BUILDING BRIDGES WITH YOUR STATE’S EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL
Early Childhood Advisory Councils (ECACs)
The Improving Head Start Act of 2007 called for the establishment of state early childhood
advisory councils to improve the quality, availability, and coordination of programs and
services for children ages birth to five.
In 2010, an opportunity for federal funding became available to interested states and
territories to support the original 2007 collaborative activities as well as some additional
requirements. Although these 3-year grants for ECACs will end in 2013, many states are
looking to sustain the work through other mechanisms.
The overall responsibility of an ECAC is to lead the development or enhancement of a highquality, comprehensive system of early childhood development and care that ensures
statewide coordination and collaboration among the wide range of early childhood programs
and services in the state. These services and programs include child care, Head Start,
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, preschool, infant, and family programs, as well as
pre-kindergarten programs and services.
Among other activities, the councils are charged with:
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Developing recommendations to increase access to high quality early education and
child care programs
Conducting a periodic needs assessment of the quality and availability of programs
Advising state policymakers on the development of a comprehensive early childhood
data system, a statewide professional development system, and research-based early
learning standards
Become a leader in your state’s ECAC, whether as an official member, part of a workgroup or
as a leader in building relationships at the state and community level.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDER: This link provides you with information on how to contact your
state’s ECAC: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ecd/ecd-map-0
A fact sheet on ECACs is available at: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ecd/state-advisorycouncils
POTENTIAL IDEAS FOR STATE LEADERSHIP TEAMS:
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Present information on Early Brain and Child Development (EBCD) to your state’s ECAC
and develop a strategic plan on how to incorporate EBCD into ECAC activities
Many states’ ECAC are working on workforce development/ professional training and
early learning guidelines. Identify the leader of these initiatives and plan a training on
how to infuse EBCD trainings into these efforts
BUILDING BRIDGES WITH YOUR STATE’S EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL
 Develop a forum for key stakeholders in medical home efforts in your state and your
state’s ECAC to promote collaboration and identify opportunities to infuse EBCD in
both efforts
 Participate in the development of a state data system
TOOLS:
1. Sample Email to ECAC leadership
2. ECAC Assessment Worksheet
3. Foundational PowerPoint + PowerPoint “pathway” for ECAC
Sample Email to ECAC Leadership
Email Subject Heading: An Opportunity to Collaborate with Your AAP Chapter
Dear [insert name],
It is a pleasure to reach out to you as the Building Bridges State Early Brain and Child
Development (EBCD) Team Leaders (consisting of a member of our American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) Chapter and Early Childhood Systems Representative). As you may know, the
AAP has made EBCD a strategic priority. This is an incredible opportunity to ensure that children
are supported early with nurturing environments and relationships that promote health and
success.
We are interested in exploring how we can work together to incorporate EBCD efforts into the
work of our state’s ECAC. In this regard, we would like to plan a meeting or a call to identify
collaborative efforts and opportunities.
Below are the days and times we are available during the next 2 weeks for your consideration.
[insert dates and times]
If you have any questions, please let us know. We are looking forward to speaking with you and
exploring ways that we can work together.
Sincerely,
Names
Contact Information