Leadership

The Early Childhood Advisory Council and its support office - the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood – unifies early childhood programs, services and agencies in the commonwealth.

It coordinates the early childhood work of more than 30 agencies including the three oversight agencies of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Education and Labor Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Education.

Since its inception, the Early Childhood Advisory Council has been a catalyst and change agent. It serves as the coordinating and convening body, with participation from state and local stakeholders.

A More Consolidated Approach Starts with Visionary Leadership

The Beshear administration has demonstrated its commitment to education and utilizes the experience and expertise of Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, a former Kentucky K-12 educator.

Kentucky Governor
Andy Beshear

Kentucky Lt. Governor
Jacqueline Coleman

Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood

The Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood serves as an umbrella organization to create better alignment, efficiencies and concise messaging among once fragmented funding streams and programs. It provides leadership and direction for the commonwealth with the goal of maintaining a comprehensive and sustainable prenatal to age five early childhood system that ensures a strong foundation for all children.

The Head Start Collaborative Office is housed within the Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood to facilitate partnerships between Head Start agencies and other state services to benefit children from families with low incomes.

Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Staff

Amy Neal

Executive Director

Lynn Baker

Project Specialist/Acting Director Kentucky Head Start Collaborative Office

Megan Greenwell

Project Specialist

Rebecca Smith

Early Childhood Apprenticeship Consultant

Robin Johnson

Administrative Assistant

The Early Childhood Advisory Council

The Early Childhood Advisory Council meets quarterly on the third Thursday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. During each meeting, the Advisory Council advises on the early care and education system, provides progress updates on the 5-year strategic plan and facilitates collective commitment to increase access and opportunity for children across the state.

Meetings are open to the public and we welcome attendance from those who are passionate about providing a strong foundation for all children in the Commonwealth.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact eccouncil@ky.gov

Governor's Office of Early Childhood 2023 Biennial Report on the State Plan of the Early Childhood Advisory Council

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The Advisory Council Members

Early Childhood Advisory Council includes diverse backgrounds and organizations that lend their expertise and experience to provide leadership, direction, and support to serving the children, families, and communities of the Commonwealth.

Andrea Day

Division Director, Department for Community Based Services, Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Deputy Secretary Beth Brinly

Education and Labor Cabinet

Lynn Baker

Acting Director Kentucky Head Start Collaboration Office

Secretary Eric Friedlander

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Representative Kim Banta

District 63

Senator Danny Carroll

Kentucky State Senate, District 2

Dr. Amy Hood

Infant/Toddler & Early Childhood Specialist for Training and Technical Assistance Services, Western Kentucky University

Traci Stemmle

Vice President, PNC Bank

Travis Burton

Director of State Government Affairs, Kentucky Hospital Association

Dr. Annette W. Bridges

EdD Ready Child Ready School Consulting, LLC

Scotty Collier

Principal, Jefferson County Schools

Anita Dowd

Executive Staff Advisor, Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet

Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith

Chair
President, National Center Families Learning

Brittney Howell

Director of Student Services, Frankfort Independent Schools

Deedee Cummings

CEO of Abi Behavioral Health, Make A Way Media & The Louisville Book Festival Therapist, Attorney & Children's Author

Joe Berry

Rina Gratz

Director of Early Childhood Education, Jefferson County Public Schools

Dr. Jaesook Gilbert

Professor, Early Childhood Education

Kim Fithian

Head Start/Early Head Start Director, Ohio Valley Education Cooperative

Dr. Jason Glass

Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Education

Paula Goff

Branch Manager, Department of Public Health, Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Amy Smith

Principal and Preschool Coordinator, Pulaski County Schools

Greta McKenzie

Early Intervention Specialist, First Steps

Twila Burdette

Rockcastle Early Childhood Education Council Child Development Center Director

Beth Morton

Director, Child Development Baptist Health Lexington CDC

Dr. Connie White

Deputy Commissioner of Clinical Affairs, Department of Public Health, Cabinet for Health and Family Services

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A More Consolidated Approach Starts with Visionary Leadership

Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood

Kentucky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Goals