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, Interim 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
- Teresa Casados, 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
Additional Council Members:
- Vacant, 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 2025:
- Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- 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: Supplemental committee meetings on FOCUS Redesign will be held every other Friday from 1-2 p.m. beginning December 6, 2024 and continuing through March 2025.
- Friday, January 3, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, January 17, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, January 31, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, February 14, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, February 28, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, March 14, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, March 28, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
Meeting Dates 2025:
-
- Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 26, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, August 28, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 3 – 4:30 p.m.
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 2025:
- Monday, February 10, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, March 10, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, April 14, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, May 12, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, June 9, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, July 14, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, August 11, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, September 8, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, October 20, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, November 10, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, December 8, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- 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 2025:
- Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 6, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 3, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 3, 2025 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- 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.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 2-5 p.m. in Santa Fe, NM
In-Person Location:
1120 Paseo de Peralta Santa Fe, NM 87501 – Apodaca Hall
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC January 22 – Santa Fe
Time: Jan 22, 2025 02:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/87061023097
Meeting ID: 870 6102 3097
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Meeting ID: 870 6102 3097
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/kdZmLAGrOy
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 1-4 p.m. in Albuquerque, NM
In-Person Location:
CNM Workforce Training Center
5600 Eagle Rock Avenue, NE – Room 207
Albuquerque, NM 87113
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC March 26 – Albuquerque
Time: Mar 26, 2025 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/82812182303
Meeting ID: 828 1218 2303
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Meeting ID: 828 1218 2303
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/kBYwqKO5o
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 1-4 p.m. in Hobbs, NM
In-Person Location:
Hobbs Municipal Schools (HMS) Training Center
2110 East Sanger Street
Hobbs, NM 88240
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC May 28 – Hobbs
Time: May 28, 2025 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/87875939034
Meeting ID: 878 7593 9034
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Meeting ID: 878 7593 9034
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/kcanZQmLEf
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 1-4 p.m. in Roswell, NM
In-Person Location:
TBD
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC July 23 – Roswell
Time: Jul 23, 2025 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/81166702751
Meeting ID: 811 6670 2751
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Meeting ID: 811 6670 2751
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/keesMtli9G
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 1-4 p.m. in Silver City, NM
In-Person Location:
TBD
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC September 24 – Silver City
Time: Sep 24, 2025 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/84380806238
Meeting ID: 843 8080 6238
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Meeting ID: 843 8080 6238
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/kdFVItJAbT
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 1-4 p.m. in Albuquerque, NM
In-Person Location:
TBD
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC December 10 – Albuquerque
Time: Dec 11, 2025 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/89919887416
Meeting ID: 899 1988 7416
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• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 899 1988 7416
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/kcekjwaXPf
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