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State Early Childhood Advisory Councils

State early childhood councils serve many purposes. They can help create greater efficiency in service delivery, save costs, coordinate funding, provide better coordinated and higher quality services to families, coordinate professional development opportunities, and help develop and implement early learning guidelines. Councils can also facilitate public awareness by encouraging more public and legislative engagement.

Councils also build on recent Federal initiatives to encourage statewide collaboration, including the Maternal and Child Health Bureau’s (MCHB) State Early Childhood Comprehensive Services (ECCS) grants, the Head Start Bureau’s Head Start Collaboration offices, the U.S. Department of Education’s State Interagency Coordinating Councils on Early Intervention, and national system-building initiatives. Current and new councils also anticipate the need to address the 2007 Head Start reauthorization requirement that governors designate State Advisory Councils on Early Childhood Education and Care. More information is available at www.govtrack.us/data/us/bills.text/110/h/h1429.pdf.

This document includes some examples of current early learning councils or other coordinating bodies in all States. These examples do not include all early learning advisory councils, but are meant to represent a range of approaches States have taken to develop and implement these councils. Each State example includes information about the council’s mandate and funding, membership, and goals and function. Selected national resources and publications about councils are also included. This information was developed using multiple resources, including Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plans for FY 2008–2009. Additional resources are available via the NCCIC Online Library, which can be accessed at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm?do=oll.search. NCCIC does not endorse any practice, organization, publication, or resource.

Mandate and funding: Early childhood councils have been mandated by gubernatorial executive orders, legislative laws and resolutions, and by public/private collaboration within the State. Funding sources include CCDF, State monies, and private donations.

Membership: Councils always include State agencies and some representatives from the private sector. Membership is often defined by the legislature, and members are appointed by the governor. Some States include only a few nonpublic members, while others include a wide spectrum of people. Some States mandate participation from the following groups:

• Local governments and Tribal officials;
• Legislators;
• Early and school-age care providers;
• Health care providers;
• Statewide professional organizations;
• Parents;
• Foundations and advocates; and/or
• Representatives from diverse areas or cultural groups.

Function/Goal: All councils oversee the ECCS grant within their respective States, and some have additional responsibilities. Some focus primarily on early care, and some address larger family service systems. Additional responsibilities may include the following:

• Providing advice to agency administrators to coordinate interagency service delivery;
• Increasing and sustaining quality early childhood services for children and families;
• Building a comprehensive early childhood system that connects children, families, and resources to quality services in education, health, mental health, and family support;
• Implementing, maintaining, and evaluating the effectiveness of the State’s early and school-age care programs;
• Maximizing funding opportunities;
• Ensuring that every child has the opportunity for high-quality, universal early care;
• Using research to influence/inform decisionmaking; and
• Reporting to State legislatures and governors.

The following is a sample of State early childhood services coordinating entities organized by Administration for Children and Families Region.

REGION I

Connecticut

Connecticut Commission on Children

Web: www.cga.ct.gov/COC

Mandate: Chapter 814d,Section 46a-126. The commission was created in 1985 by the Connecticut General Assembly. Additional information is available at www.cga.ct.gov/2005/pub/Chap814d.htm.

Membership: The commission is made up of legislative committee chairs, governor’s appointees, judicial representatives, and advocates appointed by legislative leaders. A list of members is available at www.cga.ct.gov/COC/members.htm.

Function/Goal: The commission’s goal is to identify and promote public policy and coordinated efforts that support and improve the development of children and strengthen the capability of families to provide for children’s basic needs. Some of its functions include the following:

• Assess and coordinate State programs affecting children;
• Conduct research on issues that affect children;
• Provide information, research, and policy recommendations annually to the legislature and the governor;
• Review responsibilities of the executive and judicial branches and receive their research recommendations;
• Enlist support of business, education, State and local governments, and the media to improve policies, service delivery, and the State budget process; and
• Serve as liaison between government and private groups concerned with children.

Connecticut Child Day Care Council

Web: www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2345&q=304858

Mandate: Section 17b-748 of the General Statutes in 1988 established the council. An Act Concerning the Child Day Care Council is available at

http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_lpa.asp?cmd=getdoc&DocId=1555&
Index=I%3A%5Czindex%5C1988&HitCount=0&hits=&hc=0&req=&Item=8485.

Membership: Members are appointed by the governor. There are representatives from the public and private sectors. A list of required members is available at

http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_lpa.asp?cmd=getdoc&DocId=1555&Index=I%3A%5Czindex%
5C1988&HitCount=0&hits=&hc=0&req=&Item=8485.

Function/Goal:

• The council makes recommendations to the commissioners of Social Services and Public Health and Addiction Services regarding child care licensing standards and on planning for child care services;
• The council also studies issues affecting child day care and makes recommendations to the General Assembly; and
• The council serves as an advisory committee to the Department of Social Services in development of the State child care plan and conducts biennial hearings on the plan.

Early Childhood Research and Policy Council

Web: www.ecpolicycouncil.org/about.php

Mandate: Executive Order 13 by Governor M. Jodi Rell in February 2006. Additional information is available at www.ecpolicycouncil.org/docs/council_docs/Executive_Order_No_13.pdf.

Membership: The council is composed of 31 members appointed by the governor. A list of required members is available at www.ecpolicycouncil.org/docs/council_docs/Executive_Order_No_13.pdf.

Function/Goal:

• Advise the Early Childhood Education Cabinet regarding investments in early childhood initiatives;
• Recommend how to build/support a network of early childhood researchers in the State’s education system;
• Engage researchers in designing studies about children’s development;
• Examine possible strategies that would increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the early care and education industry;
• Consult with the Early Childhood Education Cabinet on preparing its investment plan; and
• Monitor ongoing implementation of the plan.

Maine

Maine Child Care Advisory Council

Web: www.state.me.us/dhhs/ocfs/ec/occhs/advisorycouncil.htm

Mandate: The council was established through State law in 1993.

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sector. A list of the 24 members in 2007 is available at http://mainegov-images.informe.org/dhhs/ocfs/ec/occhs/childcareadvisorycouncilreporttolegislature.pdf.

Function/Goal:

• The council advises the Legislature and Department of Health and Human Services regarding child care services throughout the State.
• The council’s mandate is to encourage development of child care policies that promote quality, consistency, and effectiveness of child care in Maine; are coordinated among all State agencies; and are integrated into a system of comprehensive services for children and families. The council served in an advisory capacity on the use of quality funds.

Maine Children’s Cabinet

Web: www.state.me.us/cabinet

Mandate: The cabinet was established in 1995 by Governor King.

Membership: Membership includes representatives from the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Resources, Department of Public Safety, Department of Corrections, Department of Labor, Governor’s Office, Communities for Children and Youth, and Cabinet staff. A list of the members is available at www.state.me.us/cabinet/members.html.

Function/Goal:

• Provide cross-agency coordination for program and policy development;
• Leverage resources to maximize collaborative funding and ensure the best use of Federal funding streams; and
• Establish administrative priorities across the departments, agencies, and bureaus in the State.

Massachusetts

Board, Department of Early Care and Education

Web: www.eec.state.ma.us

Mandate: Information about the board is in An Act Establishing Early Education for All: 2005-2006 Legislative Session, which is available at www.strategiesforchildren.org/eea/1about_docs/07_1175303.pdf.

Membership: There are 11 members from the public and private sectors. A list of members is available at www.eec.state.ma.us/oo_bod.aspx.

Function/Goal: The board is responsible for developing and implementing Early Education for All in accordance with the provision of the Act for Establishing Early Education for All and in accordance with Chapter 205 of the Acts of 2004. Additional information about requirements is in An Act Establishing Early Education for All: 2005-2006 Legislative Session, which is available at www.strategiesforchildren.org/eea/1about_docs/07_1175303.pdf.

Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out-of-School Time

Web: www.massafterschoolcomm.org

Mandate: The commission was created by the legislature in 2006.

Membership: The commission has 36 members representing community and faith-based organizations, public and private schools, child care organizations, advocacy groups, and parent-teacher organizations. A list of members is available at www.massafterschoolcomm.org/meet-members.htm.

Function/Goal: The commission is responsible for studying and recommending how to better define, coordinate, expand, finance, and improve accessibility of out-of-school programs in the State.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Child Care Advisory Council

Web: www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/DCYF/z1-nhccac.htm

Mandate: The New Hampshire Child Care Advisory Council is a legislatively enacted forum.

Membership: Members represent State agencies, Federal programs, and public and private statewide and community programs. A list of 2008 members is available at www.dhhs.state.nh.us/NR/rdonlyres/
e7mxoebtwgff27nmwcwrkdc23ndkudnjruh3p2e3y57qwk4dfh5mtz7dz7ppmjyyryjx7c26mip4eyocb22pw7fa2ma/
ccac_08minutes.pdf.

Function/Goal:

• Ensure coordination among agencies, programs, and entities serving children and families;
• Further development of high-quality and affordable child care;
• Provide a forum for groups concerned with child care and related services;
• Advise the commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services on policies and legislation regarding child care;
• Communicate with the governor and the commissioner of the Department of Education on early childhood initiatives and needs; and
• Advise the Child Development Bureau on priorities.

Rhode Island

Successful Start Partnership

Web: www.health.state.ri.us/family/successfulstart/index.php

Mandate: The partnership is administered by the Rhode Island Department of Health, Division of Family Health.

Membership: The partnership is made up of more than 200 early childhood leaders, including all the State departments that administer programs for young children, community-based agencies, child care providers, health care and mental health professionals, child advocates, and parents.

Function/Goal:

• Coordinate services across CCDF, Head Start, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), public school programs, and early intervention services.
• To bring agency staff and community partners together to maintain momentum in systems building within critical component areas, including early care and education.

Rhode Island Children’s Cabinet

Web: www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/MultiPiecePage.asp_Q_PageID_E_245_A_PageName_E_childrenscabinet

Mandate: The cabinet was created in 1991 by State law (RI GL 42-72.5).

Membership: The cabinet is composed of the directors of the State departments that serve children and families, including Department of Human Services; Department of Health; Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families; Department of Labor and Training; Department of Administration; Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals; Rhode Island Higher Education Systems Authority; and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Membership also includes the governor’s policy director and the Rhode Island child support enforcement administrator.

Function/Goal: The cabinet’s goal is to foster cooperative State efforts to address the needs of children and families in an integrated and effective way. The cabinet functions as an information exchange forum among State departments, private service agencies, and the public. The cabinet is committed to working toward the following goals:

• All children will enter school ready to learn;
• All youth will leave school prepared to lead productive lives;
• All children and youth will be safe in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods;
• All families shall be economically self-sufficient yet interdependent.

Vermont

Building Bright Futures Council

Web: http://governor.vermont.gov/tools/index.php?topic=BoardsAndCommissions&id=2020&v=Article

Mandate: Executive Order of Governor Jim Douglas, June 2006. Additional information is available at http://governor.vermont.gov/tools/index.php?topic=ExecutiveOrders&id=1907&v=Article.

Membership: Most of the up to 19 members are appointed by the governor. The appointed agencies include Department of Education, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Agency of Human Services, Department of Health, and Department for Children and Families. There are representatives and joint leadership from the public and private sectors. A list of required members is available at http://governor.vermont.gov/tools/index.php?topic=ExecutiveOrders&id=1907&v=Article.

Function/Goal: The council’s functions are as follows:

• Provide a forum that brings together all entities in the State involved in the provision and funding of early childhood services, including the private and business sectors;
• Coordinate and oversee Vermont’s early childhood care, health, and education system;
• Establish policies and outcomes for the early childhood system, including fundraising endeavors;
• Implement Build Bright Futures at the State and regional levels;
• Draft passage of supporting legislation that will establish a permanent public instrument to carry out the work in the future; and
• Ensure ongoing coordination between programs and agencies.

REGION II

New Jersey

New Jersey Child Care Advisory Council

Web: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ccac/index.htm

Mandate: The New Jersey Child Care Advisory Council was established by the New Jersey Legislature with the passage of the Child Care Center Licensing Act (P.L. 1983, c. 492, amended by P.L. 1992, c.95).

Membership: The council is made up of voting members from the early care and education and child advocacy communities, nonvoting government staff from the departments cited in the enabling legislation, and from the Departments of Education, Health and Senior Services, and Labor and Workforce Development. Members of the council are selected in one of two ways: (1) by statewide child care and child advocacy organizations, or (2) by appointment as at-large members by directors of the Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development, and the Department of Community Affairs’ Division on Women. A list of members is available at www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ccac/members.htm.

Function: The advisory council is responsible for the following:

• Reviewing rules and regulations or proposed revisions to existing rules and regulations governing the licensing of child care centers;
• Reviewing proposed statutory amendments governing the licensing of child care centers and making recommendations to the commissioner;
• Advising the commissioner on the administration of the licensing responsibilities under this act;
• Advising the commissioners of Human Services, Children and Families, Community Affairs, and other appropriate units of State government on the needs, priorities, programs, and policies relating to child care throughout the State;
• Studying and recommending alternative resources for child care; and
• Facilitating employer-supported child care through information and technical assistance.

New York

Governor’s Children’s Cabinet

Web: www.ccf.state.ny.us/Initiatives/CabHome.htm

Mandate: The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet (referred to as Children’s Cabinet) was established by Executive Order on June 12, 2007. The Executive Order is available at www.ccf.state.ny.us/Initiatives/CabRelate/CabinetResources/ChildrensCabinetExecOrder.pdf.

Membership: The Children’s Cabinet consists of members appointed by the governor; a list of members is available at www.ccf.state.ny.us/Initiatives/CabHome.htm#advBoard.

Function: The mission of the Children’s Cabinet is to advise and make recommendations to the governor on the most effective policies and programs that promote the governor’s Birth to Five Agenda and other priorities, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Implementation of universal children’s health insurance;
• Implementation of universal prekindergarten throughout New York State; and
• Development of a legislative program focused on the governor’s Birth to Five Agenda.

Region III

Delaware

Delaware Early Care and Education Council

Web: www.doe.k12.de.us/programs/earlychildhood/decc.shtml

Mandate: Governor Minner signed an executive order in 2001 to establish the council. On June 28, 2007, Governor Minner signed HB 126 to codify the council.

Membership: There are 17 members of the council, appointed by the Interagency Resource Management Committee (IRMC). A list of members is available at www.doe.k12.de.us/programs/earlychildhood/Delaware%20Early%20Childhood%20Council%20Members.doc.

Function/Goal: The council is charged with advising the Interagency Resource Management Council on implementation of the Early Success Plan, which provides technical assistance, planning, and evaluation assistance to child care centers and family child care providers.

District of Columbia

Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Early Childhood Development

Web: http://seo.dc.gov/seo/cwp/view,a,1224,q,562117.asp

Mandate: The committee was established in 1979 and re-established through Mayor’s Order 88-96 in 1988.

Membership: The committee has 31 members. Members are appointed by the mayor.

Function/Goal: The committee is charged with the following:

• Provide a forum for analyzing issues related to collaboration, coordination, and recommendation of policy and practice changes;
• Provide/submit an annual report of activities and recommendations to the mayor.

Maryland

Maryland Children’s Cabinet

Web: www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/cabinet/html/child.html

Mandate: The cabinet was created by the governor in 1987 as the Sub-Cabinet for Children and Youth.

Membership: Members include representatives from the following:

• Department of Budget and Management;
• Department of Disabilities;
• Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;
• Department of Human Resources;
• Department of Juvenile Services; and
• Department of Education.

A list of the members is available at www.ocyf.state.md.us.

Function/Goal:

• Coordinate programs, budgets, and policies to ensure an effective, efficient, and comprehensive service delivery system within the State; and
• Develop a 3-year State delivery of service plan and interagency policies on efficient interagency use of Federal and State funds.

Pennsylvania

Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Families

Web: www.dpw.state.pa.us/About/Secretary/ChildrenFamiliesCabinet/

Mandate: The cabinet was created through an executive order by Governor Ed Rendell in September 2003. More information about the executive order is available at www.oa.state.pa.us/oac/cwp/view.asp?A=351&Q=177796.

Membership: There are 11 members in the cabinet, including staff from the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Insurance, Department of Budget, and Department of Labor and Industry.

Function/goal: The cabinet is charged with the following:

• Coordination and oversight of the agencies that serve children and families;
• Development of strategies to streamline the navigation process of families through the system; and
• Development of a statewide advisory commission that identifies barriers in service delivery.

Virginia

Start Strong Council

Web: www.education.virginia.gov/Initiatives/EarlyChildhood/StartStrong/index.cfm

Mandate: Governor Kaine created the council through an executive order in January 2006. More information about the executive order is available at www.governor.virginia.gov/Initiatives/ExecutiveOrders/2006/EO_7.cfm.

Membership: Members include legislators, representatives of the public school system, private providers of early childhood education programs, elected local government officials, community and business leaders, and parents.

Function/Goal:

• Develop statewide goals and best practices for expanding opportunities for 4-year-olds to access quality prekindergarten programs, and encourage communities to identify local strengths and challenges in reaching the statewide goals.
• Oversee development and implementation of guidelines for local Start Strong programs including, but not limited to, transportation arrangements and eligibility criteria for participating students, qualifications for instructional personnel and administrators, inclusion of privately operated preschool programs, and policies for communication and cooperation with local Head Start and at-risk programs and local school boards;
• Develop guidelines for awarding grants to local Start Strong councils;
• Advise the governor, secretary of education, and secretary of health and human resources on proposed policy and operational changes that facilitate interagency service development and implementation, communication, and cooperation;
• Identify and establish early childhood education goals for local Start Strong councils;
• Recommend funding and strategies necessary to increase access to high-quality preschool in the Commonwealth, in cooperation with local Start Strong councils; and
• Examine other issues as appropriate.

Child Day Care Council

Web: www.dss.state.va.us/geninfo/cdc_council/index.html

Mandate: The council was established by the General Assembly in 1987 and is authorized by the Code of Virginia. More information about the statutory authority is available in “Appendix A” of the Commonwealth of Virginia Child Day Care Council Strategic Plan 2006-2011 at www.dss.state.va.us/geninfo/cdc_council/cdcc_strategic_plan.pdf.

Membership: The council is made up of 28 members. All members are appointed by the governor and represent a variety of interests from around the State.

Function/Goal: The council is charged with adopting regulatory standards for licensure and operation of child day care centers in Virginia, including determining what regulatory changes would be more conducive to the welfare of children. Council goals include the following:

• Develop and modify regulations that promote and protect the well-being and safety of all children;
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of existing regulations;
• Collaborate with the Department of Social Services to enhance training opportunities;
• Increase awareness and support development of funding opportunities to ensure that licensed operations can meet promulgated regulations; and
• Improve awareness and perception of the council.

West Virginia

Partners Implementing an Early Care and Education System (PIECES)

Web: www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/ece/pieces/

Mandate: Governor Joe Manchin issued an executive order that empowers the PIECES Advisory Council to study governance of early childhood, develop quality standards, and examine financing of an early care and education program.

Membership: Membership includes representatives of the State Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) and Department of Education (DOE), county departments for both agencies, child care, Head Start and prekindergarten providers, the teacher’s union, the Higher Education Policy Commission, attorneys, parents and communities, child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies, early childhood training providers, State advocacy groups, and the legislature.

Function/Goal:

• Develop a comprehensive plan of early care and education that coordinates early care and education programs;
• Create guidelines for local collaborative groups to reduce duplication and maximize resources;
• Establish rules for programs that participate in provision of universal prekindergarten services for 4-year-old children;
• Develop a process and guidelines for DHHR and DOE to approve county plans for universal prekindergarten programs;
• Improve the involvement and support of business in early care and education;
• Recommend legislation for comprehensive programs for children birth through 5, as well as recommendations for any additional funding; and
• Provide information about meetings and council decisions to their constituencies.

REGION IV

Alabama

Department of Children’s Affairs (DCA)

Web: http://dca.state.al.us/

Mandate: DCA is a State executive branch agency that was created by legislation in 1999 (Ala. Code Sec. 26-24-1).

Membership: The Commissioner of the Department of Children’s Affairs serves as chairman of the Alabama Children’s Policy Council, and DCA performs all of the duties and mission of the council. The council includes heads of all State agencies that serve children and other government and nongovernmental organizations.

Function/Goal: The Department of Children’s Affairs advises the governor and legislature in matters relating to children’s issues and serves as a liaison between State agencies serving children. Under the direction of the commissioner, DCA does the following:

• Advises the governor and the legislature in matters relating to the coordination of services for children;
• Serves as a liaison between the governor and State agencies providing programs or services for children;
• Educates and informs legislators and other elected officials about issues affecting children;
• Prepares and submits legislation for approval and adoption by the Children’s Policy Council that is required to meet the unmet needs of children by further development and improvement of children services;
• Prepares and submits annual reports to the governor and the legislature;
• Initiates a network of local and community groups and child advocates to enable organizations to coordinate activities and assist and educate each other;
• Actively seeks and applies for Federal and private grants to fund children’s programs.
• Establishes a repository for information about programs that offer services for, or are for the benefit of, or in any way affect Alabama’s children;
• Reviews the budget requests for children’s services of State agencies that administer children’s programs other than education programs offered by the Department of Education for K-12;
• Works with the State and county children’s policy councils and the State and county children’s services facilitation teams in order to ensure that a comprehensive coordinated effort is in place to provide for children’s services;
• Requests any State or local agency or department that administers programs that directly affect Alabama’s children to submit information deemed necessary to evaluate and assess the relationship between children’s programs and the effectiveness of those programs; and
• Establishes a database of services offered by several State and local agencies, and develops a system to provide for better coordination of services.

Florida

Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC)

Web: www.floridajobs.org/earlylearning/EarlyLearningAdvisoryCouncilELAC.html

Mandate: The council was established by Statute (Florida Statute s. 1002.77). Additional information is available at www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch1002/ch1002.htm.

Membership: The advisory council shall be composed of the following members:

• The chair of the advisory council who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor;
• The chair of each early learning coalition;
• One member who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the president of the senate; and
• One member who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the speaker of the house of representatives.

The chair of the advisory council appointed by the governor and the members appointed by the presiding officers of the legislature must each have a background in early learning.

Function/Goal: To submit recommendations to the Department of Education and the Agency for Workforce Innovation Office of Early Learning on early learning policies throughout the State,. All ELAC meetings are open to the public, provide opportunities for public comment, and noticed in accordance with s.286.011, F.S.

Child Care Executive Partnership Board

Web: www.ccep.bz/index.aspx

Mandate: The board was established through the 2002 Florida Statutes: 409.178 Child Care Executive Partnership Act.

Membership: The board is staffed by the Department of Children and Family Services and consists of a representative of the Executive Office of the Governor and nine members of the corporate or child care community, appointed by the governor.

Function/goal: The Child Care Executive Partnership shall have all the powers and authority, not explicitly prohibited by statute, necessary to carry out and effectuate the purposes of this section, as well as the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the partnership, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Assisting in the formulation and coordination of the State’s child care policy;
• Adopting an official seal;
• Soliciting, accepting, receiving, investing, and expending funds from public or private sources;
• Contracting with public or private entities as necessary;
• Approving an annual budget;
• Carrying forward any unexpended State appropriations into succeeding fiscal years; and
• Providing a report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate, on or before December 1 of each year.

Georgia

First Lady’s Children’s Cabinet

Web: http://167.198.17.47/mission.asp

Mandate: Not available

Membership: The cabinet membership includes leaders from every State agency responsible for serving children, including the commissioner of the Department of Human Resources, the commissioner of the Department of Community Health, the Commissioner of the Department of Early Care and Learning, the Director of the Children and Youth Coordinating Council, and the State Superintendent of Schools.

Function/goal: The cabinet will collaborate actively in sharing resources and removing barriers to service delivery. Many departments and agencies of State government play vital roles in promoting the welfare of Georgia’s children. The cabinet will develop and implement a strategic plan for coordinating policymaking and planning for all State agencies and programs that are responsible for children and their families. The cabinet focuses on eliminating service gaps, eliminating service duplication, and reducing unnecessary expenditures by emphasizing prevention. The cabinet will be accountable for the outcomes for Georgia’s children as tracked in the Annie E. Casey Kids Count.

Kentucky

Early Childhood Development Authority

Web: www.kde.state.ky.us/KDE/Instructional+Resources/Early+Childhood+Development/
Early+Childhood+Development+Authority.htm

Mandate: The Early Childhood Development Authority was established by the Kentucky Legislature (KRS 200.700).

Membership: The authority consists of the 16 members, a list of which is available at www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/200-00/700.PDF.

Function/Goal: The Early Childhood Development Authority shall establish priorities for programs and the expenditure of funds that include but are not limited to the following:

• Implementation of public health initiatives identified by the General Assembly;
• Provision of preconceptional and prenatal vitamins, with priority for folic acid for the prevention of neural tube defects;
• Voluntary immunization for children not covered by public or private health insurance;
• Availability of high-quality, affordable early child care and education options; and
• Increased public awareness of the importance of the early childhood years for the well-being of all Kentucky’s citizens.

Mississippi

Interagency Coordinating Council for Children and Youth (ICCCY)

Web: Not available

Mandate: Created by legislation in 2001, the Interagency System of Care Council is the State management team for ICCCY and has the responsibility for collecting and analyzing data and funding strategies and making recommendations to the ICCCY and the legislature.

Membership: Members include the superintendent of public education; executive directors of Mental Health, Health, Human Services, and Rehabilitation departments; the executive director of the Division of Medicaid, Office of the Governor; and the executive director of Mississippi Families as Allies for Children’s Mental Health, Inc.

Function/Goal:

• Develop a coordinated interagency system of care for children and youth with serious emotional/behavioral disorders.
• Oversee a pool of State funds that may be contributed by each participating State agency and from the tobacco settlement fund.
• Increase present funding levels by matching Medicaid funds in order to increase the existing resources available for necessary community-based services for Medicaid beneficiaries.

North Carolina

Early Childhood Governance Work Group (ECGG)

Web: Not available

Mandate: Not available

Membership: Participating members of ECGG include high-level eligibility specialists within the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Instruction, the Office of School Readiness/More at Four, the NC Partnership for Children (Smart Start), the NC Interagency Coordinating Council, the NC Head Start Collaboration Office, Child Care Resource and Referral Council Management, and the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute.

Function/Goal: ECGG is responsible for ensuring coordination among programs that serve children and their families. Programs targeted for coordination by the ECGG provide important child and family services such as Medicaid, Health Choice, TANF, Food Stamps, child care subsidy, early intervention, and prekindergarten for at-risk preschoolers.

South Carolina

Child Care Coordinating Council

Web: Not available

Mandate: The Child Care Coordination Council was established by Executive Order 2001-23.

Membership: The Council includes a representative from the following agencies or organizations:

• South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS);
• South Carolina Department of Education;
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control;
• SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs,
• SC Head Start Collaboration Office,
• First Steps and the Office of the Governor.

Additional members represent local United Way/Success By 6 programs, Voices for SC’s Children (a child care advocacy organization), faith-based community service organizations, CCR&R agencies, and child care providers from local communities. The Council was consulted in the development of the CCDF Plan. Individual and/or small group meetings were held with the Catawba Indian Nation, Head Start, SCDSS Family Independence (i.e., TANF) and Child Care Regulatory departments.

Function/Goal: The Council’s purpose is to maximize child care expertise in the State. The Council provides stakeholders with a forum to share information, exchange ideas, provide input on State plans, and develop and coordinate strategies to improve the child care system in the State.

Tennessee

Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth

Web: www.state.tn.us/tccy/

Mandate: The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth was created by legislation in 1988 (Tennessee Code Annotated, Sec. 37-3-100).

Membership: The Commission consists of 21 members appointed by the governor, which include at least one member from each of the State’s nine development districts. The advisory group consists of five youth members. A list of members is available at www.tennessee.gov/tccy/commiss.html.

Function/Goal:

• Serve as an informational resource and advocacy agency for the efficient and effective planning, enhancement, and coordination of State, regional, and local policies, programs, and services to promote and protect the health, well-being, and development of all children and youth;
• Advocate for legislation, policies, and programs to promote and protect the health, well-being, and development of children and youth;
• Provide regional councils for the exchange of information and to encourage mutual support and cooperation;
• Educate the community about the needs and problems of children;
• Coordinate efforts to enhance services for children and youth, especially in the areas of juvenile justice and teen pregnancy prevention;
• Evaluate services to children in State care; and
• Make recommendations regarding the needs and problems of children and youth.

REGION V

Illinois

Illinois Early Learning Council

Web: www.illinois.gov/gov/elc/

Mandate: The Council is governed by Public Act 93-380, the Illinois Early Learning Council Act.

Membership: Council members serve on a voluntary, unpaid basis; represent both public and private organizations; and reflect the regional, cultural, and racial diversity of Illinois. Members serve 3-year terms, except for the initial appointments; half of the initial members were appointed to a 2-year term so that terms are staggered. The president of the senate, minority leader of the senate, speaker of the house of representatives, and minority leader of the house of representatives each appoint one member to the council. All other members are appointed by the governor. A list of current members is available at www.illinois.gov/gov/elc/members.cfm.

Function/Goal: The council is to meet the early learning needs of children from birth to age 5 and their families by establishing a high-quality, accessible, and comprehensive statewide early learning system. The Early Learning Council is focused on several interrelated priorities:

• Refining quality early learning programs for children birth to 3 and 3 to 5, which include ongoing child assessment, quality assurance, and evaluation;
• Developing a plan and cost estimates for expanding access to quality early learning programs and linking these programs to others serving families with young children; and
• Developing the workforce to ensure an adequate and stable supply of highly qualified and diverse people to staff the early learning programs.

Detailed information about goals and objectives is available at www.illinois.gov/gov/elc/goals.cfm.

Indiana

There is no entity in charge of coordination; however, the project Sunny Start: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, funded through the ECCS grant, brings together key stakeholders in the private and public sector to coordinate the delivery of early childhood services.

Web: www.in.gov/isdh/21190.htm

Mandate: The project began in July of 2003 with the ECCS grant from MCHB.

Membership: Members include key stakeholders representing families, State agencies, professional trade associations, public and private early childhood providers, etc. A list of members is available at www.in.gov/isdh/21247.htm.

Function: The mission of the project was to develop a strategic plan to support a coordinated system of resources and supports for young children from birth through age 5 and their families in Indiana. The goal of the project is to ensure that Indiana’s children arrive to school healthy and ready to learn. Some of the functions include the following:

• Implementation of the strategic plan, which focuses on improving the array of services available to young Hoosier children and their families;
• The expansion of the Web site Early Childhood Meeting Place, available at http://earlychildhoodmeetingplace.indiana.edu/index.htm, to provide families and early childhood providers with resource and support information;
• Adoption of Utah Clicks universal application software by the Indiana WINS project;
• Support of a study on the economic dimensions of the child care industry in Indiana; and
• Development of a consensus statement regarding the content and core competencies for social-emotional training activities across all providers/caretakers of young children, birth to 5.

Michigan

The Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC)

Web: www.ecic4kids.org/

Mandate: ECIC was formed in August of 2005 after Governor Granholm called for its creation during her State of the State Speech. ECIC is a public nonprofit corporation created by an interlocal agreement.

Membership: ECIC is governed by a 15-member Executive Committee of the Corporate Board. The list of board members is available at www.ecic4kids.org/board_staff.cfm.

Function/Goal: ECIC was created to ensure that every young child in Michigan arrives at kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school and with parents who are committed to educational achievement. Accomplishing this goal is not the work of any one organization or individual, but will take the combined efforts of parents, community leaders, businesses, the legislature, State and local governments, faith-based organizations, and philanthropy. ECIC is charged with implementing the Great Start Blueprint, which involves a vision and mission aimed at ensuring a Great Start for Michigan’s children aged birth to 5. The Great Start Blueprint is available at www.ecic4kids.org/Great_Start_Blueprint.doc.

Minnesota

State Advisory Council on Early Education and Care

Web: Not available

Mandate: The State Advisory Council on Early Education and Care was created in the omnibus supplemental budget bill, in the spring of 2008. Additional information is available at www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/laws/?id=5&doctype=Chapter&year=2005&type=1.

Membership: The council includes two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker and one appointed by the minority leader; and two members of the senate, appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the Committee on Rules and Administration, including one member of the minority; and two parents with a child under age six.

Function: This council is charged with fulfilling the duties required under the Federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007. The following duties are added to those assigned to the council under Federal law:

• Make recommendations on the most efficient and effective way to leverage State and
  Federal funding streams for early childhood and child care programs;
• Make recommendations on how to coordinate or colocate early childhood and child care programs in one State Office of Early Learning;
• Review program evaluations regarding high-quality early childhood programs; and
• Make recommendations to the governor and legislature, including proposed legislation on how to create a high-quality early childhood system in Minnesota in order to improve the educational outcomes of children so that, by 2020, all children entering kindergarten are ready for school.

Name Not available

Web: Not available

Mandate: This board was created by Section 18 Coordination of Early Care and Education Programs, Article 7, Chapter 5, in Laws of Minnesota 2005 First Special Session, available at www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/laws/?id=5&doctype=Chapter&year=2005&type=1.

Membership: The commissioners of education, human services, and health shall identify how they will coordinate activities and resources, with input from local communities and Tribal governments.

Function: The commissioners shall report to the Senate and House of Representatives committees having jurisdiction over early care and education by March 1, 2006. The report included information about how State agencies are doing the following:

1. Coordinating and disseminating resources and information about school readiness, early care and education, and health and nutrition, including child mental health and family support for the following: (i) Parents and families with children birth to age 5 through key entry points, such as Women, Infants, and Children, family home visiting, child welfare, public and private health care providers, and other public programs; and (ii) Early care and education providers, public and private care providers, foster care providers, temporary care providers, shelters, crisis nurseries, and other facilities providing long-term or temporary care for young children, birth to age 5;
2. Supporting families, schools, and communities in facilitating the transition of young children into the kindergarten environment;
3. Identifying, coordinating, and sharing resources and strategies among State departments that address the cultural and linguistic needs of families served;
4. Amending the State Medicaid plan to expand the use of the child and teen checkup funding for allowable child development services, such as outreach for early childhood screening, and streamlining the process for voluntary certification of school districts as child and teen checkup providers; and
5. Referring children ages 3 to 5 in the child welfare system to the Interagency Early Intervention System for a developmental screening and referral to services if problems are identified.

The report is available at http://education.state.mn.us/mdeprod/groups/EarlyLearning/documents/Report/009191.pdf.

Ohio

Family and Children First Cabinet Council

Web: www.ohiofcf.org/

Mandate: The Family and Children First Cabinet Council was established through the Ohio Revised Code 121.37 [Title 1, Chapter 121 State Departments Miscellaneous].

Membership: The State agency members include the superintendent of public instruction and representatives from the Office of Budget and Management and from the departments of Job and Family Services, Health, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Youth Services, and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. The council has an advisory board consisting of 14 members. The purpose of the board is to provide guidance to the Family and Children First Cabinet Council regarding efforts to meet Ohio’s commitments to child well being. The Advisory Board includes one member from the Governor’s Office, two members of the House of Representatives, each from a different political party, and two members of the Senate, each from a different political party. In addition, the governor, speaker of the house, and president of the senate will each appoint three members of the general public who access services provided by one of the State agencies represented by the council.

Function/goal: In seeking to fulfill its purpose, the council may do any of the following:

• Advise and make recommendations to the governor and general assembly regarding the provision of services to children;
• Advise and assess local governments on the coordination of service delivery to children;
• Hold meetings at such times and places as may be prescribed by the council’s procedures and maintain records of the meetings, except that records identifying individual children are confidential and shall be disclosed only as provided by law;
• Develop programs and projects, including pilot projects, to encourage coordinated efforts at the State and local levels to improve the State’s social service delivery system;
• Enter into contracts with and administer grants to county Family and Children First councils, as well as other county or multicounty organizations to plan and coordinate service delivery between State agencies and local service providers for families and children;
• Enter into contracts with and apply for grants from Federal agencies or private organizations;
• Enter into interagency agreements to encourage coordinated efforts at the State and local level to improve the State’s social service delivery system (the agreements may include provisions regarding the receipt, transfer, and expenditure of funds);
• Identify public and private funding sources for services provided to alleged or adjudicated unruly children and children who are at risk of being alleged or adjudicated unruly children, including regulations governing access to and use of the services;
• Collect information provided by local communities regarding successful programs for prevention, intervention, and treatment of unruly behavior, including evaluations of the programs;
• Identify and disseminate publications regarding alleged or adjudicated unruly children and children who are at risk of being alleged or adjudicated unruly children and regarding programs serving those types of children; and
• Maintain an inventory of strategic planning facilitators for use by government or nonprofit entities that serve alleged or adjudicated unruly children or children who are at risk of being alleged or adjudicated unruly children.

Additional information about the council’s responsibilities is available at www.ohiofcf.org/documents/orc.pdf.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners (WECCP)

Web: www.collaboratingpartners.com/contact.html

Mandate: There is no mandate, and the group is not sanctioned by the State government.

Membership: WECCP is a network of State, regional, and community members; public and private entities; State departments, agencies, and associations; and people working together to make a positive impact on the lives of young children and their families encompassing the areas of early care and education, health, mental health, parent education, and family support. WECCP operates within a structure that includes the following:

• State level: An action team, steering committee, and the overall statewide network.
• Regional level: Action teams, team facilitators, and regional networks.
• Communication and networking systems: State and regional action team meetings, networking conferences (video conferences/Web casts), a Web site, state- and region-specific listserves, collaborative conferences, and a workplan with goals, objectives, and action steps.

Function/goal: WECCP’s objectives are as follows:

• Establish an internal communication system that serves as a model of collaboration, networking, and public relations for the staff, teams, and organizational units within the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) that impact early years of children, birth to age 8.
• Provide ongoing information to the field related to early childhood and the Bright Beginnings Initiatives and establish communications systems that allow feedback and input from the early childhood field, including parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, cooperative educational service agencies, public libraries, governmental and nongovernmental agencies, consumer and professional associations, relevant philanthropic organizations, legislators, and others in the early childhood community.
• Build partnerships with the early childhood community outside of DPI to develop and implement a shared vision of integrated comprehensive delivery of services to young children and their families.
• Develop and promote assessment and instructional methods, which are developmentally appropriate so that each child benefits from an integrated curriculum that enhances his or her strengths and supports his or her areas of need.
• Develop and promote new models for early childhood programs that provide a framework for quality early childhood services for young children birth through age 8 and their families.
• Develop and promote new designs for early childhood facilities that will support quality early childhood services for young children birth through age 8 and their families.
• Engage communities in strategic planning to shift the community values and culture to prevention-based systems that recognize the important role the whole community plays in establishing support to maintain stable families and healthy children.
• Recreate systems to establish a comprehensive system of personnel development and standards that educate, train, and support professionals in implementing quality programs for young children and their families.
• Recreate systems to ensure that parents/families and parent groups/associations are partners throughout the educational process.

REGION VI

Arkansas

Arkansas Early Childhood Commission

Web: www.arkansas.gov/childcare/services/aecc/index.html

Mandate: The Arkansas Early Childhood Commission was created by Act 202 of 1989 (Arkansas Code Annotated 20-78-501). Its functions, duties, and power were amended through Act 324 of 1999.

Membership: There are 18 members in the Early Childhood Commission who are appointed by the governor, and are as follows:

• Three members from child care provider agencies, organizations, or programs;
• Two members from the business community with interests in early childhood education;
• One member appointed by the House Subcommittee on Children and Youth of the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs;
• One member appointed by the Senate Committee on Children and Youth;
• One member appointed by the House Committee on Education;
• One member appointed by the Senate Committee on Education;
• One member from a Head Start program;
• One member from a Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program;
• One member who is a trained early childhood education professional;
• One member who is a parent of a child who attends a child care program;
• One member who is a public school district administrator;
• One member who is a public school district early childhood teacher;
• The Director of the Department of Health;
• The Director of the Vocational and Technical Division of the Department of Education; and
• The Director of the Department of Education.

A list of members is available at www.arkansas.gov/childcare/services/aecc/commissioners.html.

Function/Goal: The primary functions include the following:

• Advise the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education;
• Provide training and technical assistance to professionals in early childhood programs;
• Assist in the development of plans to expand, implement, and develop early childhood programs in the State;
• Facilitate coordination and communication among State agencies;
• Advise the Department of Education and other State agencies about early childhood standards for early childhood programs;
• Promote community support and public awareness about early childhood education programs;
• Review and approve proposed rules and regulations about setting minimum standards governing licenses for child care facilities and the operation of child care facilities;
• Review and select panel members for the Child Care Appeal Review Panel;
• Serve as an advisory body to the Department of Education on early childhood program issues; and
• Report progress toward meeting its duties annually to the House Education Committee and Senate Education Committee.

Arkansas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (AECCS) Initiative

Web: www.arkansas.gov/childcare/services/aeccsi/index.html

Mandate: The AECCS Initiative was approved with the submission of the ECCS grant in July 2006. This initiative is currently in the beginning stages of implementation.

Membership: The council is divided into workgroups, and each group has a cochair and members that represent various State agencies, such as the following:

• Arkansas Department of Human Services;
• Arkansas Department of Education;
• Arkansas Department of Education/Special Education;
• Schools of the 21st Century;
• Arkansas Centers for Effective Parenting;
• Arkansas HIPPY; and
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Function/Goal: The primary function of the council is to increase children and their families’ access to health care and well-being services. This is accomplished through five different work groups that focus on different areas of concern:

1. The Early Care and Education workgroup focuses on school readiness through quality early experiences, and identifies opportunities for cognitive, physical, social, and emotional learning of children.
2. The Medical Homes workgroup addresses concerns about preventive health care, such as access to a primary care physician, health insurance, early identification of developmental delays, and integration with community resources to address children’s needs. One of the primary functions is the health roundtables, currently being conducted across the State, that consist of guided discussions with child care and health professionals to help tackle some of the current barriers in the system.
3. The Family Support workgroup coordinates State efforts to increase the access of families to community resources and empower them to raise healthy families.
4. The Parent Education workgroup is seeking to strengthen the coordination of parenting education opportunities throughout the State and has created a Parenting Education/Involvement Task Force to identify better methods of coordination and establish standards of credentialing for parent educators.
5. The Social-Emotional Health workgroup has partnered with the Medical Homes workgroup to address the needs of early identification of developmental delays. This group has developed a checklist to evaluate developmental screening tools and how they align with the State learning guidelines for children birth to 5.
   

Louisiana

BrightStart

Web: Not available

Mandate: BrightStart was created through funding by the Federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau in September 2006.

Membership: Membership includes representatives from State agencies and child care organizations, including the Department of Social Services.

Function/Goal: The primary function of BrightStart is to support and implement the Louisiana Law HCR 157 passed by legislation in 2005, which specifically states that State entities providing services to young children must collaborate to support a comprehensive early childhood system.

Louisiana Children’s Cabinet

Web: www.gov.state.la.us/ldbc/childrenscabinet/ChildrensHome.htm

Mandate: The Louisiana Children’s Cabinet was created by Act 5 of the 1998 Extraordinary Session and re-established through Act 245. Additional information is available at www.gov.state.la.us/ldbc/sb966.pdf.

Membership: Members include representatives from the following:

• Department of Social Services;
• Department of Health and Hospitals;
• Departments of Public Safety and Corrections;
• Department of Labor;
• State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education;
• Superintendent of Education;
• Commissioner of Administration;
• State legislators;
• Representative of the State Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges; and
• Representative of the Advisory Board.

The governor appoints the executive director of the council. A list of members is available at www.gov.state.la.us/ldbc/childrenscabinet/ChildrensCabinetMembers.htm.

Function/Goal: The functions of the council include the following:

• Facilitating the coordination of policy, planning, and budgeting of programs and services for children and families.
• Coordinating service delivery of programs for children and families.
• Eliminating duplication of services and ensuring an efficient and effective use of resources.
• Developing and implementing a decisionmaking framework to ensure children and families meet the cabinet’s goals.
• Determining indicators of child well-being and monitoring data for evaluation and planning purposes.
• Resolving conflicts among programs and agencies.
• Making recommendations to programs on how to redirect services from crisis intervention to early intervention, prevention, and family preservation.

Goals are available at www.gov.state.la.us/ldbc/childrenscabinet/ChildrensCabinetGoals.htm.

New Mexico

New Mexico Children’s Cabinet

Web: www.ltgovernor.state.nm.us/childrenscabinet.php

Mandate: It was created in 2003 through an Executive Order by Governor Bill Richardson.

Membership: Membership is made up of the lieutenant governor and 11 appointed agency representatives from the following departments:

• Public Education Department;
• Department of Health;
• Human Services Department;
• Children, Youth, and Families Department;
• Aging and Long Term Care;
• Department of Corrections;
• Department of Public Safety;
• Economic Development Department;
• Department of Labor;
• Department of Finance and Administration; and
• Department of Cultural Affairs.

Function/Goal: The primary functions of the Children’s Cabinet include the following:

• Overseeing interagency communication and cross-departmental collaboration efforts;
• Coordinating programs with other State agencies to improve, streamline, and reduce barriers to children’s services; and
• Assisting in developing and establishing comprehensive children and youth policies.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth

Web: www.okkids.org/

Mandate: The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth was established by legislation in 1993.

Membership: Membership includes representatives from the following agencies:

• Department of Education;
• Department of Health;
• Department of Human Services;
• Department of Rehabilitation Services;
• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;
• Office of Juvenile Affairs;
• Juvenile Justice and Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court; and
• Other stakeholders.

Function/Goal: The main goal of this council is to facilitate planning, partnerships, and coordination among State, public, and private agencies to develop comprehensive services for children and youth and prevent child abuse.

Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board (OPSR)

Web: Not available

Mandate: OPSR was created by H.B. 1094 Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Act, which was passed by legislation and signed by Governor Brad Henry in 2003. This legislation was amended in 2007.

Membership: OPSR is made up of 15 representatives, including 2 parents and a licensed child care provider who are appointed by the governor, and 13 representatives from the following agencies:

• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;
• Department of Commerce;
• Department of Libraries;
• Department of Human Services;
• Health Care Authority;
• Commission on Children and Youth;
• Department of Rehabilitation;
• Educational Television Authority;
• Department of Career and Technology Education;
• Regents for Higher Education;
• Superintendent of Public Instruction;
• Commissioner of Health;
• Cabinet Secretary for Education Agencies;
• Oklahoma Department of Human Services;
• Department of Education; and
• Head Start Collaboration Office.

Function/Goal: The work of OPSR is to create a comprehensive policy structure that connects programs, services, ideas, and initiatives for families to ensure young children enter school with the necessary skills to succeed. OPSR will also promote best practices for existing programs, as well as coordinate private and public funds. Branded as Smart Start Oklahoma, there is a network of 16 community initiatives. In addition, the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation, a private 501 3(C) organization, was established to raise private funds to support the efforts of OPSR and maximize the impact of private dollars to influence early care and education opportunities for Oklahoma’s young children.

Texas

Texas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Initiative (TECCS) – Raising Texas

Web: www.raisingtexas.com/

Mandate: TECCS – Raising Texas was created through the State ECCS grant.

Membership: TECCS – Raising Texas membership includes 9 State agencies, 16 community based agencies, and 60 key stakeholders.

Function/goal: TECCS – Raising Texas focuses on strengthening the systems that support school readiness to help children enter school ready to learn. The following are the key functions:

• Increase access to and insurance support for medical homes providing comprehensive physical and child development services for all children, including children with special health care needs, and assessment, intervention, and referral of children with developmental, behavioral, and psychosocial problems;
• Promote the availability of services to address the needs of children at risk for the development of mental health problems and the integration of necessary pathways to facilitate entrance of at-risk children into appropriate child development and mental health delivery systems;
• Integrate early care and education services for children from birth through 5 years of age that support children’s early learning, health, and development of social competence; and
• Increase the availability of comprehensive parenting education services in the community; and
• Increase the availability of comprehensive family support services that address the stressors impairing the ability of families to nurture and support the healthy development of their children.

REGION VII

Iowa

Iowa State Empowerment Board

Web: www.empowerment.state.ia.us/

Mandate: TheIowa State Empowerment Board was created in 1998 by legislation. Additional information is available at www2.legis.state.ia.us/GA/77GA/Legislation/SF/02400/SF02406/Current.html.

Membership: Members include 6 nonvoting legislators and 12 voting legislators, including a service consumer, and five State agency members. These State agencies include the following:

• Department of Education;
• Department of Human Services;
• Department of Public Health;
• Department of Human Rights; and
• Department of Economic Development.

A list of members is available at www.empowerment.state.ia.us/Common/pdf/ieb_membership.pdf.

Function/Goal: The board’s goals include the following:

• Facilitate State and community efforts involving community empowerment areas, such as strategic planning, funding identification, and guidance, and promote collaboration among State and local education, health and human service programs, businesses, faith communities, and any others that may contribute to caring for Iowa’s children successfully;
• Designate a community empowerment assistance team or teams of State agency representatives to provide technical assistance and other support to community empowerment areas;
• Establish a technical assistance system using local representatives of the State agencies represented on the board and other State agencies and people involved with local community empowerment areas; and
• Disseminate information to the governor, Iowa General Assembly, and other stakeholders on the needs of communities and on progress made toward achieving results as measured through the use of performance indicators.

Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) Stakeholders

Web: www.state.ia.us/earlychildhood/

Mandate: ECI Stakeholders was created in 2002 when Iowa received the ECCS grant.

Membership: ECI Stakeholders is made up of representatives from both private and public sectors.

Function/goal: ECI Stakeholders has responsibility for the development of comprehensive early care, health, and education systems. ECI Stakeholders has formed workgroups to address key issues in the early care, health, and education systems, such as the following:

• Quality Programs and Services;
• Professional Development;
• Public Engagement;
• Governance,
• Planning and Administration;
• Resources and Funding; and
• Results Accountability.

Other functions include the following:

• Developing a financing strategy;
• Promoting public awareness;
• Establishing a family support network; and
• Creating an inventory of early childhood programs.

State Child Care Advisory Council (SCCAC)

Web: www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Child_Care/State_Child_Care_Advisoy_Council.html

Mandate: The SCCAC is mandated through the Iowa Code (§237A.22).

Membership: SCCAC is made up of 35 members from rural and urban areas. Members are appointed and include representatives from the following:

• Child care programs;
• Parents;
• CCR&R agencies;
• Child advocacy groups;
• Early childhood educators;
• Department of Human Services (DHS);
• Department of Community Empowerment;
• Department of Public Health;
• Department of Education and Workforce Development;
• Head Start; and
• Legislators representing both major political parties.

A list of members is available at www.dhs.state.ia.us/docs/SCCAC_Members.pdf.

Function/Goal: The primary functions include the following:

• Consulting and recommending to DHS about policies that may impact child care assistance programs;
• Consulting and recommending to DHS about child care related issues, such as quality, licensing, provider trainings, and other related issues;
• Assisting in the development of a comprehensive service delivery system that is easy to access; and
• Collaborating with State agencies and other stakeholders to facilitate and coordinate the delivery of state-funded child care services with other early childhood development programs.
  

Kansas

Early Learning Coordinating Council (ELCC)

Web: www.keccs.org/~eccs/home/governance/index.shtml

Mandate: Information not available

Membership: Membership includes representatives from the following:

• CCDF Lead Agency;
• Head Start Office;
• Kansas Head Start Association;
• Kansas Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies;
• Kansas State Department of Education;
• Kansas Department of Health & Environment;
• Heartland Programs/Head Start;
• Mid-America Regional Council on Early Learning;
• Greater Kansas City Foundation;
• United Methodist Health Ministries;
• Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Health Care Policy;
• State Interagency Coordinating Council on Developmental Disabilities;
• Kansas University – Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive (KECCS) Coordinator; and
• A representative from the Kansas Governor’s Office.

A list of members is available at www.keccs.org/~eccs/pdf/ELCC/ELCC%20Current%20Membership%20List%204-24-2008.pdf.

Function/Goal: ELCC is an interagency group that promotes collaboration to ensure early childhood policy decisions, services, and funding streams are coordinated to maximize service delivery. ELCC is in charge of oversight regarding the development and implementation of the KECCS plans. The KECCS pan establishes the following goals:

• Unite State system components, funding streams, and initiatives;
• Coordinate existing early childhood programs;
• Improve the reach and impact of public and private investments in early childhood; and
• Provide a road map for policymakers, State agencies, and local communities to make programmatic and funding decisions in a unified manner.

Kansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund

Web: www.kschildrenscabinet.org/

Mandate: The 1999 Legislative session created the Kansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund.

Membership: A list of members is available at www.kschildrenscabinet.org/cabinet_members.htm.

Function/Goal: The primary functions of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund include the following:

• Advising the governor and legislatures about use of funds from the Children’s Initiatives Fund;
• Evaluating programs funded through the Children’s Initiatives Fund;
• Assisting the governor in coordinating, developing, and implementing a service delivery system for children and families; and
• Preventing child abuse and neglect through the use of the Children’s Trust Fund.

Other functions include overseeing grants, such as the Smart Start Kansas, Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, and the Early Childhood Block Grant.

Missouri

Early Childhood Coordinating Board

Web: http://governor.mo.gov/boards/cgi/boards.cgi?FUNCTION=MAIN&BOARD=CHILDHOOD

Mandate: The Early Childhood Coordinating Board was established by the Revised Statute (210.102). More information is available at
www.moga.mo.gov/STATUTES/C200-299/2100000102.htm.

Membership: Members are appointed by thegovernor. A list of members is available at http://governor.mo.gov/boards/cgi/boards.cgi?FUNCTION=MEMLIST&BOARD=CHILDHOOD.

Function/Goal: The Early Childhood Coordinating Board serves as the gatekeeper for all early childhood activities in the State, and ensures there is coordination among State departments and agencies that provide services to children.

Children’s Service Commission (CSC)

Web: www.csc.mo.gov/

Mandate: CSC was created in accordance with the Missouri Revised Statutes 210.101 and 210.102. Information about the Revised Statute 210.101 is available at www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c200-299/2100000101.htm , and information about the Revised Statute 210.102 is available at www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c200-299/2100000102.htm.

Membership: Membership is made up of senators, directors of State departments, and representatives of other government and public organizations. A list of members is available at www.csc.mo.gov/members.htm.

Function/Goal: The primary function of the CSC is to identify, evaluate, and make recommendations about the services children and families are receiving and the programs that administer these services.

Missouri Family and Community Trust (FACT)

Web: www.mofact.org/

Mandate: FACT was created by Governor Carnahan through an Executive Order in 1993. More information about the executive order is available at www.mofact.org/who_we_are/executive_order/.

Membership: Seven members come from the following departments:

• Department of Economic Development;
• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education;
• Department of Health and Senior Services;
• Department of Labor and Industrial Relations;
• Department of Mental Health;
• Department of Public Safety; and
• Department of Social Services.

Eight members are leaders of Missouri businesses, educational institutions, philanthropy, and/or civic organizations.

Function/Goal: The function of the council is to coordinate and reform services to improve the lives and well-being of children and families.

Nebraska

Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council (ECICC)

Web: www.nde.state.ne.us/ecicc/

Mandate: The ECICC is mandated by Article 34: Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council. More information is available at
www.nde.state.ne.us/ecicc/ECICC-sections43-3401to3403.pdf.

Membership: Membership is made up of various stakeholders in early childhood who are appointed by the governor, and include representatives from the following:

• Families;
• Early childhood education;
• School districts;
• Social services;
• Health and medical services;
• Child care programs;
• Professional development agencies;
• CCR&R agencies;
• Mental health services;
• Head Start;
• Tribes;
• Higher education institutions;
• Legislature;
• Businesses; and
• Collaborating agencies.

A list of members is available at www.nde.state.ne.us/ecicc/roster0408.pdf.

Function/Goal:

• Promote the policies set forth in the Early Intervention Act, the Quality Child Care Act, and sections 79-1101 to 79-1104, by advising and assisting the colead agencies in the performance of mandated responsibilities;
• Facilitate collaboration with the federally administered Head Start program;
• Make recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Health and Human Services Finance and Support, the Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure, the State Department of Education, and other State agencies responsible for the regulation or provision of early childhood care and education programs on the needs, priorities, and policies relating to such programs throughout the State;
• Make recommendations to the lead agency or agencies that prepare and submit applications for Federal funding;
• Review new or proposed revisions to rules and regulations governing the registration or licensing of early childhood care and education programs;
• Study and recommend additional resources for early childhood care and education programs; and
• Report biennially to the governor and legislature on the status of early intervention and early childhood care and education in the State.

Together for Kids and Families

Web: www.hhs.state.ne.us/LifespanHealth/Together-Kids-Families.htm

Mandate: Together for Kids and Families was created through the ECCS grant.

Membership: The Together for Kids and Families council is divided into various workgroups made up of 8–15 stakeholders, representing family and provider associations, State agencies, private and public organizations, and higher education institutions.

Function/Goal: The primary function of the Together for Kids and Families council is to help the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services partner with other stakeholders in developing services designed to meet all the needs of children and families.

REGION VIII

Colorado

Early Childhood Councils Advisory Team (ECCAT)

Web: www.smartstartcolorado.org/about/readiness_commision.html

Mandate: ECCAT was created through House Bill 07-1062 in 2007. More information is available at www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprevention/download/pdf/hb_07_1062.pdf.

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sector. The majority of ECCAT members represent State and local agencies and organizations involved with the four Smart Start Colorado domains—early and school-age care, health, mental health, and family support. Membership reflects the geographic and cultural diversity of local Early Childhood Councils.

Function/Goal: The Office of the Lieutenant Governor collaborated with the Colorado Department of Human Services to convene the ECCAT in January 2008. With support and collaboration from the departments of Human Services, Education, and Public Health and Environment, ECCAT members are charged with advising and supporting local Early Childhood Councils in their mission to increase and sustain quality early childhood services for children and families in Colorado. The duties and functions of the advisory team, in collaboration with the State department, shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Developing applications and criteria for creation of new or newly identified councils;
• Developing applications and criteria for council infrastructure and quality improvement funding as related to 16 section 26-6.5-103.3 (4) (c);
• Advising on development and implementation of a statewide evaluation of parent involvement and child outcomes related to physical health, social-emotional development and mental health, logic and reasoning, language and literacy, and gross and fine motor skills. The statewide evaluation shall integrate and analyze the local council evaluations and coordinate the evaluation with the Department of Education and Department of Public Health and Environment.
• Advising on development and implementation of an evaluation of barriers to successful council operation, including the efficiency and effectiveness of the State department; and
• Advising on development of local early childhood systems and infrastructure that improve and coordinate early childhood services.

Early Childhood State Systems Team

Web: www.smartstartcolorado.org/about/systems_team.html

Mandate: Information not available

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sectors. A membership list is available at www.smartstartcolorado.org/about/systems_team.html.

Function/Goal: The team is a stakeholder group that provides leadership for development, implementation, and promotion of a sustainable, comprehensive early childhood system for children and families in Colorado. It does the following:

• Provides support to comprehensive early childhood system building efforts at the State and local levels;
• Provides recommendations and feedback to statewide advisory bodies to inform decisionmaking around early childhood systems;
• Collects and disseminates local, statewide, and national lessons learned/promising practices; and
• Identifies and implements more effective and efficient methods to work collaboratively across the early childhood system in order to have a positive impact on child and family outcomes.

Montana

Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council

Web: www.dphhs.mt.gov/boardscouncils/earlychildhood.shtml

Mandate: The council was originally established in 1997. It was combined with the Governor’s Child Care Advisory Council in 1999.

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sectors. The council includes local, State, and Tribal officials; educators; health care providers; parents; child care providers; and advocates for low-income families.

Function: The council helps the Department of Public Health and Human Services implement, maintain, and evaluate the effectiveness of the State’s early and school-age care programs, including the State’s Best Beginnings quality child care initiatives, the child care scholarship program, Head Start State Collaboration efforts, and the Montana Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems efforts. It advises on all aspects of CCDF, including subsidy, quality initiatives, and licensing. The council meets three times a year.

Montana is one of three States that was selected by the National Governors Association in 2006 to receive intensive technical assistance from the NGA Center for Best Practices and a grant of up to $50,000 to support building a comprehensive, coordinated early childhood (birth to age 5) system.

North Dakota

Healthy North Dakota Early Childhood Alliance (HNDECA)

Web: www.healthynd.org/HND_Early_Childhood_Alliance.html

Mandate: HNDECA was created to carry out the requirements of the ECCS grant, which is received by the North Dakota Department of Health.

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sectors. Staff from Child and Adolescent Health Services in the Department of Health, and from Early Childhood Services in the Department of Human Services, coordinate HNDECA.

Function/Goal: The goal of the grant is to develop and implement collaborations and partnerships that support the healthy development and school readiness of children birth through age 8. HNDECA has developed an early childhood systems plan that addresses the five components of the ECCS grant: children’s access to health insurance and medical homes, mental health and social-emotional development, early care and education, parent education, and family support.

South Dakota

South Dakota Alliance for Children

Web: Not available

Mandate: The alliance was established in 2002.

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sectors.

Function/Goal: The alliance is a statewide coalition that advocates for policies, programs, and funding that will achieve an affordable, seamless, unified, high-quality early and school-age care system in South Dakota for children birth through eighth grade.

Utah

Governor’s Child and Family Cabinet Council

Web: http://earlychildhoodconnections.weber.edu/NewsEvents.aspx?page=ucWhatsHappening&id=25

Mandate: The Governor’s Child and Family Cabinet Council was created by the Governor’s Executive Order 2007-0005 on June 5, 2007. Additional information is available at www.rules.utah.gov/execdocs/2007/ExecDoc127887.htm.

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sectors, appointed by the governor. A list of required members is available in the executive order.

Function/Goal:

• Inventory current efforts and common outcomes among programs dealing with child maltreatment and family dysfunction, rape and sexual assault, domestic violence, substance abuse prevention, and early childhood education and intervention;
• Inventory funding stream requirements;
• Inventory and analyze similar prevention integration efforts in other States;
• Develop integrated policies and procedures reflecting best practices across funding streams;
• Identify funding streams that address cross-cutting prevention;
• Identify new funding sources for one evidence-based, cross-cutting prevention model in the State;
• Issue recommendations regarding resource allocation to maintain positive outcomes for children;
• Receive reports from the Department of Human Services’ Office of Service Review on child and family status, and review data on child well-being in Utah, including annual written reports on the results of the Division of Child and Family Services’ qualitative and quantitative review of care, permanency, and other child outcomes;
• Receive annual written reports on fatalities regarding trends and analyses of decreasing fatalities relating to children and/or abusive/violent acts;
• Track child and family well-being and outcomes, review progress or decline of outcomes, and develop possible solutions.

Early Childhood Council (ECC)

Web: http://earlychildhoodconnections.weber.edu/files/Blueprint.pdf

Mandate: The council is part of the Governor’s Child and Family Cabinet Council.

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sectors.

Function/Goal: ECC serves as the advisory board for the Federal ECCS grant. The council is hosted by the Department of Health and meets quarterly. The purpose of ECC is to promote development of early childhood systems and facilitate collaboration among all interested parties in Utah.

Wyoming

Wyoming Early Childhood Development Council

Web: http://dfswapps.state.wy.us/DFSDivEC/Home/IndexBCI-ECDC.asp

Mandate: The council was enacted by executive order in 1997. The order was then updated in 2000.

Membership: There are representatives from the public and private sectors, appointed by the governor. A membership list is available at http://dfswapps.state.wy.us/DFSDivEC/Home/Documents/Council2007Roster.pdf.

Function/Goal:

• Facilitate completion of a comprehensive, statewide early childhood development strategic plan;
• Promote parent and family education and join in coordinated health, child care, and education services that help families provide appropriate developmental opportunities for their children;
• Ensure that every child birth to 5 years has the opportunity for high-quality, universal early and school-age care through providers, public or private schools, and agencies with funding through public and/or private sources;
• Ensure that educational experiences are seamless as young children (ages birth to 8 years) transition through early childhood programs, particularly preliteracy preparation;
• Strengthen early childhood program standards and accountability and improve assessment of child development and readiness;
• Promote new knowledge and improvement of early and school-age care; and
• Promote family stability to help children grow and develop productively.

REGION IX

Arizona

Early Childhood Development and Health Board (ECDH)

Web: http://gocyf.az.gov/SR/BRD_AECDHB.asp

Mandate: This council was established in 2006 with the passing of Proposition 203 “First Things First.” Through Proposition 203, it was decided that ECDH will continue the work of the State School Readiness Board.

Membership: ECDH is made up ofnine members appointed by Governor Napolitano and ex-officio members from the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the directors of the departments of Health Services and Economic Security. A list of members is available at http://gocyf.az.gov/SR/BRD_AECDHBRoster.asp.

Function/Goal: The primary function of the ECDH is to coordinate services among early childhood programs to ensure the system of service delivery is efficient and cost effective and that all children are able to start school healthy and ready to succeed.

Governor’s Children’s Cabinet

Web: http://gocyf.az.gov/EO/BRD_GCC.asp

Mandate: The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet was created by a governor’s executive order in 2003.

Membership: Members include the governor and the directors of the following departments:

• Economic Security;
• Health Services;
• Health Care Cost Containment System;
• Juvenile Corrections; and
• Adult Corrections.

Members also include the following:

• Superintendent of public instruction;
• Chair of Supreme Court’s Committee on Juvenile Courts;
• Executive director of the Governor’s Community Policy Office;
• Director of Governor’s Division for Children;
• Governor’s Human Services Policy Advisors; and
• Additional members at the governor’s discretion.

A list of members is available at http://gocyf.az.gov/EO/documents/ChildrensCabinetRoster.pdf.

Function/goal: The goals of the council include the following:

• Collaborate and coordinate policy development and service delivery to support the needs and problems Arizona’s children and families face.
• Advice and make recommendations to the governor about programs and policies that promote the best interest of children.
• Coordinate and develop service delivery strategies for child victims of abuse and neglect that include:
  • Education Services;
  • Behavioral Health Services;
  • Health Care Services;
  • Substance Abuse Services; and
  • Child Welfare.
• Develop a plan to maximize State’s funding for programs that support children.
• Serve as final arbiter on unresolved concerns or issues between agencies.

California

First 5 California Children and Families Commission (also known as the California Children and Families First Commission)

Web: www.ccfc.ca.gov/

Mandate: Established by the 1998 ballot initiative Proposition 10, authorizing the California Children and Families First Act. It was amended by legislation in 1999.

Membership: Seven voting members are experts in early childhood development, care and education, social and public health services, prevention and treatment of tobacco and substance abuse services, behavioral health, and medicine. Three members, including the commission chair and county health official, are appointed by the governor. The assembly speaker and Senate Rules Committee each appoint two members. The secretary of the California Health and Human Services agency and the secretary for Education serve as ex officio members. A membership list is available at www.ccfc.ca.gov/commission/default.asp.

Function/goal: The goals of the council include the following:

• Distributing information and educational materials to the public and professionals;
• Developing guidelines for programs on how to enhance early childhood development, parent education, and child care and child health care services;
• Establishing desired results and collecting/analyzing progress;
• Providing information about and demonstrating best practices;
• Soliciting and facilitating input and communication among experts;
• Providing technical assistance;
• Reviewing and holding public hearings about county commissions’ annual reports and audits;
• Recommending to the governor and legislature about changes in services, laws, and regulations; and
• Administering funding from the tobacco tax and seeking additional public and private funding.

Hawaii

Hawaii Interdepartmental Council on Children and Families

Web: Not available

Mandate: This council was created by legislation in 1997 and amended in 2000. More information about the legislation is available at www.goodbeginnings.org/index.php/site/act77/.

Membership: Members include the following:

• Directors of the State Department of Education;
• Director of Health Services;
• Director of Human Services;
• Director of Labor and Economic Development; and
• Representatives from business and philanthropic leadership.

Function/Goal: The primary functions include the following:

• Collaborating on financing strategies to improve early childhood outcomes and address system-level priorities to meet local community needs;
• Partnering with Good Beginnings Alliance to support a State master plan for creating and coordinating early childhood care and education services; and
• Integrating service efforts and engage in joint policymaking.

The Good Beginnings Alliance (GBA)

Web: www.goodbeginnings.org/

Mandate: GBA is mandated by the 1997 State Legislature Bill 1631, which was signed into law as Act 77. Act 77 was amended in 2000.

Membership: There are 14 members that represent each one of the counties, local businesses, philanthropy organizations, early childhood professionals, consumers of early childhood services, Head Start programs, CCR&R agencies, the American Academy of Pediatrics, early intervention programs, the University of Hawaii, and the Interdepartmental Council.

Function/Goal: The primary function of GBA is to coordinate the early childhood system in the State by developing strategic plans for communities about how to align children and family services.

Nevada

Head Start State Collaboration Office (HSSCO)

Web: www.nvhsa.org/sco.shtml

Mandate: In 2007, HSSCO received a grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to develop an early childhood systems team.

Membership: HSSCO membership is made up of seven State agency representatives.

Function/Goal: The primary function of the HSSCO is to facilitate collaboration among agencies to development a statewide early childhood system.

REGION X

Alaska

Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS)

(It is in the process of being renamed the Interdepartmental Early Childhood Coordinating Council.)

Web: http://hss.state.ak.us/ocs/ECCS/

Mandate: ECCS was established with funding from a Federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant.

Membership: Membership of the ECCS includes the following:

• Head Start;
• Child care;
• Public health;
• Behavioral health;
• Child protective services;
• Early intervention, and
• Certified preschools.

It is in the process of being expanded to include representatives from the following:

• Department of Corrections;
• Department of Education and Early Development;
• Department of Labor; and
• The University Systems.

Function/Goal: The primary function of ECCS is to coordinate the early childhood efforts in the State, such as the Best Beginnings, the System for Early Education Development, and the Strengthening Families Initiative. ECCS developed a plan that provides recommendations about how to structure a comprehensive, integrated service system for young children.

Idaho

Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) Advisory Panel

Web: www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/DesktopModules/ArticlesSortable/
ArticlesSrtView.aspx?tabID=0&ItemID=270&mid=10275&wversion=Staging

Mandate: Information not available

Membership: Panel membership will include not less than 15, nor more than 25, members from the following sectors of the community:

• Child care providers;
• Tribal community;
• Hispanic community;
• Department of Education;
• District Health Departments;
• Early childhood educators;
• Early childhood advocates;
• Nonprofit organizations;
• Parents of children with disabilities;
• Institutes of higher education;
• Private businesses;
• Local licensing representatives;
• Representatives from both urban and rural sectors of Idaho;
• Parents;
• The Governor’s Office; and
• Head Start.

Function/Goal:

• Review information provided by the department prior to meetings and be prepared to discuss and make recommendations for improvements and changes;
• Assist the department to assess present and future needs, develop and refine vision, and plan for ways to meet the future needs;
• Disseminate information on changes made to the Idaho Child Care Program;
• Elicit input from colleagues and stakeholders to provide the department with a broad perspective on effects of and reactions to changes to the Idaho Child Care Program;
• Provide the department with its best technical advice (should the Department choose to not act on that advice, the panel has fulfilled its obligation); and
• Provide for self-governance by selecting a chair and vice-chair from among its appointed members.
• Provide staff resources to the panel to include facilitation services, logistics support, and communications, assuming available funding;
• Consider input and recommendations of the advisory panel to promote the continuous improvement of the Idaho Childcare Program; and
• Report on all advisory panel recommendations, consider them when making decisions, and provide an explanation to the advisory panel as appropriate.

Early Childhood Coordinating Council

Web: www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/portal/alias__Rainbow/lang__en-US/tabID__3444/DesktopDefault.aspx

Mandate: The Early Childhood Coordinating Council was created through the Executive order 2006-12. More information is available at http://gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/execorders/eo06/eo_2006-12.htm.

Membership: Members are appointed by the governor and include representatives from Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C and the ECCS Initiative, parents, legislators, United Way, Department of Labor, Department of Education, and Head Start. A list of members is available at www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/DesktopModules/Documents/
DocumentsView.aspx?tabID=0&ItemID=10963&MId=12663&wversion=Staging.

Function/Goal: The Early Childhood Coordinating Council advises the Department of Health and Welfare about matters pertaining to the ECCS Initiative and IDEA Part C Infant Toddler Programs. The Council also builds and support partnerships to maximize funding streams and reduce gaps in the service delivery.

Oregon

Childhood Care and Education Coordinating Council (CCECC)

Web: www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/CCECC/index.shtml

Mandate: Information not available

Membership: CCECC is chaired by the administrator of the Child Care Division, and membership is comprised of representatives from State and national agencies, public and private organizations, and key community groups.

Function/Goal: The primary function of the CCECC is to assist the State in developing the CCDF Plans. CCECC also partners with other State agencies, organizations, and stakeholders to implement initiatives that create systems of care that address the needs of working families but also promote the healthy development of children.

Oregon Commission for Child Care (OCCC)

Web: www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/CCC/index.shtml

Mandate: Information not available

Membership: OCCC membership is made up of 18 members who are appointed by the governor and legislatures. A list of members is available at www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/CCC/contactList.shtml.

Function/Goal: The primary functions of OCCC include advising the governor and legislatures about issues related to child care, including issues around families’ access to affordable, high-quality care.

Oregon Commission on Children and Families (OCCF)

Web:www.oregon.gov/OCCF/about_us.shtml

Mandate: OCCF was created by legislation in 1993. It is mandated by the Oregon Revised Statutes 417.705 - 417.825. More information about the legislation is available at www.leg.state.or.us/ors/417.html.

Membership: Membership is made up of 12 members who are appointed by the governor and represent State agencies, businesses, public schools, communities, and government agencies.

Function/goal: The primary function of OCCF is to assist the State in coordinating early care and education services to support the needs of children and families.

Partners for Children and Families (PCF)

Web: www.oregonpcf.org/

Mandate: PCF is mandated by the Senate Bill 555, passed by legislation in 1999. More information about the Senate Bill 555 is available at www.leg.state.or.us/99reg/measures/sb0500.dir/sb0555.en.html.

Membership: Information not available

Function/goal: The primary function of PCF is to lead the coordination of the early childhood systems within the State.

Washington

Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC)

Web: www.del.wa.gov/partnerships/elac/

Mandate: ELAC is mandated by the 2007 Senate Bill 5828. More information is available at www.del.wa.gov/partnerships/elac/why.aspx.

Membership: ELAC membership is comprised of 25 members who represent the following:

• Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction;
• Department of Early Learning (DEL);
• Thrive by Five;
• Tribes;
• Washington Federation of Independent Schools;
• Washington State Office of Financial Management;
• Washington State Department of Social and Health Services;
• Washington State Department of Health;
• Washington State Higher Education Coordination Board;
• Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges;
• P-20 Council;
• Leaders and experts in early childhood education and children with special needs;
• Public education system;
• Parents and child care providers; and
• State legislators.

A list of members is available at www.del.wa.gov/partnerships/elac/members.aspx.

Function/Goal: The primary function of the ELAC is to provide recommendations to DEL and help create partnerships among programs to help develop a comprehensive early learning system for children birth to 5 years and promote alignment of private and public sector actions, objectives, and resources, and to ensure school readiness.

Washington Family Policy Council

Web: www.fpc.wa.gov/

Mandate: The council was created in by a 1992 legislation, which was amended in 1994. More information is available at www.fpc.wa.gov/FPCLaws.html.

Membership: Membership includes representatives from five State agencies that provide services to children and families, one legislator from each chamber, and a representative from the Governor’s Office. A list of members is available at www.fpc.wa.gov/People%20Resources/council.html.

Function/Goal: The primary functions of the Family Policy Council include the following:

• Facilitating coordination of services throughout the State;
• Developing training and technical assistance services to assist programs in developing networks, partnerships, and service plans; and
• Identifying necessary program changes to improve the coordination, collaboration, and integration of services and programs.

Selected Resources

The following selected resources include information about State early and school-age service coordinating entities.

National Initiatives

• NGA Building Early Childhood Systems
  www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.1f41d49be2d3d33eacdcbeeb501010a0/
  ?vgnextoid=e55f952433ae0110VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD

  In 2006, the NGA Center for Best Practices selected Montana, New Jersey, and South Carolina to receive intensive technical assistance and up to $50,000 to support in-state meetings and consultants over a 2-year period to assist in building comprehensive, coordinated early childhood (birth to age 5 years) systems. During 2008, NGA will support a 2-day policy meeting with State early learning council directors and sponsor four conference calls related to State early learning councils.

• Project THRIVE
  www.nccp.org/projects/thrive.html

  Project THRIVE is a public policy analysis and education initiative at the National Center for Children in Poverty to promote healthy child development and provide policy support to the State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems initiatives funded by MCHB.

• State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Initiative
  www.state-eccs.org

  MCHB launched the initiative to implement its Strategic Plan for Early Childhood Health. The purpose of the initiative is to support States and communities in their efforts to build and integrate early childhood service systems that address the critical components of access to comprehensive health services and medical homes; social-emotional development and mental health of young children; early and school-age care; parenting education; and family support. The first grants were issued in 2003. Since that time, 49 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Republic of Palau, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have participated in the initiative.

Publications

• 2008 Directory of State Children's Cabinets and Councils, Forum for Youth Investment,
  www.forumforyouthinvestment.org/node/310
  
  
• Beyond Parallel Play: Emerging States and Community Planning Roles in Building Early Learning Systems (2006),
  www.finebynine.org/uploaded/Beyond%20Parallel%20Play%20Oct2006.pdf
  
  
• State Human Services Organization: Strategies for Improving Results (April 2006),
  www.ncsl.org/programs/cyf/hspubintro.htm#hscollaborate.
  
  
• “State Advisory Councils on Early Childhood Education and Care” (2007), in Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007,
  www.govtrack.us/data/us/bills.text/110/h/h1429.pdf
  
  
• Survey on Early Childhood Advisory Councils (2007), an NGA Center for Best Practices Backgrounder, by Anna Lovejoy, published by the NGA Center for Best Practices,
  www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0712EARLYCHILDCOUNCILSSURVEY.PDF
  
  
• Building an Early Learning System: The ABCs of Planning and Governance Structures (2004), by Charles Bruner, Michelle Stover Wright, Barbara Gebhard, and Susan Hibbard, published by the State Early Childhood Policy Technical Assistance Network,
  www.finebynine.org/uploaded/file/SECPTAN_Build_PROOF.pdf
  
  
• A Governor's Guide to Children's Cabinets (2004), by Anne Segal, Lisa Grossman, and Anna Lovejoy, published by the NGA Center for Best Practices,
  www.nga.org/cda/files/0409GOVGUIDECHILD.pdf

Topics

• ACF Priorities
• CCDF Administration
• Licensing Regulations
• Partnerships & Collaboration
• Quality
• Special Needs & Disabilities
• All Topics...

Types of Resources

• Federal Information
• Research/Statistics
• State & Territory Information
• TA Tools and Resources
• Library