Early Childhood Advisory Council
About the Council
Governor Cooper established the North Carolina Early Childhood Advisory Council (NCECAC) through Executive Order 40 in February 2018.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary, NC Department of Health and Human Services, chairs the Council, which includes 25 members appointed by the Governor from education (from early childhood through higher education), as well as representatives from business, government, research, philanthropy, health care, mental health, social services, and parents.
The purpose of the NCECAC is to promote a shared early childhood action plan driven by measurable goals and impacts for young children and families. The NCECAC will support a vision for action in North Carolina to advance early childhood health, education, and well-being (birth through age 8). It will also fulfill the federal requirements for state advisory councils that support statewide coordination and collaboration among the wide range of early childhood programs in the state.
Council Members
| Name | Title | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Susan Butler-Staub | Instructor of Early Childhood Education | Piedmont Community College |
| Anna Carter | Director, Division of Child Development and Early Education | NC Department of Health and Human Services |
| Dr. Lisa Chapman | System Senior Vice President/Chief Academic Officer | NC Community College System |
| Dr. Mandy Cohen | Secretary | NC Department of Health and Human Services |
| Gerald "Jerry" M. Croan | Senior Fellow | Third Sector Capital Partners, Inc. |
| Terry David | Director of Head Start and Early Head Start Programs | Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project |
| Stephanie Fanjul | Retired | |
| Dr. Laura Gerald | President | Kate B. Reynolds Foundation |
| Eric Hart | Head, Properties Department | Triad Stage |
| Kathy Higgins | CEO | Healthier Generation |
| Velva Jenkins | Vice President of Continuing Education, Economic & Workforce Development | Brunswick Community College |
| Dr. Dore LaForett | Researcher | Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute |
| Dr. Kelly Maxwell | Senior Research Scientist | Child Trends |
| Karen McKnight | Director | Head Start - State Collaboration Office |
| Susan Perry-Manning | Principal Deputy Secretary | NC Department of Health and Human Services |
| Mamie "Bernadette" Rogers | Director/Owner | Smiling Faces Childcare Center |
| Meka Sales | Director of Special Initiatives | Duke Endowment |
| Dr. Pam Shue | Associate Superintendent for Early Childhood Education | NC Department of Public Instruction |
| Janet Singerman | President | Child Care Resources, Inc. |
| Dr. Ray Spain | Superintendent | Warren County Schools |
| Dr. Betsey Tilson | State Health Director | NC Department of Health and Human Services |
| Banu Valladares | Executive Director | Charlotte Bilingual Preschool |
| Kristin Walker | Deputy Director of State Budget | NC Office of State Budget and Management |
| Cindy Watkins | President | NC Partnership for Children |
| Michelle Winstead | Director | New Hanover Department of Social Services |