Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council
About the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council
January 24, 2022
The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) welcomed 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.
“This Council will engage with a wide range of stakeholders to build upon our ongoing work to create the most accessible, supportive, and successful early childhood system in the country,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “We are thrilled to launch this new advisory council and look forward to many years of productive partnership with its members.”
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.
“I am excited to learn from this knowledgeable, diverse, and committed group of individuals,” said Elizabeth Groginsky, Secretary of ECECD. “I look forward to partnering with them to improve outcomes for families and young children.”
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 comment from the public pertaining to topics related to any agenda items. Members of the public must register prior to the start of the meeting if they wish to address the Council. Individuals are limited to three minutes each.
An individual may provide written or verbal comments to the Council, in which case notification must be provided by the individual to shay.everitt@ececd.nm.gov. The request must contain your name, the organization you are representing or if you are speaking as a private citizen, your direct phone number, and whether you are joining virtually or in-person.
The Council’s ex officio members:
- Patrick Allen, Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Designate
- Alanna Dancis, Medical Director, Human Services Department, Medicaid Division
- Elizabeth Groginsky, Cabinet Secretary of ECECD
- Mariana Padilla, Director of Governor Lujan Grisham’s Children’s Cabinet
- Stephanie Rodriguez, Cabinet Secretary of Higher Education Department
- Shana Runck, Acting Director, Head Start State Collaboration Office
- Dr. Kurt Steinhaus, Cabinet Secretary of Public Education Department
- Barbara Vigil, Cabinet Secretary of Children, Youth, & Families Department
Additional Council Members:
- Zach Ben, Parent Representative
- Rob Black, President, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce
- Lula Mae Brown, Director of Early Childhood Services for ENMRSH, Inc
- Robert Chavez, CEO of Youth Development Incorporated
- Daisey Lira, City Council Woman, District 2 of Sunland Park
- Brian Luck, Superintendent, Roswell Independent School District
- Dr. Cynthia Martinez, Assistant Dean of Early Childhood for Western New Mexico University
- Lakersha Martinez, Bridges to Opportunity Director, Growing Up New Mexico
- Dr. Corrine Sanchez, Executive Director for Tewa Women United
- Crystal Tapia-Romero, Owner/Operator of New Mexico Early Learning Academy
- Amber Wallin, Executive Director for New Mexico Voices for Children
- Teresa Quintana, Vice President of HELP New Mexico, Incorporated
2023 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.
April 19, from 9 a.m to 12 p.m.
In-Person Location: Albuquerque (address TBA)
Zoom Details:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/81929663098
Webinar ID: 819 2966 3098
Or One tap mobile :
US: +13462487799,,81929663098# or +16694449171,,81929663098#
June 7, from 1 to 4 p.m.
In-Person Location: 640 S. Boardman, Gallup, NM 87301 (Student Support Center Boardroom)
Zoom Details:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/86220942423
Webinar ID: 862 2094 2423
Or One tap mobile :
US: +16694449171,,86220942423# or +16699009128,,86220942423#
August 9, from 1 to 4 p.m.
In-Person Location: Albuquerque (address TBA)
Zoom Details:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/81499762115
Webinar ID: 814 9976 2115
Or One tap mobile :
US: +12532158782,,81499762115# or +13462487799,,81499762115#
Oct. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.
In-Person Location: Sunland Park (address TBA)
Zoom Details:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/81641911143
Webinar ID: 816 4191 1143
Or One tap mobile :
US: +16694449171,,81641911143# or +16699009128,,81641911143#
December 6, from 1 to 4 p.m.
In-Person Location: Albuquerque (address TBA)
Zoom Details:
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/85657955645
Webinar ID: 856 5795 5645
Or One tap mobile :
US: +16694449171,,81641911143# or +16699009128,,81641911143#
Advisory Council Contact Information
Shay Everitt, MSW
Director of Strategy and Systems Integration and Alignment
Email: shay.everitt@ececd.nm.gov
Cell: 505-479-2855
Executive Order 2022-163
The executive order establishing the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council.