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Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council

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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.”

Council Members:

Join an Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council Subcommittee!

Do you have young children in your household? Do you want an opportunity to share feedback and ideas about ECECD’s programs and services? Do you want to advocate for family needs with local and state decision-makers? Do you want to ensure that the voices of New Mexico are heard about topics critical to our State’s success? 

Apply to join one of our important Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council Subcommittees! As a Subcommittee member, you will provide your input and help shape the direction of ECECD. The Subcommittees will hold six virtual meetings a year for 1.5 hours via Zoom. 

To apply, fill out the interest form by September 30, 2023, at 11:59pm. 

The Council’s ex officio members:
  • Patrick Allen, Department of Health Cabinet Secretary Designate
  • Alanna Dancis, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Assistance Division, Human Services Department
  • 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. Arsenio Romero as the Cabinet Secretary of Public Education Department 
  • Teresa Casados, Acting 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
  • Daisy Lira, City Council Woman, District 2 of Sunland Park
  • Brian Luck, Superintendent, Roswell Independent School District
  • Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Martinez, Assistant Dean of Early Childhood for Western New Mexico University
  • Lakersha Martinez, Bridges to Opportunity Director, Growing Up New Mexico
Additional Council Members:
  • 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
  • Mayra Lovas, Vice President of Grants JF Maddox Foundation
  • Barbara Vigil, Cabinet Secretary of Children, Youth, and Families Department
  • Allen Sanchez, President of CHI St. Joseph’s 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 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 holly.bacon@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.

Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council Subcommittee​s

Click the meeting tabs below to learn about the subcommittee’s description, members, and meeting details. 

Committee Description: Develop recommendations on how to increase participation of children and families in services, especially underserved and special populations, including facility expansion strategies.

  • Chair: Elizabeth Groginsky     
  • Vice Chair: Allen Sanchez           
  • ECECD Staff Support: Shay Everitt
  • Members: Robert Chavez, Mayra Lovas, Teresa Quintana, Rob Black, Dr. Corrine Sanchez and Mariana Padilla

Meetings for the Public-Private Partnership Committee

September Meeting:

November Meeting TBA

Committee Description: Child outcomes, FOCUS redesign, trauma-responsive practice, technical assistance and professional development.

  • Chair: Cindy Martinez   
  • Vice Chair: Daisy Lira
  • ECECD Staff Support: Sara Mickelson
  • Members: Crystal Tapia-Romero, Dr. Corrine Sanchez, Lakersha Martinez, Shana Runck, and Mariana Padilla

Meetings for the Program Quality and Accountability Committee 

September Meeting:

Oct. Meeting:

November Meeting:

Committee Description: Recruitment, retention, career and compensation lattice, credentials, licensure, and teacher preparation 

  • Chair: Crystal Tapia-Romero      
  • Vice Chair: Robert Chavez    
  •  ECECD Staff Support: Casey Lafferty
  • Members: Brian Luck, Cindy Martinez, Shana Runck and Teresa Quintana

Meetings for the Early Childhood Professionals Committee

September Meeting:

November Meeting:

Committee Description: Visualization, outcomes, linkages, and integration. 

  • Chair: Amber Wallin     
  • Vice Chair: Mariana Padilla      
  • ECECD Staff Support: Karen Cann
  • Members: Alanna Dancis, Mayra Lovas, and Allen Sanchez

Meetings for the Data, Infrastructure, and Analysis Committee 

Oct. Meeting:

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.

Materials Library
Oct. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Meeting ID: 834 1821 0724In-Person Location: 

Chamber of Commerce Council Chambers Building  1000 McNutt Road Sunland Park, NM 88063

Zoom Details: 

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/83418210724

Meeting ID: 834 1821 0724

December 6, from 1 to 4 p.m.

In-Person Location: 

CNM Workforce Training Center
5600 Eagle Rock Ave NE, Room 207,
Albuquerque, NM 87113

Zoom Details: 

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/83418210724

Meeting ID: 834 1821 0724

Advisory Council Contact Information

Holly Bacon
Early Childhood Council Coordinator 
Email: holly.bacon@ececd.nm.gov

Executive Order 2023-59

The amended executive order establishing the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council.

View Executive Order

Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council Materials Library