts for GSQ.

Part 1: Trainer Application Process (1 hour)
Part of adding the TSO designation for your MiRegistry Organization Profile is having an approved trainer on staff. Part 1 of this training series focuses on the trainer application process. If you OR anyone you know is interested in becoming an approved trainer, this 1-hour training is highly recommended.

Part 2: Become a Training Sponsor Organization (1 hour)
Part 2 of this training series focuses on the steps to add a TSO designation to your MiRegistry Organization Profile. This training is specifically for directors or administrators who manage their program's MiRegistry Organization Profile.

Part 3: Entering Courses and Events (1.5 hours)
After your MiRegistry Organization Profile is designated as a Training Sponsor Organization (TSO), you are all set to submit training to MiRegistry for approval. Part 3 of this training series focuses on how to enter courses and schedule events in MiRegistry.
How Can My Qualifications Earn Credit for GSQ?
As a reminder, MiRegistry now verifies all qualifications for Great Start to Quality. In order to get qualifications verified you will need to become a MiRegistry Member or renew you MiRegistry membership.

Become a MiRegistry Member: All program staff must become a MiRegistry Member by submitting an online application and sending in acceptable documentation for MiRegistry to verify an individual’s education history, qualifications, credentials, and professional development hours. Please note, all staff must also have your program listed as their employer on their MiRegistry Profile/membership application.

Additional information about MiRegistry membership:
  • Membership processing can take up to 10 weeks: Individuals cannot edit (e.g., add employment or personal information) their profile during this time as MiRegistry is processing application information. If the program is already star rated, please consider this timeline prior to your rating expiring.
  • Documentation: It is recommended that individuals request their official transcripts (if applicable) and send (email, fax, or mail) all professional development right after submitting their MiRegistry membership application. This can all be done on the same day, which will streamline the process. To learn more about sending documentation, download the Acceptable Documentation Policy guide.

Additional questions not listed or addressed here, please directly connect with the MiRegistry team at support@miregistry.org.
Let Families Know if Your Program is Open
Did your program close for a period of time, but is now open? Let families know! Great Start to Quality collects open/closed statuses of child care providers so that families searching for care know which programs are open and accepting children. Be sure to complete the simple survey on your Great Start to Quality profile to share if your program is currently open or closed. So far, 85% of licensed programs have responded – make sure your program's status is included!  

Go to www.greatstarttoquality.org to fill out or update your profile. Need help? Call your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center: 1-877-614-7328. 
Great Start to Quality on Facebook
Great Start to Quality is on Facebook! Like and follow our page to get the latest updates for you and resources to share with your colleagues and families. 
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If you are thinking about how to maintain or continue making quality improvement, or if you’re ready to learn more and need help, contact your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center by calling 1-877-614-7328 or visit www.greatstarttoquality.org.
Funding from the Office of Great Start within the Michigan Department of Education supports the implementation of Great Start.