Northern ECSN

The Northern Early Childhood Support Network (ECSN) is one of four regions throughout the state of Michigan; Eastern, Northern, Southeastern, and Western. The network regions are designed to provide development of, and facilitate access to, a coordinated, easy-to-navigate early childhood system for providers and families that addresses the needs of the whole child.

The Northern Early Childhood Support Network (NECSN) is a leader in providing timely communications, high quality coaching, and training and technical assistance to the early childhood field, including the Great Start Collaboratives, Great Start Parent Coalitions, and Great Start to Quality Resource Centers within the 36 county region. The NECSN supports all early childhood partners to focus on quality improvement, data-based decision making, and systems building through collaboration and relationships to improve outcomes for children and families in rural Northern Michigan and the state. The NECSN is one of four Early Childhood Support Networks in the state of Michigan and supports the following 36 counties in rural Northern Michigan: Alcona, Alger, Alpena, Antrim, Baraga, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Iosco, Iron, Kalkaska, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Schoolcraft, and Wexford.  

The Northern ECSN facilitates cross-sector collaboration within the region for maximum utilization of federal, state and local resources to promote quality childcare provision and equitable access to early childhood support and services. The ECSN provides systems development, professional learning and technical assistance for the Great Start Network, which includes the Great Start to Quality Resource Centers, Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions. The ECSNs are funded by the Michigan Department of Education through federal Child Care Development Funds.

Resources Centers within ECSN Region:

Northern ECSN Staff

Rachael Birgy – Northern Early Childhood Support Network Training and Technical Assistance Specialist
(231) 384-0926
rbirgy@eupschools.org
Yvonne Donohoe – Traverse Bay Intermediate School District Director of Early Childhood
(231) 676-8228
ydonohoe@tbaisd.org
Robin Hornkohl – Northern Early Childhood Support Network Communications and Training Project Administrator 
(231) 499-1484
rhornkohl@eupschools.org
Alicia Lawlor – Northern Early Childhood Support Network Compliance and Monitoring Project Administrator 
(906) 632-3373 ext. 5141
alawlor@eupschools.org
Katie Lohff – Northern Early Childhood Support Network Compliance and Monitoring Project Administrator 
(906) 632-3373 ext. 5141
klohff@eupschools.org 
Jessica Savoie – Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District Director of Early Childhood
(906) 632-3373 ext. 5142
jessicas@eupschools.org  

Contact us!

Robin Hornkohl:
Northern Early Childhood Support Network Project Administrator of Communications, Training, and Technical Assistance
(231) 499-1484
rhornkohl@eupschools.org