Ky.gov
About Us

Leadership

The Early Childhood Advisory Council and its s​upport 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.​​

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.​​

Kentu​​cky Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Goals

  • Ensure children enter kindergarten prepared;
  • Promote collaboration between the state and local communities; and
  • Emphasize quality and continuous ​improvement.​
    ​

​​​

Governor’s Office of Ear​ly Childhood ​Staff

Portrait of Lynn Baker.

Lynn Baker

Executive Director

Portrait of Megan Greenwell.

Megan Greenwell

Project Specialist

Portrait of Kelsey Turley.

Kelsey Turley

Head Start Collaboration Director

Portrait of Rebecca Smith.

Rebecca Smith

Early Childhood Apprenticeship Coordinator

Portrait of Robin Johnson.

Robin Johnson

Operations Assistant

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 Governor Andy Beshear and GOEC staff

Kentucky Lt​. Governor
​Jacqueline Coleman

Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman and GOEC staff

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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​

Download PDF​


Next Meeting

March 20, 2025 - 1:00 pm EST​​
This meeting will be held online via Zoom. 
March 2025 ECAC Agenda​

Join us by click the link below​: 
March ECAC Meeting Link

​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.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​
Portrait of Andrea Day.

Andrea Day

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

Portrait of Deputy Secretary Beth Brinly.

Deputy Secretary Beth Brinly

Education and Labor Cabinet

Portrait of Lynn Baker.

Lynn Baker

Acting Director Kentucky Head Start Collaboration Office

Portrait of Secretary Eric Friedlander.

Secretary Eric Friedlander

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Portrait of Representative Kim Banta.

Representative Kim Banta

District 63

Portrait of Senator Danny Carroll.

Senator Danny Carroll

Kentucky State Senate, District 2

Portrait of Dr. Amy Hood.

Dr. Amy Hood

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

Portrait of Traci Stemmle.

Traci Stemmle

Vice President, PNC Bank

Portrait of Travis Burton.

Travis Burton

Director of State Government Affairs, Kentucky Hospital Association

Portrait of Dr. Annette W. Bridges.

Dr. Annette W. Bridges

EdD Ready Child Ready School Consulting, LLC

Portrait of Scotty Collier.

Scotty Collier

Principal, Jefferson County Schools

Portrait of Anita Dowd.

Anita Dowd

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

Portrait of Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith.

Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith

Chair
President, National Center Families Learning

Portrait of Brittney Howell.

Brittney Howell

Director of Student Services, Frankfort Independent Schools

Portrait of Deedee Cummings.

Deedee Cummings

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

Joe Berry

Portrait of Rina Gratz.

Rina Gratz

Director of Early Childhood Education, Jefferson County Public Schools

Portrait of Dr. Jaesook Gilbert.

Dr. Jaesook Gilbert

Professor, Early Childhood Education

Portrait of Kim Fithian.

Kim Fithian

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

Portrait of Robin Fields Kinney.

Robin Fields Kinney

Interim Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Education

Portrait of Paula Goff.

Paula Goff

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

Portrait of Amy Smith.

Amy Smith

Principal and Preschool Coordinator, Pulaski County Schools

Portrait of Greta McKenzie.

Greta McKenzie

Early Intervention Specialist, First Steps

Portrait of Twila Burdette.

Twila Burdette

Rockcastle Early Childhood Education Council Child Development Center Director

Portrait of Beth Morton.

Beth Morton

Director, Child Development Baptist Health Lexington CDC

Portrait of Dr. Connie White.

Dr. Connie White

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

Translate this page