Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council
About the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council
In 2022, the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) established the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council, which will further the governor’s priority to create a more cohesive, equitable, and family-centered early childhood education and care system in New Mexico.
The Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council and its Subcommittees hold regular meetings. Details about these meetings, access to materials, and information on how to submit public comments are hosted on this page.
This Council replaces the Early Learning Advisory Council. New Mexico is required by federal law to have a state advisory early childhood council – this Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council fulfills this requirement and aligns with the Department’s Five-Year Strategic Plan.
Public Comment Information
Individuals are invited to provide oral or written public comment at regular and special meetings of the Council. The Council will hear comments from the public pertaining to topics related to agenda items. Individuals are limited to three minutes each.
To sign up for public comment, an individual may:
- Email jennifer.knapp@ececd.nm.gov, or
- Type in the chat of the Zoom meeting that you would like to sign up for public comment (if you are attending virtually);
- or sign up in person at the meeting on the registration sheet.
Council Members:
The Council’s ex officio members:
- Gina DeBlassie, Cabinet Secretary of Department of Health
- Kari Armijo, Cabinet Secretary of New Mexico Health Care Authority
- Elizabeth Groginsky, Cabinet Secretary of ECECD
- Mariana Padilla, Cabinet Secretary of Public Education Department
- Stephanie Rodriguez, Cabinet Secretary of Higher Education Department
- Casey Lafferty, ECECD Deputy Division Director of Policy, Research, and Quality Initiatives, and New Mexico Head Start State Collaboration Director
- Valerie Sandoval, Cabinet Secretary of Children, Youth, & Families Department
Additional Council Members:
- Crystal Tapia-Romero, Owner/Operator of New Mexico Early Learning Academy
- Jacob Vigil, Deputy Policy Director, New Mexico Voices for Children
- Teresa Quintana, Director of NM Workforce Development Program, Southwest Key Programs
- Mayra Lovas, Vice President of Grants JF Maddox Foundation
- Allen Sanchez, President of CHI St. Joseph’s Children
- Diane Denish, former New Mexico Lt. Governor
- Bridget Dixson, CEO/
President of Santa Fe
Chamber of Commerce
Additional Council Members:
- Natalie Guillen, Parent Representative
- Lula Mae Brown, Director of Early Childhood Services for ENMRSH, Inc
- Robert Chavez, CEO of Youth Development Incorporated
- Daisy Lira, City Council Woman, District 2 of Sunland Park
- Brian Luck, Superintendent, Roswell Independent School District
- Dr. Cindy Martinez, Dean of Early Childhood for Western New Mexico University
- Lakersha Martinez, Bridges to Opportunity Director, Growing Up New Mexico
Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council Subcommittees
Click the meeting tabs below to learn about the subcommittee’s description, members, and meeting details.
- Public-Private Partnership Subcommittee
- Program Quality and Accountability Subcommittee
- Early Childhood Professionals Subcommittee
- Data, Infrastructure, and Analysis Subcommittee
Public-Private Partnership Purpose Statement: To advocate and promote access to equitable delivery of early childhood programs and services through strategic investments and partnerships in infrastructure (e.g. facilities, professional development, technical assistance etc.) that aligns with the needs of communities and enhances the capacity of private, non- and for-profit entities, public agencies, and Tribal nations to deliver high-quality services.
- Chair: Elizabeth Groginsky
- Vice Chair: Allen Sanchez
- ECECD Staff Support: Mark Dominguez, Mark Hume, Sarah Schott
- Council Members: Mayra Lovas, Teresa Quintana, Dr. Corrine Sanchez and Lula Mae Brown
- Non-Council Members: Katie Wylie, Natasha Gacinski, Elizabeth Wieser, Kristi McBride, Barbara Tedrow, and Jenn Donelli
- Meeting Dates 2026:
- TBA
- Zoom meeting link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/86089514634
Program Quality and Accountability Purpose Statement: The purpose of this committee is to explore and advise on processes of quality and accountability across ECECD’s programs to ensure clear, consistent, and reasonable expectations with measurable standards and targeted supports for early childhood professionals.
- Chair: Cindy Martinez
- Vice Chair: Daisy Lira
- ECECD Staff Support: Sandy Trujillo-Medina, Rosario Roybal, Helen Quintana, Mark Hume, Sarah Schott
- Council Members: Lakersha Martinez and Casey Lafferty
- Non-Council Members: Evakristel De Luna, Rosa Hammond, Sondra Carpenter, Anel Zamora, Alice Peos, Ruth Porta, Holly Gurule, and Valerie Stefani
- Supplemental committee meetings: TBA
Meeting Dates 2026:
-
- TBA
Zoom Meeting Link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/89586052212
Early Childhood Professionals Purpose Statement: The purpose of this committee is to actively support and promote mechanisms for recruitment, fostering inclusivity and diversity in the field of early childhood education. By engaging with the community and listening to their needs, we aim to remove barriers and create a welcoming environment for aspiring educators. Our committee will collaborate with ECECD, sharing valuable feedback and well-informed recommendations, ultimately influencing policy, and implementing effective programs that support and elevate early childhood education.
- Chair: Crystal Tapia-Romero
- Vice Chair: Robert Chavez
- ECECD Staff Support: Lela Wendell, Shana Runck, Mark Hume, Sarah Schott
- Council Members: Brian Luck
- Non-Council Members: April Spaulding, Kristeena Dehne, Robin Goodnight, Carmen Estrella Trigo Martinez, Merline Gallegos, Angela Garcia, Margo Dichtelmiller, Anne Duran, Yolanda Philgreen, and Donna Fletcher
- Meeting Dates 2026:
- TBA
- Zoom Meeting Link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/84904796293
Data, Infrastructure, and Analysis Purpose Statement: Connect, promote, share, and champion actionable data, data systems, and information in the spirit of inclusion and collaboration to understand and communicate state early childhood needs and help drive state-level policy, funding and infrastructure that supports incredible opportunities in improving outcomes for New Mexico children, families, and early childhood professionals.
- Chair: Elizabeth Groginsky
- Vice Chair: Jacob Vigil
- ECECD Staff Support: Sandeep Patel, Trixi Bubemyre, Ty Knight, Mark Hume, Sarah Schott
- Council Members: Alanna Dancis and Mariana Padilla
- Non-Council Members: Erica Surova, Jennifer Marquez, Norma Ochoa, Tara Terry Voit, Jackie Shipley, Melissa Scott, Lisa Shaanan, and Helen Ortega
- Meeting Dates 2026:
- TBA
- Zoom meeting link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/82636713094
2025 Upcoming Meetings
- Click the dates below for meeting details (in-person location and Zoom link).
- All meetings will be hybrid (meeting dates are subject to change). Spanish interpretation is offered via Zoom.
Seeking past meeting materials?
See the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council materials library below for all meeting records.
Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 1-4 p.m. in Santa Fe, NM
In-Person Location:
TBD
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC Meeting – January 15 – Santa Fe
Time: Jan 15, 2026 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/81459980916
Meeting ID: 814 5998 0916
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Join instructions
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/meetings/81459980916/invitations?signature=5Z0ZqEVVIgb8xhV6mJx1tABVHka1M_TD6noxchsIdZ4
Executive Order 2023-59
The amended executive order establishing the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council.
Advisory Council Contact Information
Jennifer Knapp
Early Learning Advisory Council Coordinator
Email: jennifer.knapp@ececd.nm.gov